Which players are eligible for U14 in 2026-27?
Rule- USA
- US Youth Soccer
- Under 14
- Club soccer
- IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27
- 2026-27 season
- Coaches
From the 2026-27 season, US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and AYSO form age groups on an August 1 - July 31 cycle, replacing calendar birth year.
- U14 (2026-27): born August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013
- U13: born August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014
- U15: born August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012
Eligibility goes by date of birth, not school grade.
Playing up and down:
- In US Youth Soccer-run competitions (National League, National Championships, Presidents Cup), players may play up under competition rules, but no play-downs or age variances are allowed.
- State associations may grant age variances for state-sanctioned play under USYS Policy Rule 105.
- State associations can also set different age-group dates for their own programs. USYS recommends the August 1 - July 31 dates, and all USYS regional and national competitions use them.
The Olympic Development Program (ODP) still uses January 1 - December 31 birth years.
Added 21 Oct 2026