What can a youth competition change from the standard Laws?

The Laws of the Game let national associations and competitions modify these "organizational" areas for youth, veterans, disability and grassroots soccer:

• size of the field
• size, weight and material of the ball
• goal size (width between the posts and height of the crossbar)
• length of the two (equal) halves, and of extra time
• number of players
• use of return substitutes (players re-entering)
• use of temporary dismissals (sin bins) for some or all cautions
• requirements for the captain's armband

For all levels, competitions can also set:

• the number of substitutes (in youth soccer, the national association, confederation or FIFA sets the maximum)
• additional permanent concussion substitutions
• the "Only the captain" guidelines, which become compulsory for competitions starting on or after July 1, 2027

Everything else, including fouls and misconduct, offside, restarts and the new 2026-27 countdowns, is the same Law as at any level. Before the match, know your competition's halves, ball size, substitution rules, and whether sin bins are in use.