The FA has announced a raft of changes to youth football formats, which aim to improve the experience for young players – giving them more time on the ball, more time on the pitch and increased physical activity levels.
From the 2026-27 season:
From the 2026-27 season:
- There will be a new 3v3 entry format for the youngest players in the pathway at under-sevens level, fielding three players on each side, to maximise engagement and provide the best introduction to football
- Each format will be played one year later as players transition through the pathway, including 11v11 which will move from U13s to U14s level
- There will be greater alignment with schools with children playing smaller formats with simplified rules throughout primary school, before progressing to 9v9 and more complex rules at secondary school.
An FA spokesperson explains: "Over the past two years, we have been working with our stakeholders across the grassroots game to explore the future of youth football, alongside the physical and technical impact of our current formats on young players.
"This comprehensive consultation process has been enhanced by a study into playing formats for youth players in other European nations and is complimented with our own research and testing within the grassroots game across England.
"In partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, we have studied more than 400 grassroots games, from U6-U14 level, which has allowed us to better understand the technical and physical returns of different playing formats for young players and the impact of proposed adjustments."
Read the full story.
