The Youth Football Cup is an annual football tournament designed for students from international schools and clubs across the globe. This prestigious event not only provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their football skills but also fosters camaraderie, cultural exchange, and personal growth.
Dates: 5-12 August, 2025
Location: London, United Kingdom
Venue: Hosted at premier football facilities in London
Accommodation: Westminster University’s Harrow Campus.
Structure
The competition is structured into group stages, followed by knockout rounds, and concludes with a thrilling final.
Each group consists of 4 teams from the same age category.
Team Composition
5 a side tournament (Under 12 / Boys only)
Each team consists of 7-8 players
(5 on the field, 3 substitutes)
Match Duration
2 halves of 20 minutes
5-minute half-time and up to 5 minutes extra time
Match Duration
Team Composition
7 a side tournament (Under 14 / Boys & Girls)
Each team consists of 10 players
(7 on the field, 3 substitutes)
Team Composition
9 a side tournament (Under 18 Boys only)
Each team consists of 13-14 players
(9 on the field, 4-5 substitutes)
Match Duration
2 halves of 25 minutes
5-minute half-time and up to 5 minutes extra time
Qualification
Group Stage
Group Stage
Teams will earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.
In the event of a tie, goal difference will determine ranking.
If still tied, head-to-head results will be used.
The top 2 teams from each group based on points will advance to the knock-out stage.
Knockout Rounds
Qualifying teams will play each other in the knock out rounds to secure a place in quarter finals.
If a knockout match ends in a draw, there will be a 10-minute extra time period, followed by penalties if necessary. (3 penalties per team; sudden death if still tied)
Knockout Round
Finals
Finals
Eight qualifying teams will compete in the quarterfinals, with the four winners advancing to the semifinals. The victors from the semifinals will then face off in the final match of the tournament.
If a match ends in a draw, a 10-minute extra time period will be played. If the match is still tied, it will proceed to a penalty shootout, consisting of 5 penalties per team, followed by sudden death if necessary.
Cards
Yellow cards will result in a 5-minute suspension Red cards will result in the player being removed for the remainder of the match.
Substitution
Each team is allowed a maximum of five substitutions per match.
Player Categories
U12 (10-11 years old boys)
Matches played on reduced-size pitches with smaller goals. 5-a-side format with rolling substitutions. Emphasis on participation and development rather than competition.
U14 (12-13 years old Boys & Girls)
Matches played on reduced-size pitches with smaller goals. 7-a-side format with rolling substitutions. Increasing competitiveness, but still focused on development and team play.
U18 (14-17 years old Boys)
Matches played on larger pitches with larger goals.
9-a-side format with 3 substitutes.
Competitive matches aimed at identifying top youth talent.
Tournament Day 1
Group Stage
Group A
Team 1
Team 2
Team 3
Team 4
Group b
Team 5
Team 6
Team 7
Team 8
Group c
Team 9
Team 10
Team 11
Team 12
Group D
Team 13
Team 14
Team 15
Team 16
Group e
Team 17
Team 18
Team 19
Team 20
Group f
Team 21
Team 22
Team 23
Team 24
Group g
Team 25
Team 26
Team 27
Team 28
Group h
Team 29
Team 30
Team 31
Team 32
Knockouts
Match 1
- Group A winner
vs
- Group B runner-up
Match 2
- Group B winner
vs
- Group A runner-up
Match 3
- Group C winner
vs
- Group D runner-up
Match 4
- Group D winner
vs
- Group C runner-up
Match 5
- Group E winner
vs
- Group F runner-up
Match 6
- Group F winner
vs
- Group E runner-up
Match 7
- Group G winner
vs
- Group H runner-up
Match 8
- Group H winner
vs
- Group G runner-up
Tournament Day 2
Quarter Final
- QF 1:Match 1 winner vs Match 3 winner
- QF2:Match 2 winner vs Match 4 winner
- QF3:Match 5 winner vs Match 7 winner
- QF4:Match 6 winner vs Match 8 winner
Semi Final
- QF 1 winner vs QF 3 winner
- QF 2 winner vs QF 4 winner
Playoff
3rd Place Playoff: Losers of the semifinals will compete for 3rd place
5th Place Playoff: Losers of the Knockouts will compete for 5th place
Final
Winners of the semifinals will compete for the championship.
Beyond The Tournament
While football is at the heart of the Youth Football Cup, the experience extends far beyond the pitch. Over the course of the week, participants will explore the wonders of London through a series of exciting excursions.
Discover Iconic Landmarks: From Buckingham Palace to Big Ben, students will immerse themselves in London’s rich history and culture.
Thrilling Adventures: Enjoy a day at Thorpe Park, one of the UK’s top theme parks.
Football Enthusiasts: Take guided tours of world-renowned football stadiums such as Tottenham or Arsenal Emirates Stadium. You may even get the chance to watch a live football match at one of these iconic venues.
Cultural Enrichment: Visit world-class museums like the British Museum and the Natural History Museum, and explore the vibrant arts and culture scene of London.
Optional Trips: You may choose to extend your stay and explore famous cities such as Oxford and Cambridge.