Under 7 Football Guide
Under 7 is the new entry point to the FA's 2026/27 Future Fit pathway, played as 3v3 in a carousel format with no goalkeepers — every child gets more touches, more decisions and a friendlier introduction to football.
From 2026/27 the U7 entry format is 3v3 (down from 5v5). Smaller pitches, smaller goals, no goalkeepers, more touches and a friendlier introduction to football.
U7 Overview
Player Development Focus
From the 2026/27 season, U7 is the entry point for the formal pathway and uses a new 3v3 carousel format (replacing 5v5). With only three players per side, every child is involved in almost every moment — more touches, more decisions, more time to try things and make mistakes without pressure. The emphasis is on fun, enjoyment and developing fundamental movement and ball skills. There is no goalkeeper, every player is an active outfield player, and matchdays focus on participation rather than results.
Game Information & Rules
Equipment & Safety
- Shin pads: Mandatory and must be fully covered by knee-high socks.
- Footwear: Appropriate footwear is required. No metal studs on artificial grass pitches (3G/4G/5G). Moulded studs or astro football boots are recommended.
- Clothing: A full shirt, shorts and socks set is not mandatory at this age, but appropriate sportswear is sensible. There are no goalkeepers in 3v3 so a separate goalkeeper kit is not needed. Hooded tops are not permitted during matches.
- Jewellery/watches: For safety/FA rules, all items of jewellery, including watches and earrings, must be removed before a match. Taping or covering jewellery is not an acceptable alternative.
- Goals: 3v3 uses small 4 ft x 2.5 ft goals. Cones can be used as goal markers if portable goals are not yet available.
Laws of the Game / Offside Rules
- No offside rule.
- No goalkeepers — all six players are active outfield players.
- Game restarts are simplified to keep the ball in play for longer.
- No formal match official — a DBS-checked, safeguarding-trained adult acts as a Pitch Facilitator on each pitch, supporting players to manage their own game.
Substitutions
No substitutes. Every player is on the pitch for every game they're part of — squad organisation rotates players across the carousel rather than swapping in and out mid-game.
Playing Time & Competition Limits
Each child gets between 30 and 40 minutes of total playing time across a matchday carousel of 6–10 minute games.
Competition Structure & Philosophy
Carousel format — multiple short games run simultaneously rather than one big fixture. Recommended matchday squad size is 6 to 12 players. Results are not formally recorded and there are no league tables at U7. U7s can take part in up to three festival/trophy events per season for a taste of competitive play in a fun environment.
Disclaimer
The information provided in these templates is based on The FA's published guidelines for youth and adult football in England. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, rules and regulations may vary by county FA, league, or competition. Coaches and clubs should always check with their league or governing body for the most up-to-date and applicable rules.
These resources are provided by tactico for guidance and educational purposes only.
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