FA Update: Changes Coming to Youth Football in England
The Football Association (FA) has announced that changes are coming to youth football in England, set to be implemented from the 2026/27 season. These changes aim to enhance young players' experiences, promoting both enjoyment and skill development.
There are lots of rumours about what the detail might mean, including 3v3 or 4v4 being brought in for Under 7s and Under 8s, and 11-a-side not starting until Under 15. Here's what they've said so far about the future of grassroots football...
Why Change is Coming
Over the past two years, the FA has conducted extensive consultations with stakeholders, including County FAs, clubs, leagues, and parents. By examining best practices from over 40 European nations and partnering with Liverpool John Moores University, the FA has gained valuable insights into the benefits of evolving youth football formats.
James Kendall, the FA’s Director of Football Development, emphasized that the focus is on evolution, not revolution:
“By introducing a new entry format for young players and adjusting age group formats, we aim to ensure youth football in England remains an enjoyable, developmental, and inclusive experience for all.”
Key Ambitions for Grassroots Football
The FA’s overarching goals include:
- Creating a game every child loves: Encouraging lifelong participation by making football enjoyable and accessible.
- Maximising activity and skill development: More touches of the ball, increased pitch time, and engaging formats for all young players.
- Ensuring safety and inclusivity: Offering a welcoming environment where every child feels supported.
Planned Updates for 2026/27
-
New Entry-Level Formats for Youngest Players
The youngest age groups will benefit from:- Increased time on the ball.
- More varied football experiences.
- Greater pitch time to develop technical and physical skills.
- Adjustments to Existing Age Group Formats
The FA will refine playing formats to better suit the developmental needs of each age group.
Backed by Research and Testing
The FA’s decisions are informed by a two-year study of over 400 grassroots games (U6-U14) and insights from stakeholders. Key findings highlighted the positive impacts of increased ball touches and game variety on young players’ development.
By comparing youth football structures across Europe, the FA has identified innovative approaches to implement in England, ensuring their football remains world-class.
BazookaGoals from ChildrensFootball.com
Next Steps
The FA will continue to work closely with the grassroots community to ensure smooth implementation. Here’s what’s planned:
- Early 2025: Detailed updates shared with stakeholders.
- Spring 2025: Nationwide briefings for coaches, clubs, and parents to explain the changes.
- 18-Month Transition: Guidance and support will be provided to help everyone adapt to the new formats.
What This Means for You
- For Parents: These changes are designed to make football more engaging and rewarding for your child, focusing on fun and development.
- For Coaches: The updates are to help you nurture players’ technical and physical skills more effectively.
What Do You Think?
Should England follow the lead of the FA of Wales of the Scottish FA in implementing smaller sided games like 4v4 with no goalkeeper at the youngest age groups with smaller goals? Should the introduction of 11-a-side football be pushed back to older age groups?
What do you think should be changed? Or should everything just continue as it is?
UPDATE - New FA announcement February 2025: Future Fit - The FA In England Finally Confirms All The Rumours Are True!
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21 comments
The announcement today confirming the changes for season 2026/27 is simply awful. By not actually providing any details (pitch sizes? goal sizes?) one is left to think that they’ve still not actually resolved any of that – otherwise why not provide the details? And if they’ve not resolved, then how do they know if it’s a good idea.
3×3 at U7 is impractical. You’d probably be looking for a squad of 5 committed players – if you had 6 then they’re only going to be getting half the game time each. At present, 5×5 at U7 would typically involve a squad of 7 or 8. At grassroots level, U7 managers are typically dads, doing it because their child is in the team. For every 100 U7 players, at present, you’re looking for 14 managers (squad size of 7). This change means that for those 100 players, you’re now looking for 20 managers (squad size of 5). Where are those 6 extra managers coming from because it’s so hard finding people willing to do everything that is involved at the moment! And that applies at all the age groups this affects – those U13s are going to need more managers if they’re playing 9×9.
Perhaps the FA could acknowledge that without the managers, FEWER children will be playing football as a result of these changes?
What’s the size of the pitch for 3×3? Size of goals? Extra costs and hassle (who’s got space to lock away even more goals?).
I’ve been in grassroots football for many years. I know full well that towards the end of the season, a 7×7 pitch is starting to get too small for Under 10s. But we’re now expecting to play U11s on there? And if the mini-soccer goals remain, a large U11 (or nearly U12 by the end of the season) is going to fill that goal.
And for all the talk about how we’re working with kids, the vast majority of which will never play any form of professional football, I’ll point out that academies don’t apply any of these rules at present and most certainly are not going to be changing what they do in line with this. First hand knowledge there…
The effort involved in running a league is getting more and more onerous. Perhaps my fault for being involved in a very large (and successful) league but this is the last straw for me. I’ll see out season 25/26 and that’s me done. Maybe others will step in but I doubt it – clubs find it hard to recruit managers, and committee members, and it’s doubly hard for leagues to recruit volunteers.
The silence from the FA is very frustrating we were promised more news early 2025 we are now late February and still nothing. This is a huge issue for the bigger clubs who need to know NOW to be able to plan the changes. Pitch sizes right number of pitches for each format etc dont happen overnight takes time and money to sort. All for change when its needed but this feel like change for the sake of it, 99.9% of kids will never play academy football so why change grassroots to benefit what academies are already doing. Pitch marking on 3G’s another concern and worry clubs will need to sort and of course pay for. Come on FA get your act together and share the info and listen to genuine feedback not just what a few people advise you that they want.
Just reiterating what others have said, at present we do not have enough pitches, referees, and coaches. Nor do most junior clubs have the finances for these changes. Why try to fix something that’s not broken. If the FA wants to help grassroots football try recruiting and training referees and try putting some money into the game. I have been a coach for 30 years no-one has asked me about these changes. I hope they get it right
Positive. More time on the ball
Negatives. Less players playing, not enough coaches, not enough match officials, more expensive to purchase smaller goals and flags, not enough pitches. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. Plus 11 a side at U15s is too late.
Terrible idea putting massive strain on grass roots clubs with even more volunteers needed when it’s already a massive challenge to recruit new coaches per each new age group. Essentially will limit squad sizes to 7/8 until U11s which presumably need 2 coaches given FA’s 6 child : 1 adult guidance. Leaves 4/5 players not getting or very large match day squads with fewer minutes on pitch to share between players.
Would be far better to bring 7v7 as Under 8s (squad size 12) and leave 9v9 progression at U11/U12s. Ridiculous to move to 11v11 as U15s too late for players to get used to bigger pitches and need for more stamina.