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
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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.
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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?
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13 comments
Don’t try and fix something that isn’t broken I say
Youl need more coaches which is a struggle as it is.
Will have to split the teams we already have down once again who will coach the others?
Hopefully whoever has the final say over this employs common sense (which is what worries me). This needs to be phased in as my team will just be starting their second season as 9v9 so would be detrimental to their development, in my opinion, if they then had to revert back to 7v7 or 8v8. Also how do the governing body expect the increase on the required number of volunteer coaches to be met by clubs? Our club currently has 4x 7v7 teams maxed out with players in each team and it was a massive struggle to get the required number of coaches needed. We all know it’s a massive ask for somebody to do it on their own whilst also juggling work and family commitments so most teams have a least 1 helper/2nd coach. If the number of teams needed to increase due to less players per team then I cannot see how the required number of coaches will be achieved. It will definitely increase the profit made on coaching courses which I am pretty sure won’t be reduced in cost will it.
Needs to be phased in through a number of seasons. There is no point in just u11 girls 7v7 being made to continue at 7v7 when coaches are already prepping them now for next seasons change to 9v9. So like the heading and dribble ins it needs to be a phased approach.