Future Fit - The FA In England Finally Confirms All The Rumours Are True!
Following on from our FA Update: Changes Coming to Youth Football in England blog post back in December in response to all the rumours rumbling around the grassroots football community, The FA in England has finally made their announcement!
Their Future Fit plan is coming and here's what it means to grassroots youth football.
From the season after next, 2026-27, the FA is rolling out significant changes to grassroots youth football in England, aiming to enhance the playing experience for young players. These updates focus on increasing time on the ball, improving playing opportunities, and creating a more structured development pathway.
Why Are These Changes Happening?
The FA has spent two years consulting with coaches, clubs, and experts to assess how young players develop in the game. A study of over 400 grassroots matches from U6 to U14 levels in England, combined with research from other European nations, has helped shape these decisions. How will these changes impact player development in the long term?
Key Changes to Be Introduced
- New 3v3 format for U7s – Designed to maximize engagement, encourage more touches on the ball, and provide a smoother introduction to the game.
- Delayed progression through formats – Each playing format will now be played for an additional year before transitioning, meaning:
-
- 7v7 will begin at U10 (currently U9)
- 9v9 will begin at U12 (currently U11)
- 11v11 will begin at U14 (currently U13)
Will this help players better develop their skills before moving to a full-sized pitch?
- Alignment with school football – Primary school-aged children will play smaller-sided games with simplified rules before progressing to 9v9 in secondary school.
How will this impact participation in both school and grassroots football?
- Rules tailored for younger players – The FA has already made changes to game restarts for U7s-U9s to keep the ball in play longer and more age-appropriate rules will be introduced.
What other rule changes could benefit young players?
The Transition
To support clubs, coaches, and parents with these changes over the next 18 months, The FA will continue to support and educate on the new changes to be introduced so everyone is fully prepared for the start of the 2026-27 season.
This will include a series of regional roadshows and online webinar events. along with the launch of the Future Fit: Digital Content Hub, which will provide ongoing updates and practical guidance offering further insights into the new formats.
Thankfully if your team has recently moved up to a larger team format, you won't be made to step back down. The transition will be staggered (see below), so anyone about to move up will be delayed to fall in line with the changes and be ready for the 2026-27 season.
“We’re excited about these new changes, which follow a two-year consultation with the grassroots game. Our approach is about evolution, not revolution—helping to increase engagement, physical activity, skill development, and the volume of technical actions for every player.”
FA Director of Football Development, James Kendall
To help communicate the upcoming grassroots football plans The FA are running an online event on 11 March 2025 featuring key experts who will be discussing the changes. Additionally, County FA Roadshows will take place across all regions from 13 March to 4 April, offering in-person insights into the changes, their purpose, and next steps.
Thoughts?
What do you think about these changes? How might they affect your team or club? Will the transition be straightforward, or will there be challenges to address? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion.
Stay updated by visiting the Future Fit: Digital Content Hub, where new information will be shared regularly leading up to the 2026-27 season.
