Tournament rules

A. General conditions

Category

The tournament is reserved for U-11 juniors, players born between 01.01.2015 and 31.12.2016.

Player list

The player list must be presented to the jury 15 minutes before the first match. In the event of a team’s absence, a fine of CHF 400 may be imposed.

UGS Champions Cup qualification

The first two teams of the qualifying tournament will be eligible to participate in the UGS Champions Cup.

If one of the first two teams of the qualifying tournament refuses or is unable to participate in the UGS Champions Cup, the team ranked third will be offered the vacant place. If this team also refuses, the opportunity will be offered to the next ranked team, and so on until a team accepts to take part in the competition.

Conditions for UGS Champions Cup qualified teams

Participation in the UGS Champions Cup 2026, on Saturday 28 February 2026 and Sunday 1 March 2026, is offered to the two qualified teams, including lunch meals.
However, each team must host a foreign team and provide, no later than Monday 17 November 2025, a list of eight families willing to accommodate two or more children per family.

Registration fee

The registration fee is CHF 350 per team and must be paid by bank transfer before the qualifying tournament day, Sunday 19 October 2025.
It includes meal vouchers for 10 players and two coaches (12 meal vouchers in total). Any additional meal will be charged CHF 16.

Trophy / Challenge

The UGS Champions Cup is a challenge to be won three times within five years in order to keep the trophy permanently.
The winning team must put its trophy back into play the following year in Geneva.

B. Equipment and materials

Players’ equipment

Jersey, shorts, socks, shin guards, and futsal-appropriate shoes. Distinctive bibs for substitute players will be provided by the tournament organizers. If necessary, the visiting team will wear the bibs.

Ball

Official futsal ball, according to the match category (360 g).

C. Playing surface and playing time

Playing time

All matches are played in a single 12-minute period, without changing sides.

Dimensions

Below are the dimensions of the playing surface:

• Football goals (5 × 2 meters)
• Length: min. 25 meters, max. 42 meters
• Width: min. 16 meters, max. 25 meters
• Substitution zone (5 meters): along the touchlines in front of the team benches

D. Game rules

Number of players

5 players (4 field players and 1 goalkeeper).
Minimum 3 players are required to start a match.
The match is stopped if there are fewer than 3 players on the field.

Substitutions

• A substitution can be made at any time, even if the ball is in play, except during a timeout.

• The substituted player leaves the field through their team’s substitution zone.

• No referee authorization is required to leave or enter the field.

• The substitute may only enter once the player being replaced has left.

• The substitution is complete when the substitute has fully entered the field and has returned their bib to the substituted player (or to the third referee if necessary).

• Once substituted, the player becomes a substitute and the substitute becomes a player.

• The referee may refuse entry to a substitute if the equipment is incorrect.

• A substitute may not resume play directly (throw-in, corner, penalty, etc.) before following the official substitution procedure.

• A substituted player may return to play later.

• All substitutes are under the authority of the referees, whether they are called to play or not.

Ranking / Determination of the winner

The tournament includes 24 teams divided into 6 groups of 4 teams for the preliminary round (Saturday 28 February 2026). Each team plays against all other teams in its group. Points are awarded as follows:

• Win: 3 points
• Draw: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points

In case of a tie, rankings are determined by:

1. Goal difference
2. Head-to-head result
3. Most goals scored
4. Penalty shootout (3 per team, then sudden death)

On Sunday 1 March 2026, classification matches will be played according to the results from the previous day.

In case of a tie in the knockout stages:

1. A 3-minute overtime is played, with each team playing with one player less (3 field players + 1 goalkeeper).
2. If the tie persists, teams take penalty kicks: 3 per team, then sudden death if the tie continues.

Goalkeeper rules

• Single touch in own half

  • Once the goalkeeper plays the ball in their own half, they may not touch it again until an opponent touches the ball or it leaves play.

• Respect the 4-second limit

  • In their half, the goalkeeper must play the ball within 4 seconds when controlling it (by hand or foot).

• No hands after a voluntary pass

  • The goalkeeper may not catch the ball with their hands if a teammate has intentionally passed it to them in their half.

• Allowed exceptions

  • If an opponent touches the ball or if the ball leaves play, the goalkeeper may play the ball again in their half.

  • In the opponent’s half, the goalkeeper may touch the ball any number of times (but not with the hands).

Team fouls

Each foul is punished with a direct free kick.

Tackles

Regular tackles are allowed to intercept a pass, block a shot, or recover the ball, as long as only the ball is touched and there is no contact with the opponent.
Irregular or overly forceful tackles will be penalized at the referee’s discretion.

Offside

The offside rule does not apply.

Free kicks

Distance of 5 meters between the ball and any opponent.
4-second rule applies from the referee’s whistle.

Penalty kick

A foul committed inside the 6-meter area (penalty area) results in a penalty from 6 meters.

Corner kick and goalkeeper restart

Balls that go out behind the goal line result in a corner kick or a goalkeeper restart.

Throw-in

The throw-in is taken with the feet.
The ball must be placed on the touchline and be stationary.
A distance of 5 meters must be maintained by all opponents during the throw-in.
The 4-second rule applies (referee visual signal).

Ball hitting the ceiling

If the ball touches the ceiling, play is restarted with a throw-in by the opposing team at the touchline near where the ball hit the ceiling.

Sanctions

E. Disputes and jury

Responsibilities

The UGS Champions Cup association does not provide any insurance. It declines all responsibility in case of accidents, theft, or other damages occurring during the tournament. Each team is responsible for its own equipment.

Disputes

All cases of disputes not covered by the regulations will be resolved by the jury.