1. General Rules
1.1. Royal Cup will be played in accordance with the applicable sections of FIFA’s rules. In matters of interpretation of FIFA’s rules, the English text shall prevail.
1.2. The matches will be determined by the official draw on the evening of the arrival day.
1.3. Teams play each other in a single round.
1.4. If a team is disqualified or withdraws, all results will be changed to 0-3 (W.O) in favor of the opponent.
1.5. The offside rule only applies in the 11 a side format.
2. Group Stage
2.1. Teams are divided into groups of four teams, depending on the number of teams in the category.
2.2. Team rankings will be determined according to their points. Three points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss.
2.3. If two or more teams finish with the same number of points, the ranking will be decided as follows:
2.3.1. 1st – Goal difference;
2.3.2. 2nd – Higher number of goals scored;
2.3.3. 3rd – Results between teams (games between both) with the same number of points;
2.3.4. 4th – Higher number of wins;
2.3.5. 5th – The team with the lowest average age.
3. Play-off Round
3.1. The teams finishing 1st and 2nd in the group stage will participate in Play-Off A round, the teams finishing 3rd and 4th in the Play-Off B round.
3.2. Play-off B is planned for players who were not successful in groups to continue their struggle. The winner of Play-off A will be declared the champion of the tournament.
3.3. A tied game will be decided by penalty kicks from the penalty mark according to FIFA’s rules with a series of 5 kickers on each team (Without extra time).
3.4. Players who are substitutes once normal time has ended cannot take penalties and coaches must notify the referee of the players who will take the first five penalties.
3.5. In the event of teams being tied at the end of the 5 penalty rounds, the winner will be determined after one team scores and the other fails in its turn.
3.6. If all kickers have already taken their kicks and the match is still undecided, the order restarts with the same players.
3.7. In the event of a team being disqualified or withdrawing during the playoff matches, the opposing team will advance in the competition.
4. Tournament Formats by Age Groups
4.1. Age Categories | Match Format | Max. Substitutes | Match Balls | Group Stage Times | Playoffs Times
4.1.1. U9 (Born in 2015) | 7 a side | 5 players | Nr.4 | 2×20 min. | 2×25 min.
4.1.2. U10 (Born in 2014) | 7 a side | 5 players | Nr.4 | 2×20 min. | 2×25 min.
4.1.3. U11 (Born in 2013) | 7 a side | 5 players | Nr.4 | 2×20 min. | 2×25 min.
4.1.4. U12 (Born in 2012) | 7 a side | 5 players | Nr.4 | 2×20 min. | 2×25 min.
4.1.5. U13 (Born in 2011) | 9 a side | 6 players | Nr.4 | 2×20 min. | 2×25 min.
4.1.6. U14 (Born in 2010) | 11 a side | 7 players | Nr.5 | 2×25 min. | 2×30 min.
4.1.7. U15 (Born in 2009) | 11 a side | 7 players | Nr.5 | 2×25 min. | 2×30 min.
4.2. The half-time for all matches is 5 minutes.
5. Players
5.1. The maximum and minimum number of registered players per team is:
5.1.1. 7 a side: Minimum of 12 and maximum of 15 players.
5.1.2. 9 a side: Minimum of 15 and maximum of 18 players.
5.1.3. 11 a side: Minimum of 18 and maximum of 21 players.
5.2. All players must be able to prove their age through the original identity document and/or passport, with a photo and date of birth, will be checked before the matches.
5.3. All players must register with their jersey numbers. Number changes require approval from tournament management.
5.4. In-game substitutions, players must follow the following rules:
5.4.1. A substituted player can re-enter the game.
5.4.2. Substitutions can be made without the game needing to be stopped, provided the referee gives permission.
5.4.3. The substitution will be made at the halfway line.
5.4.4. The player can only enter the field when their teammate is out of the legal playing area and only after the referee gives permission.
5.4.5. In goalkeeper substitutions, the game must be stopped and the referee informed.
6. Match Sheet
6.1. Teams must submit their match sheet 30 minutes before each match.
6.2. Players’ jersey numbers and ages will be checked by the tournament official before the match.
6.3. Players not on the match sheet can’t enter the game.
6.4. All players registered for the tournament must be on the match sheet at least once.
7. Equipment
7.1. Teams must bring their own jerseys and must have at least 2 different colors.
7.2. Each jersey must have a number on the back. If the jerseys are not numbered, they must be written on the back in a visible manner.
7.3. The number of players on the match sheet must match the jersey numbers. Two players from the same team cannot wear the same number in the match.
7.4. If teams wear the same uniform color, the home team (listed on the left in the match table) has priority to keep their uniform, and the other team needs to change or, as a last resort, use vests.
7.5. Shin guards are mandatory in all matches.
7.6. Athletes may use rubber cleats. Metal or aluminum cleats are not allowed.
7.7. Match balls will be provided by the organization. The organization does not provide balls for team warm-ups before matches.
8. Goal Kick
8.1. The goal kick will always be taken from the ground, with the ball placed at any point that defines the penalty area.
8.2. In a goal kick, the ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and moves clearly (it does not need to leave the penalty area).
8.3. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked.
8.4. Teammates can be inside the penalty area at the time of the goal kick.
8.5. If opponents enter the penalty area before the ball is kicked, the kick is retaken.
9. Other Rules
9.1. For every kick-off from the halfway line, a minimum of two touches on the ball is required for a goal to be valid (i.e., a direct shot from the halfway line is not allowed unless the ball touches someone).
9.2. All throw-ins are taken with the hands, and all corner kicks are taken with the feet.
9.3. Passing the ball back to the goalkeeper and him catching the ball with his hands is not allowed.
9.4. All other major refereeing rules will be applied in addition to the aforementioned points.