The FA in England has confirmed their plans to make significant changes to youth football. From the season 2026/27 the FA is rolling out significant changes to grassroots youth football in England, aiming to enhance the playing experience for young players.
Their ‘Future Fit’ plan is coming and it does mean big changes to grassroots youth football. These updates focus on increasing time on the ball, improving playing opportunities and creating a more structured development pathway.
Not everyone is welcoming these changes. Our latest blog interviews two figures from grassroots sport who hold strong opinions on what this could mean for youth football.
Firstly, let’s dig a little deeper into what is happening and why.
Key changes to be introduced
- New 3v3 format for U7s – Designed to maximise 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)
This could potentially 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
“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
We spoke to a grassroots’ coach who offered his opinion on the changes coming our way.
Richard Puncheon is an u12s coach for a team on the south coast and has been a grassroots parent volunteer for over 8 years. Richard feels strongly about these changes and he explains why;
“In essence these new changes from the FA are a good thing but the implementation will take time, especially for younger kids. The children who will benefit initially are the more advanced, elite or academy level players. However 90% of children are not playing at this standard and may get left behind by these changes. Typically at a young age children don’t pass the ball much. Less players to dribble around and pass to will likely benefit the more accomplished players. The less skilled children may struggle to get time on the ball.
Logistically there could be issues with pitch space and scheduling. With fewer players in each team, we would have multiple teams and therefore pitch availability may become an issue, as well as putting more pressure on volunteers having to spread out their time.
Although training drills won’t likely change much, game time for each child may be reduced. For example; operating 3v3 with a squad of 6-8 kids would mean a squad rotation on average every 5-10 minutes.
Goalkeeper positions may also be a concern as this is a position most players don’t naturally gravitate to. With emphasis on being outfield and having lots of touches, then an aspiring young goalkeeper might feel more isolated with this new 3v3 format at a young age.”
Ben Cass, owner of Pitchside Football, also joined us for this discussion and has helped counter some concerns raised by coaches.
Ben Cass has been involved in football for over 20 years, beginning as an IT officer for a local football league before working his way up to chair. Over the years, he has navigated various changes in football formats and has been committed to providing more opportunities for players.
Pitchside Football specialises in alternative football provisions, offering unique formats such as 3v3 football, beach soccer and opportunities for players to compete in stadium settings. This year, they are launching a 5-3-1 tournament format, allowing players to experience different formats in a single competition.
Ben told us; “These modifications from The FA will primarily affect new players entering the system rather than those already playing in established formats. Teams will not be required to reduce their squad sizes, and players will not be forced to play in smaller-sided games if they are already in larger formats. The transition will be gradual, ensuring that no team is suddenly expected to move from a 7-a-side format to a 3v3 setup.
The Football Association (FA) has conducted extensive studies, consulting with other European football organisations before making any decisions. The objective is to create a more structured and developmental pathway for young players, enhancing their technical skills by increasing the number of touches they get on the ball. Smaller-sided formats will encourage more involvement from each player, promoting skill development and increasing goal-scoring opportunities.
One of the key benefits of smaller formats is the improved technical development of players. In a traditional 5-a-side or 7-a-side game, some players may see less action if they are not among the strongest on the team. However, in a 3v3 or 4v4 format, every player is more involved in the game, allowing for greater development of passing, dribbling and overall game awareness. This change is expected to help players transition more smoothly into larger-sided games as they progress in their football journey.”
In response to critics who have raised concerns that the changes may limit opportunities for players, fearing that smaller teams could lead to fewer chances for participation - Ben reassured us that squad sizes will remain unchanged. On match days, instead of playing a single 5v5 game, squads will be split into smaller groups, allowing for more matches within the same team structure. This ensures that all players continue to receive game time while improving their skills in a more engaging format.
Infrastructure and pitch availability have also been points of concern, with some questioning whether there will be enough space to accommodate multiple smaller-sided games. However, Ben explained that existing pitches can be adapted to host multiple games simultaneously without requiring additional facilities. Matches will be played across existing five-a-side pitches, utilising small goals or pop-up goals, which will keep the need for new infrastructure minimal.
Another topic of interest was the role of goalkeepers in these new formats. Ben explained; “while traditional 3v3 games do not typically include goalkeepers, the changes may introduce new opportunities for young players to develop their skills in goal. Since fewer players initially choose to specialise as goalkeepers at younger ages, these changes could help them become more technically skilled, particularly with their footwork and ball distribution. This would align with modern football trends, where goalkeepers are expected to play an active role in team build-up play.”
“Ultimately, while change can be challenging, history has shown that previous football format transitions—such as the introduction of 9v9—have been beneficial for player development. By embracing these adjustments, youth football can continue to evolve, ensuring that young players receive the best opportunities to improve their skills and enjoy the game.”
To watch the full interview with Ben Cass visit our YouTube channel.
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