If you haven’t been on tour to Europe before it is important for us to explain that the age groups in Europe work differently to here in the UK. UK age groups are calculated on school years e.g. 1st September to 31st August, whereas in Europe they are done on calendar year e.g. 1st January to 31st December. 

To play in the correct age group, this means you may have to play in the European U11 age group, instead of the UK U10 age group for example. 

Many tournaments allow dispensation for up to 3 players that are born before 1st January, but if you have more than 3 players born between September and December, you would have to play in the higher age group. 

This is very normal and does not mean your players will be physically undersized or have lower ability, and we have not encountered issues with this happening.  

Please read on for more information on age groups, formats and dispensation depending on which country you are touring to.  

Holland

Boys Age GroupFormatBirth Dates
U74-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2014
U87-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2013
U97-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2012
U107-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2011
U117 or 8-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2010
U128-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2009
U1311-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2008
U1411-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2007
U1511-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2006
U1611-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2005
U1711-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2004
U1911-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2003

Dispensation for players born between September and December:

Easter Open – 3 players in the squad
Dutch Easter Cup  3 players on the pitch at one time. No squad limit
Dutch Youth Soccer Cup – 3 players in the squad
Juliana Malden – 3 players in the squad 

Belgium

Boys Age GroupFormatBirth Dates
U85-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2013
U95-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2012
U107-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2011
U117-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2010
U1211-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2009
U1311-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2008
U1411-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2007
U1511-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2006

Dispensation for players born between September and December:

Hageland Cup – For 11-a-side, 2 players in the squad. For 7-a-side, 1 player in the squad. For 5-a-side, no dispensation.

Germany

Boys Age GroupFormatBirth Dates
U97-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2012
U107-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2011
U117-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2010
U12 & U139-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2008
U14 & U1511-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2006
U16 & U1711-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2004
U18 & U1911-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2002

Dispensation for players born between September and December:

No dispensations at any tournaments

Spain

Boys Age GroupFormatBirth Dates
U87-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2013
U97-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2012
U107-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2011
U117-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2010
U1211-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2009
U1311-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2008
U1411-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2007
U1511-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2006
U1611-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2005
U1711-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2004
U1911-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2003

Dispensation for players born between September and December:

No dispensations at any tournaments

Italy

Boys Age GroupFormatBirth Dates
U95-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2012
U107-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2011
U117-a-side Born on or after 1st January 2010
U129-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2009
U139-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2008
U1411-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2007
U1511-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2006
U1611-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2005
U1711-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2004
U18 & U1911-a-sideBorn on or after 1st January 2002

Dispensation for players born between September and December: 

San Marino Cup – 3 “overage” players on the pitch at once. No squad limit
Roma International Cup  No dispensations