Where rising talents meet elite competition.

This inaugural tournament is designed not only to deliver high-level competition for participating teams, but also to serve as a talent identification platform. Outstanding players will be selected into All-Star Teams and brought together at least once every two months for specialized training sessions conducted by invited national team coaches and federation officials. This initiative aims to nurture exceptional talent, enhance player development, and create a clear pathway to higher levels of the game.

1. Tournament Rules

The tournament jury (Dispute & Resolution) is comprised of:
Referees Coordinator, Field Coordinator and 3 officials from the tournament office.
The jury has control and is responsible, that the tournament is played in a sportsmanlike manner. They deal with the protests, the interpretation of the rules and all matters of doubt.
The decisions of the jury cannot be appealed.

2. Age limits 2026

• U15 (9:9) born 1.1.2011 or later
• U13 (9:9) born 1.1.2013 or later
• U11 (7:7) born 1.1.2015 or later
• U9 (7:7) born 1.1.2016 or later
• U7 (5:5) born 1.1.2018 or later

3. Age requirements etc

Any player can participate on two teams from the same club, as long as the age limit is kept. The two teams must not be in the same category.
Any girls can participate in category for boys as long as they are the correct age.
The Kickstart Elite Cup rules do not prevent the use of guest players or prevent multiple clubs from putting together one or more teams.

4. Name of participants - Identification

There must be filled in or handed over a participant list before the start of the tournament.
After check-in you cannot add extra players to your participant list.
A player will be eligible to play when listed on the team list and the Kickstart Elite Cup participant fee has been paid.
Player identification (with photo) must be taken to the check-in and to each game and shown to a jury member or a representative for the jury at any time it may be requested.
At the check-in the ID is cross checked with the participant list and age control will be done.
There will be random checks of player identification and player eligibility during the tournament.
It can result in a lost game if a team uses an ineligible player or if there is not sufficient identification for a player.

The jury decides what a satisfactory identification is.

5. Length of play

Group Stage/Qualifying/Playoffs & Finals
U7 = 2 x 10 mins
U9 , U11 = 2 x 20 mins
U13 = 2 x 25 mins
U15 = 2 x 30 mins

6. Division into groups

The teams are divided into groups of three or four or five teams with all teams playing against each other.
Teams are then placed according to points won.
• 3 points for a win
• 1 point for a tie
• No points for a defeat

If two or more teams achieve the same point score, their placing order is decided as follows:
• The goal difference in all games.
• The highest number of goals scored.
• Points in their games between each other.
• Drawing lots.

The draw is made by the tournament administration. If the teams involved are not present, they will be notified of the draw results.
The two best teams of each group will advance to the A-Final round, which is played to cup rules, i.e. the losing teams drop out.
The other teams advance to the B-Final round which is also played to cup rules.

7. Tied matches - the final rounds

Tied matches in the opening final rounds are decided by penalty shoot-outs.
Tied semi-finals and finals are decided by extra time of 2 x 5 minutes. If the game is still a tie at the end of extra time it will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
The penalty shoot-out is held according to FIFA's rules.
As there is free substitutions, at the end of the game, it is possible for substituted players to participate in the penalty shoot-out. The team sizes are made equal.

8. Rules

The Kickstart Elite Cup is played according to the rules set down by FIFA and FKF with the following amendments:
Number of players.
• U7 – 8 Players maximum
• U9 – 10 players maximum
• U11 – 10 players maximum
• U13 – 13 players maximum
• U15 – 13 players maximum

Teams are allowed to use as many players as they want.
Substitution.
All players can be substituted in and out - (free substitution).

The substitution of a player can take place without notifying the referee and without a stop in the play.

The substitution must take place from the middle of the pitch.

A player, being substituted, must leave the pitch before the new player enters the pitch.

When substituting a goalkeeper, the referee must be notified of the substitution and it must take place when there is a stop in the play.
If the referee believes the substitution of a player is made only to delay time, he can refuse the request to make the substitution.
Incorrect substitutions will give a yellow card.

Ball size.
U11, U9 and U7 play with a ball size 4.

All other classes play with a ball size 5.

Soccer jerseys.
Jerseys must be numbered and the numbers must be different.

• Players must use the same jersey number in all games.
• If both teams have the same colours the team mentioned last in the tournament plan will change jerseys.
• Shin guards (leg pads).
• Shin guards are obligatory.
• Failure to wear pads will entail the player being sent off from the field until pads are worn.
• In addition, the following special rules apply to the 7:7 teams:

Offside.
The offside rule is not used.
Goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper is not allowed to pick up the ball after a back pass from his team mates.
Free kicks.
All free kicks are direct, however a free kick to the opposing team in the penalty area, would after the rules result in an indirect free kick, be a direct free kick outside the penalty area closest to the incident.
Corner kicks.
The ball is placed in the corner circle with corner kicks.

9. Time for matches - playing time

• Each team must have a minimum of 7 players ready at the field and at the time mentioned in the official program.
• In 5:5, at least 4 players should be ready to play. (U5)
• In 7:7, at least 5 players should be ready to play. (U9, U11)
• In 9:9, at least 7 players should be ready to play. (U13, U15)
• If a team is not ready at the time mentioned in the official program the game will still be played if there is no more than a 10-minute delay.
• In the event of a team not being ready in time and in the event of a protest the match may be declared forfeited by the infringing team, unless special circumstances apply.
• Special circumstances can include sudden illness, traffic accidents or similar unforeseeable circumstances.
• In such cases the tournament jury may determine that the result of a delayed match shall apply or that an unplayed match shall be played.

10. Players sent off

Players sent off are automatically suspended for the teams next game. The same rule applies for the trainer of the team if he is sent off.
The tournament jury can, in special cases, decide on stricter penalties e.g. if they use a disqualified player.
Only when a player is suspended for more than one game will notice of the suspension be given in writing.

11. Absence

If a team does not turn up for a game, loses on protest, or is omitted from the tournament, the score is set at 0-3.
If the team is omitted in the opening rounds, all the teams results are changed to 0-3.

12. Protests

Protests concerning matches must be submitted in writing by the respective managers to the tournament jury, no later than one hour after the end of the match.
Any decisions made by a referee during a game are final and cannot be appealed.
The size of the soccer balls, shins pads, shirt numbers, participation armbands are not grounds for a protest.
After the start of a game in the final rounds, the result of a game in the previous rounds cannot be changed, unless there has been submitted a protest in that particular match and there has not been a decision made.
A protest fee of Kshs. 5,000/- must be paid with the submission of a protest. The fee is refunded if the protest is upheld.
The decisions of the jury cannot be appealed.

13. Publication and modification of the tournament schedule

The tournament schedule will be published in one (1) week, starting from the 18th of April 2026 through to the 25th of April 2026 here on our website www.kickstartelitecup.com
The tournament administration reserves the right to make changes after this date to the groups, playing fields, playing times etc.
Any alterations to the schedule after the first publication in 1 week, will be published again on Saturday the 18th of April, 2026. Also here on our website www.kickstartelitecup.com
It is each team’s own responsibility to keep updated with the final schedule.
If there are any alterations after the final publication of the schedule, the teams involved will be contacted directly.
A team always has the possibility to get a printed version of the final tournament schedule. This can happen at the Kickstart Elite Cup check-in or afterwards at the Kickstart Elite Cup Information Office.

14. Referees - Linespersons

Kickstart Elite Cup will, in cooperation with FKF select the referees for all matches and the linespersons where possible.
Linespersons:
In matches where no neutral linespersons are used the two teams are obliged to present their own linespersons.

15. Match results

Straight after each match, a leader or coach from each team must go to the referee to confirm the result of the match (sign the results card)