What changes for Under 7 football?
Under 7 football uses 3v3 in England for the 2026/27 season. The FA guidance describes games without goalkeepers, match officials or substitutes. Small groups can rotate between short games so that children spend more time playing and less time waiting.
FutureFit also keeps children in smaller formats for longer. The national pathway uses 5v5 at Under 8 and Under 9, 7v7 at Under 10 and Under 11, 9v9 at Under 12 and Under 13, then 11v11 from Under 14. Existing teams should confirm their cohort’s transition arrangements with their league or County FA.
Recommended 3v3 pitch, goal and ball sizes
The FA recommends a size 3 ball and a 15 by 10 metre pitch for Under 7 3v3 football. The permitted pitch range is 10 by 15 metres up to 15 by 20 metres, depending on the space available.
The recommended goals are 4 feet by 2.5 feet, or about 120 centimetres by 75 centimetres. Clubs should use safe, properly secured equipment and follow the latest FA and local guidance.
- Format: three players against three players
- Goalkeepers: none
- Ball: size 3
- Recommended pitch: 15 metres by 10 metres
- Recommended goal: 4 feet by 2.5 feet
How long should games last?
The detailed FA guidance recommends individual games of roughly 6 to 10 minutes, with around 30 to 40 minutes of football across a session. The format is designed for several short games rather than one long match.
Local organisers still need to manage breaks, player welfare, weather and the needs of the children in front of them. The purpose is an experience suited to the age group, not squeezing in as much football as possible.
Restarts are designed to keep the game moving
Players can pass or dribble the ball into play at restarts, including from the touchline and corners. Opponents stay at least 3 metres away. At a goal-line restart, the opposition retreats to its own half.
There are no penalty kicks, and any free kick must be at least 3 metres from the goal. After a goal, the team that conceded restarts from the goal line and the scoring team returns to its own goal line. Check the current official FutureFit guidance and your league’s arrangements before organising games.
What parents, coaches and clubs should do now
Parents do not need to buy specialist equipment simply because the format is changing. Ask the club how it will organise Under 7 sessions, what footwear is suitable and whether the local league has published its 2026/27 arrangements.
Coaches and clubs should review the official FutureFit resources, speak to their league or County FA, plan enough small playing areas and communicate the changes clearly to families. Treat this Ballrz guide as an explanation, not a replacement for the Laws of the Game or local competition rules.