U-12 World Challenge

About the tournament

An international U-12 11-a-side football tournament held every summer in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Since it began in 2013, overseas clubs including FC Barcelona have competed alongside Japanese clubs, and since the 2024 edition the tournament has accepted open applications from overseas clubs.

Details

It began in 2013, and since the 2024 edition the organizers have accepted open applications from overseas clubs. 📅 Schedule · The 2026 edition took place over four days, from 21 to 24 August. · The dates of the 2027 edition have not yet been officially announced. 📍 Venue · Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. · In 2026, the group stage and play-offs were played at Fukuda Denshi Field, Fukuda Denshi Square and JFA Yume Field. · The semi-finals and final were held at Fukuda Denshi Arena. ✈️ Airport transfer · For overseas teams, the organizers offer a group transport and accommodation package departing from Narita Airport. ⚽ Divisions · A single U-12 division. · In 2026, the tournament was open to players born on or after 1 January 2014. · The U-13 girls' selection team put together by the organizers is exempt from this birth-date rule. 🏆 Teams · 40 teams took part in the 2026 edition. · Alongside Japanese clubs, participants included FC Barcelona (Spain), Agung Podomoro Land Indonesia (Indonesia), Mazda GB FC (Laos), a club from Guangzhou (China), a Taiwan selection (Chinese Taipei), PDEI UNITED (Mexico) and Myanmar U-12 (Myanmar). ⏱ Format · 11-a-side, played with a size 4 ball. · After a group stage of ten groups of four teams and a play-off round, the top 16 teams play a knockout final tournament. · Group matches are two 15-minute halves with a 5-minute half-time; final-tournament matches are two 20-minute halves; the semi-finals and final are two 25-minute halves with a 10-minute half-time. Play-off matches last 20 minutes with no half-time. · Up to 3 substitution windows across both halves, not counting half-time; there is no limit on the number of players changed at once, and re-entry is allowed. · The 2026 edition had 81 matches in total. · Matches follow the Japan Football Association Laws of the Game 2025/26. 🏟 Organization · Organized by the U-12 Junior Soccer World Challenge Executive Committee (Amazing Sports Lab Japan) and the Chiba Football Association, in cooperation with JEF United Ichihara Chiba. · Awards go to the winners, runners-up and third-placed team, along with the Daiwa House MVP award.

How to enter

Applications are handled by the organizer, the tournament executive committee. The organizers state that they have accepted open applications from overseas clubs since the 2024 edition. 1. Tell the tournament office that you want to take part, or submit the application form on the official website. 2. Pay the entry fee by international bank transfer according to the invoice sent by the organizers. According to the official information for the 2024 edition, the entry fee was 200 US dollars per team. 3. Each team covers its own travel and accommodation costs. If you need help with accommodation, meals or transport, let the organizers know in advance and they will put you in touch with a travel agency. 4. On match days, at least one staff member who speaks Japanese or English must accompany the team. 5. A group transport and accommodation package departing from Narita Airport is also available. 📌 Summary · Contact the tournament office or submit the application form → pay the entry fee by international transfer according to the invoice → confirm that a staff member who can interpret will accompany the team

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