Event | Rules

Rules And Regulations

1. Overview • 2. Format • 3. SUPERSCORER
4. Roster • 5. Rules • 6. Fouls • 7. Officials

1. Overview

The Community World Cup will follow the format of the World Cup. There are four (4) groups with four (4) teams in each group. All teams will play their group members once, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the playoffs.

Teams will consist of 5 players, including a goalkeeper, on the field at one time. Three to five substitutes are recommended to complete the roster.

Round Robin games are 15 minutes in length, with no halftime break. Teams do not switch sides.

Playoffs are single elimination. Games that end in a tie after regulation time will be settled by penalty kicks only in the playoffs.

All matches will be officiated by Ontario Soccer Association certified referees.

2. Format

  1. Round robin format. Every team plays a minimum of three games within their group. Round Robin games are 15 minutes in length.
  2. Top two teams from each group qualify for the playoffs.
  3. Win = 3 points, Tie = 1 point, Loss = 0 points.
  4. No penalty kick shootouts in round robin.
  5. Tiebreakers (Goal differential (+/-), Goals scored, Goals conceded, coin flip)
  6. Playoff match ups will be announced at the end of the round robin round. First place teams will play second place teams in other divisions.
  7. Penalty shootouts in the playoff round are three shot penalty kicks, followed by sudden death kicks if the scores are still tied.
  8. Playoff games will be 20 minutes in length with a 5-minute half-time break.

SUPERSCORER 3. SUPERSCORER – prior to each match a player from each team will be randomly selected and designated the SUPERSCORER.

  1. If the SUPERSCORER scores a goal, the goal will count as two goals.
  2. SUPERSCORER’s cannot be switched during a game.
  3. In the playoff rounds, during penalty shootouts, SUPERSCORER’s goals only count as one.

4. Roster

  1. Only those players listed on a team on the fundraising website are eligible to play in any Community World Cup matches. Additional players may be added to a roster at the discretion of the Community World Cup organizers.
  2. All players must sign a waiver prior to competing in any matches in the Community World Cup. Failure to do so will result in an immediate 3-0 loss for the team in the round robin and the team’s elimination from the playoffs.
  3. All players must have identification available to be shown prior to any games. Players without identification will not be allowed to play.
  4. Teams must have a minimum of 5 players and a maximum of 10 players on their roster.
  5. Teams playing with players not on the official team roster will be immediately given a 3 – 0 loss in the round robin round. If this happens in the playoffs, the team will be eliminated from the tournament.
  6. Players may only play for one team in the Community World Cup.
  7. Team shirts must be of the same colour (i.e. all wear red shirts).

5. Rules

General Rules

  1. Teams must start with at least three (3) players on the field. If a team cannot field three players at any point of a match, the game will be suspended and that team will be given a 3-0 default loss.
  2. There is a continuous clock with no injury time. In the interest of fair play, any players seen delaying the game, will be given a yellow card at the referee’s discretion.
  3. Substitutions will happen on the fly at the centre of the field. Players must exit the field, prior to the incoming player taking the field. Referees may call a foul on illegal substitutions.
  4. The offside rule is not applicable in the Community World Cup.
  5. There are no penalty kicks in the Community World Cup, except in the playoffs to settle tied games.
  6. Any other rules not addressed here will be governed by OSA rules and the Head referee at the event.
  7. There are no timeouts in the Community World Cup.
  8. There is no penalty area marked out in the Community World Cup. Goalkeepers can pick the ball up within 10 yards of their goal, at the discretion of the referee.

Game play

  1. The referee will flip a coin, with both captains present. The winner of the coin toss will choose which side they want to defend or can decide to start the game with a goal kick from their goalkeeper.
  2. All free kicks are indirect kicks (any two players must touch the ball before a goal is scored).
  3. Any ball that goes out of bounds may be kicked in from the point where the ball left the playing area. There are no throw-ins.
  4. A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air.
  5. A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the attacking team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air.
  6. There are no penalty kicks during regular game play in the Community World Cup. Penalty kicks will only occur in the playoffs if games end in ties.

6. Fouls

  1. All fouls will result in an indirect kick for the team that has been fouled.
  2. The defending team on any free kick must be at least 5 yards away from the ball.
  3. Yellow cards – a referee may issue a yellow card at their discretion. Player who receives a yellow card must leave the field for 2 minutes. Only the referee, or timekeeper, will keep track of the two minutes. In the event of a penalty shootout (playoffs only), players who are sitting out due to a receiving a yellow card are not eligible to shoot. A player may return to the field of play if a goal is scored during the two minute penalty.
  4. Red Cards – a player receiving a red card (or a second yellow card) must immediately leave the field. A team that has a player red carded must play one player short. If a team has two players receiving a red card, the match will be stopped and they will automatically receive a default loss. If this occurs in the playoff round, the team will be eliminated from the playoffs.
  5. Swearing, foul language, and violent play will not be tolerated. Any players who engage in any of these activities will be immediately disqualified from the event and the team will receive an official warning. Team who receive more than one warning will be disqualified for the event.
  6. Any players issued a red card for swearing or abusive language towards the referees or any tournament official will be disqualified from the tournament and asked to leave BMO Field. Failure to do so will result in their team being disqualified.

7. OFFICIALS

All referees for the Community World Cup have received their certification through the Ontario Soccer Association. They are donating their time and skills to Street Kids International and the Toronto Police Force. They will not receive any monetary compensation for their efforts. We ask that you respect the referees throughout the event.