Rules & Rosters

2026 D.C. Cup

Check-In and Credentials

📅 As of June 23, 2025

Registration

All registration must be completed online via GotSport.
Teams are required to upload:

• Official team roster (from a US Youth Soccer–affiliated carding program)
• Player passes

All materials must be uploaded at least 5 days prior to the tournament start date.
Once a roster is submitted, no changes will be permitted.

Credentials

At the Mandatory Check-In, teams must present the required credentials:

U.S. Teams:

• Valid, laminated player ID cards with photos
• Signed medical release forms
• Proper travel documentation per affiliation (AYSO, USSF, USYS, USAAA, US Club Soccer, etc.)
  • US Club teams: Approved roster from the US Club website

International Teams:

• Certified team roster (used in place of player cards)
• League identification cards (if applicable)
• Medical release forms
• Passports

Rosters

• Players may not play for more than one team in the tournament.
• Jersey numbers must remain consistent; no duplicate numbers are allowed.
• Players may not change jerseys or numbers once registration is complete.
• Violations of these roster policies may result in a forfeit.

Guest Players

• Teams may roster up to 7 guest players (from the same sanctioning body).
• The total roster may not exceed the age group maximum.
• All player cards must come from the same sanctioning body.
  • Example: US Club and USYS cards cannot be mixed.
• Players from different USYS State Associations may guest play together as long as they share the same sanctioning body.

Rules of Play

All games will follow FIFA Laws of the Game, as modified by USYS and MSYSA.

Heading Restriction

Players U11 and younger (including those playing up) may not deliberately head the ball.
If a deliberate header occurs, play is stopped and restarted with an indirect free kick.

Game Duration

• Preliminary Stage: No overtime.
  • Win = 3 pts, Tie = 1 pt, Loss = 0 pts
• Elimination Stage: Tied games decided by penalty kicks.

Each match report (score, cards, send-offs) must be verified immediately after the match by the coach or manager. Unverified reports stand as final.

Tiebreakers

1. Goal difference
2. Most goals scored
3. Head-to-head result
4. Fewest penalty points (Yellow = 1, Red = 2)
5. Tournament Director’s decision

Tournament Format

• 4 teams: 1st & 2nd place advance to final
• 8 teams: 1st in each group advances to final
• 12 teams: 1st in each group + 1 wildcard advance to semifinals
• 16 teams: 1st in each group advance to semifinals or 1st & 2nd advance to quarterfinals (at Tournament Manager’s discretion)
• 20+ teams: 1st place and top wildcards advance to quarterfinals

Note: Wildcard adjustments may be made to prevent teams from replaying group opponents.

Breaks & Halftime

• Water breaks: 1–2 minutes (clock continues to run).
• Halftime: 5 minutes.

Game Check-In & Conduct

• Referees will conduct player safety checks before each match.
• Team managers must retain player cards unless requested by referees.
• Referees and field marshals handle game cards; managers do not need to sign or carry them.

Substitutions

• Unlimited, with referee’s permission, at any stoppage of play (per USYS Rule 302).

Player Equipment

• Referee determines equipment safety and suitability.
• Shin guards are mandatory for all players.
• Hard braces must be cleared by the referee for safety.

Coaching Conduct

Coaches are responsible for the conduct of players, substitutes, families, and spectators.

Guidelines:

• Coaching permitted only in a positive, instructive tone.
• No mechanical devices or profanity.
• Coaches must stay within 10 yards of the halfway line.
• Entry to the field is only with referee permission (for injuries). Unauthorized entry = automatic yellow card.

Cautions & Ejections

• Two yellow cards in a match = red card and ejection.
• Ejected players may not be replaced and must miss the next game.
• Violent conduct or serious foul play: suspension for next two matches.
• Coach ejections: treated the same as player ejections. Coaches must be out of sight and sound during suspension.

The Disciplinary Committee may require hearings for serious or repeated offenses.

Suspended or Terminated Games

• If suspended due to weather or other reasons, games may resume if time allows.
• Games terminated for misconduct may result in team suspension and forfeiture.
• State Associations and home leagues may be notified of misconduct.

Injury Protocol

Referees may add time for injuries as needed, provided games finish before dark. No additional time will be added if it delays the schedule.

Tournament Competition

Referee Decisions

Referee decisions on facts of play are final. Only clear errors prior to restart may be corrected.

Determining Winners

• Champions receive trophies and medals.
• Runners-up receive medals.

Home & Away Designation

• Home team: listed first on schedule; wears light jerseys.
• Away team: wears dark jerseys.
• If colors conflict, Home team changes.
• Home team kicks off; Away team chooses direction.
• No coin toss.

Game Day Operations

• Game balls provided by the tournament.
• Benches and tents provided at select venues (teams should bring their own if possible).
• Hydration stations available at select sites.
• Athletic trainers available at some venues.

Spectators

• Spectators must sit opposite their team benches and remain on the same half as their team.
• Do not switch sides or mix with opposing fans at halftime.

Forfeits

Automatic forfeit if:

1. A team fails to report within 5 minutes of kickoff with minimum eligible players and verified cards.
2. A team’s misconduct causes game termination.
3. A team fails to provide a valid roster or field ineligible players.

If forfeited, teams may agree to play a shortened friendly, ending at the original scheduled time.

Protests & Disputes

• No protests will be allowed.
• All off-field disputes will be resolved by the Tournament Director, and decisions are final.

Guest Teams

Guest teams may be accepted to fill late vacancies in a division.

Refund Policy

Click here for full details.