agtlo
.png)
AGT
United States Youth Soccer (USYS) announced in June 2025 that starting in 2026/2027 season, youth player age groups will be organized by school year (August 1 – July 31) instead of by birth/calendar year (January 1 – December 31). These changes apply to all of our competitive (Travel and Rec Plus) players and will be implemented for the 2026/2027 season. We understand these changes will impact many current FC Charles players and most if not every currently formed team in our club. To help our FC Charles families understand how these changes might impact their player(s), we have prepared some frequently asked questions to help address some common concerns regarding the age group change.
- Who made this decision?
- Earlier this year, the governing bodies of soccer in the US - USYS, US Club, US Soccer made the decision to shift to the Aug 1-July 31 age group classification.
- Earlier this year, the governing bodies of soccer in the US - USYS, US Club, US Soccer made the decision to shift to the Aug 1-July 31 age group classification.
- What is the purpose of the change?
- The purpose of this change is to align soccer teams with the school year, helping to reduce “trapped” players, i.e., players (usually with birthdates in the last quarter of the year) who continue in high school after the rest of their cohort have moved on to college.
- The purpose of this change is to align soccer teams with the school year, helping to reduce “trapped” players, i.e., players (usually with birthdates in the last quarter of the year) who continue in high school after the rest of their cohort have moved on to college.
- What players are most likely to be impacted?
- Players with birthdays in August through December are most likely to be affected by the change, as they will probably remain in their current age group for 2026/27. For example, a player with an October 2016 birth date (current U10) will remain a U10 for the 2026/2027 season.
- Players with birthdays in August through December are most likely to be affected by the change, as they will probably remain in their current age group for 2026/27. For example, a player with an October 2016 birth date (current U10) will remain a U10 for the 2026/2027 season.
- Will registration now be based on the player’s grade in school?
- No. While age groups will continue to be determined by birth date, the birth date window will shift from Jan- Dec to Aug-July. To best address the USYS age group changes, FC Charles will be adding questions to the registration process and players should be sure to provide information on the team they played with the previous competitive season and what grade in school they attend.
- No. While age groups will continue to be determined by birth date, the birth date window will shift from Jan- Dec to Aug-July. To best address the USYS age group changes, FC Charles will be adding questions to the registration process and players should be sure to provide information on the team they played with the previous competitive season and what grade in school they attend.
- Can my player play up an age group to remain with their current team?
- FC Charles has revised their trying out “up” policy to address the age group change. Players attending a grade outside of their age cohort (i.e., a player with an August birth date but is in the same grade as the players in the next age group up) would have the option to tryout for their age group or the next older age group. For example, a player with a birth date of August 18, 2012 would be assigned to the U14 age group per the 2026/2027 USYS age groups. However, if this player attends 9th grade, the player would have the option to tryout for the U15 or the U14 age group. In this case, if the player is not selected for the older age group, they would still have the opportunity to tryout for the younger age group.
- FC Charles notes that approval for playing “up” is dependent on coach and club staff evaluations and will be based on what is best for the individual player. Skill level, maturity, and overall development needs are the main factors considered. Grade alone will not guarantee a play up approval.
- FC Charles has revised their trying out “up” policy to address the age group change. Players attending a grade outside of their age cohort (i.e., a player with an August birth date but is in the same grade as the players in the next age group up) would have the option to tryout for their age group or the next older age group. For example, a player with a birth date of August 18, 2012 would be assigned to the U14 age group per the 2026/2027 USYS age groups. However, if this player attends 9th grade, the player would have the option to tryout for the U15 or the U14 age group. In this case, if the player is not selected for the older age group, they would still have the opportunity to tryout for the younger age group.
- When will 2026/2027 player evaluations take place?
- Information on registration and evaluations will be published sometime early in 2026. FC Charles will continue to provide guidance and updates ahead of registration and evaluations to help provide clarity to this situation.
Should you have additional questions related to age groups, please contact info@fc1658.org
AGC
AGCE
*This tool helps determine a player’s age group based on their date of birth. After entering the player’s birthdate, the tool will display the relative age group options for three roster formation cycles: January 1–December 31, August 1–July 31, and September 1–August 31.