Rules & Regulations ISL 2026


📥 Download Official Rules & Regulations PDF (Season 4)

INTER-ACADEMY SUPER LEAGUE 2026 – SEASON 4
RULES & REGULATIONS

The Inter-Academy Super League (ISL Dubai) shall be played in accordance with the applicable provisions of the IFAB Laws of the Game and relevant FIFA rules and regulations.

Where interpretation of any FIFA rule or regulation is required, the English-language version shall prevail. All participating teams, players, coaches, officials, and other accredited personnel are expected to comply with the applicable rules and regulations throughout the tournament.

The ISL Dubai Organising Committee shall have the authority to administer, manage, and oversee the tournament. All decisions made by the Tournament Organiser and/or Organising Committee in relation to the tournament shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal.

1. GENERAL RULES

  • Academies may participate in more than one category within each age group, subject to the tournament registration requirements and applicable regulations.
  • Groups shall be finalized by draw during the official Technical Meeting with the participating academies. The draw shall be conducted after the registration period has officially closed and the final list of participating teams has been confirmed.
  • Age categories shall be determined based on the player’s year of birth.
  • Female players may participate in teams, provided that they comply with the applicable age-category and player eligibility regulations.
  • Player registration shall remain valid for the entire tournament season. Once a player has been officially registered with an academy, the player shall not be permitted to switch or represent another academy during the same season.
  • All participating players must hold a valid UAE residence visa. Players shall be required to submit their original Emirates ID or passport for verification when requested by the ISL Dubai Organizing Committee.
  • Match fixtures shall be issued to participating teams three (3) weeks in advance. Teams are responsible for reviewing the published schedule and communicating any required changes within the designated period. Fixture change requests submitted after the designated deadline will not normally be accepted.
  • All forfeits, protests, disputes, and match-related complaints shall be submitted to the ISL Organizing Team, comprising three (3) designated members, who will make the final and binding decision.
  • Appeals must be submitted via email to isldubai2023@gmail.com no later than 48 hours after the game week in question.

2. COMPETITION FORMAT

UNDER 9, UNDER 13 & UNDER 15

Format: Single Round Robin League

  1. All participating teams will compete in a single league format.
  2. Each team will play one match against every other team in its respective categories.
  3. The league table will be updated throughout the competition based on points earned.
  4. There will be no separate final matches.
  5. At the conclusion of all league fixtures, the team finishing at the top of the league table will be declared the Champion of that category.

UNDER 11

The Under 11 category shall be conducted in two stages:

Round 1 – Group Stage:

  • All participating teams shall be divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) following a Single Round Robin format.
  • Teams shall be ranked based on the points accumulated during the Group Stage.

Round 2 – Super League & Silver League:

  • Super League: The top three (3) teams from Group A and top three (3) teams from Group B shall qualify to compete in the Super League. The team finishing at the top shall be declared the Under 11 Champion.
  • Silver League: The bottom three (3) teams from Group A and bottom three (3) teams from Group B shall qualify to compete in the Silver League. The team finishing at the top shall be declared the Under 11 Silver League Champion.

Points & Ranking Criteria

Points shall be awarded as: Win: 3 points | Draw: 1 point | Defeat: 0 points

Tie-breaker criteria applied in order:

  1. Total Points: Team with the higher points is placed higher.
  2. Goal Difference: Team with the higher goal difference is placed higher.
  3. Head-to-Head Result: If two teams remain equal, the match result between them applies. (Invalid if more than two teams are tied).
  4. Goals Scored: Team with the higher number of goals scored is placed higher.
  5. Drawing of Lots: Decided by drawing of lots conducted by the ISL Dubai Organising Committee.

3. AGE GROUPS & MATCH FORMAT

CATEGORY BIRTH DATE FORMAT PLAYING PERIOD MAX REGISTRATION MATCH DAY SQUAD
U9 01-01-2017 or later 8-a-side 2x 15 min 25 16
U11 01-01-2015 or later 8-a-side 2x 20 min 25 16
U13 01-01-2013 or later 8-a-side 2x 20 min 30 18
U15 01-01-2011 or later 9-a-side 2x 25 min 30 18
U17 01-01-2009 or later 9-a-side 2x 25 min 30 18

4. PLAYERS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

  • For 8-a-side matches, a maximum of 16 players may be included in the match squad.
  • For 9-a-side matches, a maximum of 18 players may be included in the match squad.
  • Rolling substitutions are permitted during any stoppage in play under the referee’s supervision.
  • Substitutes must enter at the technical area / halfway line only after the departing player has completely left the pitch.
  • If a suspended or ineligible player participates, the team incurs a 0–3 forfeit defeat and the player receives further suspension.

5. TEAM REGISTRATION & DIGITAL ISL ID

  • Player registrations require a clear Emirates ID copy, a recent headshot photograph, and completed application details.
  • Registration closes 48 hours prior to each scheduled match.
  • Each player receives a personalized Digital ISL ID used for verification before kick-off.
  • A player may represent the same academy in a maximum of two different age categories (if eligible), but never two different academies.

6. MATCH ARRANGEMENTS & EQUIPMENT

  • Team Sheets: Submitted to the ISL Dubai Administration at least 15 minutes before kick-off.
  • Team Officials: Maximum of two (2) designated registered officials permitted in the technical area.
  • Player Kits: Clear, unique player numbers on the back. Shin guards are strictly mandatory per IFAB Law 4.
  • Reporting: All teams must be ready on the pitch no later than 30 minutes before kick-off.
  • Match Balls: Official Size 4 for U9; Size 5 for U11, U13, U15, and U17.

7. PAYMENT OF FEES

Payment shall be made in accordance with the agreed payment terms. ISL reserves the right to withhold fixtures for teams with overdue fees. Confirmation of registration commits participating teams to full season fees even if a team withdraws during the season.

8. PROTESTS & SANCTIONS

  • Protests must be submitted in writing within 48 hours of match completion with an AED 500 fee (refunded if upheld).
  • Red cards or two yellow cards in one match incur an automatic minimum one-match suspension.

9. VENUES & PARKING

  • Venue 1 (U9, U11, U13): Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum Pakistani School, Al Qusais (Turf) — No vehicles permitted inside school grounds. External parking only.
  • Venue 2 (U15, U17): Amity School, Al Qusais — Parking inside school premises available on a first-come, first-served basis.

10. CODE OF CONDUCT & CHILD SAFEGUARDING

All coaches, players, parents, and spectators must show good sportsmanship, respect match officials, avoid offensive behavior, and strictly adhere to child safeguarding standards at all times.