1) CATEGORY:

The tournament is reserved for players of iGaming, Fintech, Real Estate, and specific guest companies regularly registered in the online application forms. The team leader officially declares the employment status in the form. Exceptions must be motivated and submitted to the Organisation Committee on an approval basis. Each player must sign the authorization (player waiver) online forms released by the Organisation Committee. Without this document, the player is not allowed to compete in the event. Players and teams assume responsibility for participation in the tournament. The Organisation Committee shall not be responsible in case of injuries, sickness, accident, or damage of any means suffered by the players.

2) FORMAT:

• Teams & Pots: The Men’s tournament will feature 30 teams. Teams will be divided into five (5) distinctive pots. Each Group (A–F) will consist of one team from each pot (6 groups x 5 teams each).
• Group Stage: In the Group Stage, every team will play one match against all the other teams in the same Group.
• Draw & Opening Ceremony: The Official Draw and Opening Ceremony will be held at (Location: Peperoncino Restaurant: Click Here) on Friday, 4th September 2026.
• Match Days & Venue:
  • Group Stage: Saturday, 5th September 2026 – Pembroke Athleta Football Club Ground.
  • Knockout Phase (Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals & Grand Final): Sunday, 6th September 2026 – Pembroke Athleta Football Club Ground.

Qualification to Knockouts: Top 2 teams from each Group (A–F) automatically qualify to the Round of 16, plus the 4 best 3rd-placed teams, for a total of 16 teams advancing to the Knockout Phase.

3) PLAYERS’ LISTS:

Each team can include a minimum of 7 and up to a maximum of 14 players in the official team registration form; the form must be completed online prior to the start of the tournament on 5th September 2026. The form will be used for all matches and cannot be modified after that date.

Participation in the tournament is restricted exclusively to individuals who are official representatives of their respective companies. Rigorous oversight will be conducted to ensure adherence to this regulation. To facilitate the inclusion of smaller enterprises, each enrolled team is allowed up to three non‑professional players not affiliated with the company.

Anyone found abusing the rules by registering players who are not their employees will be penalised and risks disqualification from the competition and future editions.

4) MATCHES:

Every match will consist of two halves of 12 minutes each with a 3–5 minute break in between. Each team will field 7 players (1 goalkeeper and 6 outfield players). All matches will be played without offside. Players are kindly asked to use turf shoes and/or HG football shoes with 11 or 15 cleats. SG shoes with 6 cleats are not allowed. Shin guards are recommended but not mandatory. All in‑play rules are identical to the 11‑a‑side official football rules.

5) NO. OF SUBSTITUTIONS:

Unlimited (back‑and‑forth substitutions are allowed, without interruption of the match). Substitutions must be done in front of the substitute zone. Players and staff must stay in their bench area during matches.

6) REFEREES:

Matches will be officiated by local referees (some being pro‑futsal players or former professional/semi‑professional referees). Referees’ decisions are final and must be immediately applied. No complaint or appeal, during or after the match, is allowed.

7) RESULTS & RANKING:

• Points: Win = 3 points; Draw = 1 point; Loss = 0 points.
• Group Ranking Rules: Identical to the UEFA European Football Championship.
  • 1st Step: i) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches; ii) goal difference in all group matches; iii) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
  • 2nd Step (if two or more teams remain equal after the 1st Step): i) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned; ii) goal difference from the group matches between the teams concerned; iii) greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned; iv) fair‑play points based on yellow/red cards in all group matches; v) drawing of lots by the IFR team.
• Advancement: The top 2 teams in each Group plus the 4 best 3rd‑placed teams qualify for the Knockout Phase.

Knockout Ties: If a knockout match ends in a draw, a penalty shoot‑out determines the winner. No extra time is played.

8) RED & YELLOW CARDS:

• 1 red card: misses next match.
• 2 yellow cards: misses next match.
  These are reset prior to the Semi‑finals.
  
  

9) FOOTBALL PITCH & MEDICAL:

Matches will be played at the IFR Village set up at the Pembroke Athleta Football Club Ground on artificial grass pitches (3 pitches in use). Medical and ambulance services will be available during all matches. Physiotherapists will also be available.
Pitch size: 32m (W) x 52m (L).

10) WALK OVER/NO SHOW:

If a team fails to show up within 10 minutes of the scheduled kick-off time, the match will be awarded to the opposing team as a 3–0 win. This score will apply to all rounds—including group stage and playoffs—as the definitive result for a walkover or no-show.

11) TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE:

The Tournament Committee is headed by Mr. Zvezdan Vukovic. The Committee’s decisions are final. The Committee is responsible for informing the IFR Committee of any unfair behaviour by a team’s staff and can make decisions about its/their presence in current and future editions of the IFR Champions Cup.

12) GENERAL RULES & ETHICAL CODE:

All teams must respect the Values and Spirit of the IFR Champions Cup. The Organisation Committee and referees will not tolerate any violations of ethical codes related to race, religion, sexual diversity, or country of origin.