In general the FIFA Match Regulations currently in effect globally also apply to international matches for the GRASSROOTS AMATEUR NATIONAL TEAM Format.

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Our definition of who is an Amateur Footballer serves as the basis and foundation for the revived amateur national team format.

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Clear Differentiation in Football: Definition of Amateur Players and Amateur Football

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“The clear redefinition and distinction between Amateur and Professional Footballers in today's modern era: Who qualifies as an Amateur and what does it mean for football?”

 

​An amateur footballer is defined as a player who has never been part of a fully professional team, has not signed a fully professional contract in a fully professional league, and has not played for a fully professional team. This clarity allows for a clear distinction between amateur and professional footballers by clearly delineating the characteristics of professional status. Players who have been educated in an amateur or academy team of a professional club but have never been part of the professional team are also classified as amateur footballers. Semi-professional players are considered extended amateur players, as they do not qualify as fully professional and can thus be included under amateur football.

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​​​With regard to eligible Players and Coaches for the revived GRASSROOTS AMATEUR NATIONAL TEAMS FORMAT, the eligibility regulations have been adapted as best as possible to the rules and regulations applicable until 1980 in order to be eligible to play and participate in an AMATEUR NATIONAL TEAM.

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1. Age

Adult format: Minimum age of players is 19 years and legal age of majority

Preferred age Players: 19 to 26 years

Exceptions: Maximum of 2 players aged over 26 and up to maximum 32 years

Prefered age Coaches: 35 to 45 years

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2. Citizenship and Nationality

Requirements: Players and Coaches must be citizens of the country and nation and registered in the respective National Football Association; Proof of citizenship: Valid passport or national identity card required

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3. Selection Pool/Leagues

Leagues: Selection of the best "Amateur Status Players" from the highest Amateur and Semi-Professional Leagues (not Full Professional Leagues) of the respective nation; Squad size: Maximum 18 players, 3 coaches, and 3 functional staff members; Extended squad of 35-40 players for the selection and call-up process. Coaches should be prefered collected from Leagues where mostly of selected players playing because they know the Leagues very well.

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4. Amateur Status

Eligibility: Players and Coaches in the highest Amateur Leagues and Semi-Professional Leagues which play and work for Amateur and Semi-Professional Clubs in respective nation; Players and Coaches with Semi-Professional, Youth Professional, or Compensation Contracts, are considered Amateurs for the Amateur National Teams Format

 

5. Exclusions
Not eligible: Players and Coaches with Full Professional Contracts or Full Professional Appearances, both past and present; Players and Coaches from the Reserve or Amateur Teams of Full Professional Clubs, as well as players from Professional Club Academies. Current or former Youth National Team Players and Coaches (U15-U21 or U23) or Senior A-National Teams are also excluded.

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6. Verification

Process: The Players and Coaches verification of Amateur or Semi-Professional status is carried out by ANTFA with the support of the respective National Football Association including standardized verification procedures for proof of eligibility,

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Another key Selection Criterion is the of Regional or State Associations, alongside the purely amateur status of participants, which is essential for eligibility.

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Examples: Nations, Regional and State Associations/Number of players eligible to play​​

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AUSTRIA & SLOVENIA 

Football-Regional Associations: 0     

Football-States Associations: 9     

Number of players per State Association: 2

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CROATIA & GERMANY      

Football-Regional Associations: 5     

Football-States Associations: 21     

Number of players per Regional Associations: 3-4

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The Regional Association before the State Association determines the number of players eligible to play and participate​

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Calling up & Selection AMATEUR NATIONAL TEAMS 

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In principle and preferably, the AMATEURE NATIONAL TEAMS (Players, Coaches, Staff) should be calling up, formed, organized and named by the resprective National Football Associations. If there is no interest on the part of the National Association, this should not deprive very many interested, good and deserving Amateur Players and Coaches of the opportunity to represent their country and nation internationally with honor, fervor and pride once in their amateur career.

 

Plan/Variant A - Calling up & Selection by National Associations
National Association calling up, determines, forms, organizes and names Coaches, Players and Staff of the AMATEUR NATIONAL TEAM. The organizing ANTFA committee assigns a Official FIFA Match Agent/Football expert to the respective National Association, who acts as a Liaison Officer and supports the National Association administratively, organizationally and sportingly.

 

Plan/Variant B - Calling up & Selection by FIFA Match Agents/Football Experts
FIFA Match Agents/Football experts calling up, determines, forms, organizes and names Coaches, Players and Staff of the AMATEUR NATIONAL TEAM in the respective nation and receives administrative, organizational and financial support from the ANTFA organizing committee. Respective National Association checks and confirms amateur status of selected players and coaches.

 

March 2026. Subject to change.

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