These are the detailed tournament rules for Flint BB2011 Elite Cup 2026. All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically modified below. 

Players and classes

Each team must register players in the tournament administration system Profixio no later than seven days before the tournament. The maximum number of players per team is 22. 

Admitted are players born January 2011 or later. 

Teams are admitted to attend with guest players. 

If the club has special reasons for seeking a deviation from the rules above, an application with reasons must be submitted to the tournament minimum four week before the start of the tournament.

Referee system

The tournament will use of the three-man referee system in the group stage and knockout stage of the tournament. One-man referee system in placement matches. 

Yellow and red cards

If a player receives a red card, the player must leave the match and the team cannot replace the sent off player. The player can also not play the next game.

In the case of gross misconduct (e.g. punching, spitting or other inappropriate behaviour towards opponents or referees), the referee in consultation with the Head tournament referee, can impose a suspension for several consecutive matches.

Yellow cards are served immediately and the player leaves the pitch for 5 minutes. 

Substitutions during match

Substitutions can be made without limits. 

The substitution of a player can take place without notifying the referee and without a stop in the play. 

The substitution must take place from the middle of the pitch and player must leave the pitch before replacement enters the pitch.

When substituting a goalkeeper, the referee must be notified of the substitution and it must take place when there is a stop in the play. 

If the referee believes the substitution of a player is made only to delay time, he can refuse the request to make the substitution.

Incorrect substitutions will give a yellow card.
 

Duration of matches

Each match has a duration of two halves of 20 minutes with a 2-minute break. The referee may choose to add time in the event of longer pauses in the game, e.g. injuries. 

In the event weather or other external events forces a match to be cancelled after minimum 15 minutes have been played, the game shall be considered official; the score at the point of cancellation will stand as the final score. If the game is stopped before 15 minutes have passed, the match may be rescheduled for complete replay, resumed, or considered final at the discretion of the tournament jury.

Draw

The 32 teams are seeded according to their geographical origin into pots. 

Four groups (A – D) are drawn with two teams from each pot.  

League stage (Day 1 and 2)

The matches on the two first days of the tournament are played in the form of an incomplete round robin. Each team will play against all other teams in their group, but not against the teams from their own pot. 

The ranking of teams in the League stage of the tournament is in the following order:

  • Points (3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw)
  • Quality (points obtained collectively by league phase opponents)
  • Goal difference
  • Number of goals scored
  • Internal settlement between the teams that cannot otherwise be separated
  • If two or more teams are still tied, the order is decided by coin toss or lot.

Knockout stage (Day 3)

The two highest ranked teams in each group qualify for the knockout stage. 

The opponents are determined regardless of geographical origin as follows: 

  • Quarter final 1: A1 – B2 
  • Quarter final 2: B1 – A2 
  • Quarter final 3: C1 – D2 
  • Quarter final 4: D1 – C2 
  • Semifinal 1: Winner of QF 1 – Winner of QF 3 
  • Semifinal 1: Winner of QF 2 – Winner of QF 4 
  • Final: Winner of semifinals 

Tied matches are decided by penalty shootout. Penalty shootout competitions are conducted in a separate area. 

Third placed team of the tournament are the two losing semi-finalist. 

Placement matches (Day 3)

All teams not qualifying for the Knockout stage of the tournament will play two placement matches. 
Placement matches will be played between teams in the same ranking in the league stage. 

In order to avoid matches between teams from the same geographical origin, teams may proose a swich of opponents. The tournament will accept such change only if all four affected teams support it. 

Penalty shootout competitions

Each team will nominate five participants. It is not a requirement that they were on the field at the end of the game. Toss of coin decides who will start. Precedure: 

  • Each team first shoot three penalties
  • If no decision, one more penalty each
  • If still no decision, one more penalty each
  • If still no decision, winner decided by toss of coin

Tournament Committee

The Tournament committee consists of three members and acts also as jury in case of complaints. 

Complaints must be reported to the jury in the tournament's secretariat in the clubhouse without undue delay. NOK 2,000 (or EUR 200) must be submitted together with the complaint. The amount will only be refunded to the team if the complaint is supported by the jury. 

Protests regarding the outcome of the games will not be handled by the Jury. All decisions made by the referee are final and may not be protested or appealed.

The jury's decision is final and cannot be appealed.