Canada Soccer age groups (2026-27)
Canada Soccer determines youth age groups using the calendar-year system (January 1 - December 31), unchanged for 2026-27, so a player born in 2015 is U11 for the 2026-27 season.
Canada Soccer birth-year chart
| Birth year | 2026-27 age group |
|---|---|
| 2008 | U19 |
| 2009 | U18 |
| 2010 | U17 |
| 2011 | U16 |
| 2012 | U15 |
| 2013 | U14 |
| 2014 | U13 |
| 2015 | U12 |
| 2016 | U11 |
| 2017 | U10 |
| 2018 | U9 |
| 2019 | U8 |
| 2020 | U7 |
Frequently asked questions
How does Canada Soccer determine youth age groups?+
Canada Soccer uses a calendar-year system: an age group covers all players born between January 1 and December 31 of the same year. A player born in 2015 is U11 for the 2026-27 season.
Did Canada Soccer change age groups in 2026-27?+
No. Canada Soccer's calendar-year (January 1 - December 31) system did not change. Only US-based organizations moved to seasonal-year in 2026-27.
Does Ontario Soccer use the same age system as Canada Soccer?+
Yes. Ontario Soccer, BC Soccer, and other provincial associations all follow the Canada Soccer calendar-year age system.
What is the difference between Canadian and US youth soccer age groups?+
Canada uses birth-year (January 1 - December 31); the US now uses seasonal-year (August 1 - July 31) for US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO, and MLS NEXT Academy from 2026-27.
Can Canadian youth soccer players play up?+
Yes, with club and district approval, similar to US practice.
Does Canada Soccer have trapped players?+
By strict definition (school-grade misalignment), yes - the calendar-year system splits classmates whose birthdays cross January 1.