Soccer age group for players born 2012
A player born 2012 plays U14 for the 2026-27 season if born August through December 2012, and U15 if born January through July 2012, under the new US August 1 - July 31 system used by US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO, and MLS NEXT Academy.
Season-by-season chart
| Season | US: born Aug-Dec 2012 | US: born Jan-Jul 2012 | Canada / birth-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | U13 | U14 | U14 |
| 2026-27 | U14 | U15 | U15 |
| 2027-28 | U15 | U16 | U16 |
| 2028-29 | U16 | U17 | U17 |
What this means for 2012-born players
Players born August 1, 2012 through July 31, 2013 are U14 for the 2026-27 season under the new US system. Players born January 1, 2012 through July 31, 2012 are U15 for the 2026-27 season. Under the old birth-year system, all 2012-born players were together in the same U-group; under the new seasonal system they split at the August 1 cutoff, which now matches the US school-grade calendar in most states.
Game format
U14 plays 11v11 with a size 5 ball. U15 plays 11v11 with a size 5 ball.
Frequently asked questions
What soccer age group is a child born in 2012?+
A player born 2012 plays U14 for the 2026-27 season if born August through December 2012, and U15 if born January through July 2012, under the new US August 1 - July 31 system. Under Canada Soccer's birth-year system, all 2012-born players are U15.
What game format does a 2012-born player play in 2026-27?+
2012-born players born Aug-Dec play 11v11; those born Jan-Jul play 11v11.
Does the age system change how a 2012-born player is grouped?+
Yes. Under the old US birth-year system, all 2012-born players were in the same group. Under the new US seasonal system starting 2026-27, they split at the August 1 birthdate.
What ball size does a 2012-born player use?+
2012-born players in the 2026-27 season use size 5 (Aug-Dec births) or size 5 (Jan-Jul births).
Are 2012-born players affected by heading rules?+
No. US Soccer's heading restrictions apply to U11 and younger; 2012-born players are older than that limit for 2026-27.
Does this change for Canada Soccer?+
No. Canada Soccer keeps the birth-year (January 1 - December 31) system. All 2012-born players are U15 for the 2026-27 season under Canada Soccer.