Soccer age group for players born 2021
A player born 2021 plays U5 for the 2026-27 season if born August through December 2021, and U6 if born January through July 2021, 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 2021 | US: born Jan-Jul 2021 | Canada / birth-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | U4 | U5 | U5 |
| 2026-27 | U5 | U6 | U6 |
| 2027-28 | U6 | U7 | U7 |
| 2028-29 | U7 | U8 | U8 |
What this means for 2021-born players
Players born August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022 are U5 for the 2026-27 season under the new US system. Players born January 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021 are U6 for the 2026-27 season. Under the old birth-year system, all 2021-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
U5 plays 4v4 with a size 3 ball. U6 plays 4v4 with a size 3 ball.
Frequently asked questions
What soccer age group is a child born in 2021?+
A player born 2021 plays U5 for the 2026-27 season if born August through December 2021, and U6 if born January through July 2021, under the new US August 1 - July 31 system. Under Canada Soccer's birth-year system, all 2021-born players are U6.
What game format does a 2021-born player play in 2026-27?+
2021-born players born Aug-Dec play 4v4; those born Jan-Jul play 4v4.
Does the age system change how a 2021-born player is grouped?+
Yes. Under the old US birth-year system, all 2021-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 2021-born player use?+
2021-born players in the 2026-27 season use size 3 (Aug-Dec births) or size 3 (Jan-Jul births).
Are 2021-born players affected by heading rules?+
Yes. US Soccer bans heading in games and training for players U11 and younger. Some 2021-born players still fall inside that window in 2026-27.
Does this change for Canada Soccer?+
No. Canada Soccer keeps the birth-year (January 1 - December 31) system. All 2021-born players are U6 for the 2026-27 season under Canada Soccer.