Football in the future

1. WORLD ASSOCIATION
The World Association will be composed of 224 countries. These will be divided in eight continental areas (to
avoid huge time differences between teams that play the same cup).
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Denmark, England, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro,
Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Wales (48 countries).
Western Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uzbekistan,
Yemen (24 countries).
Eastern Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Lao, Macau,
Maldives, Mariana Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka,
Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam (24 countries).
South-East Asia and Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Brunei, Cook Islands, East Timor, Fiji, Indonesia,
Kiribati, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands,
Tahiti, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu (20 countries).
Northern Africa: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti,
Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia,
Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo,
Tunisia (32 countries).
Southern Africa: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Congo Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Reunion Island, Rwanda, Sao Tome and
Principe, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe (24 countries).
Northern America: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa
Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras,
Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint
Martin, Sint Marteen, Turks and Caicos Islands, USA, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US) (32 countries).
Southern America: Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Curaçao, Ecuador,
French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Helena, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and
Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela (20 countries).
However, national and continental association (especially the latter) will have few tasks and little power, as the
structure and calendar of all championships and cups (both national and continental, and both for clubs and for
national teams) will be the same in all the world.

2. CLUBS
2.1.COMPETITIONS
Clubs will have four different competitions: National League, National Cup, Continental Cup and World Cup.
2.1.1. NATIONAL LEAGUE
In each country’s National League there will be:
- a first division (called A division) composed of 16 teams
-a B division with two groups (called B1 and B2) of 16 teams each (the groups belong to the same
level, and their composition will only follow geographic criteria)
-a C division with four groups (C1 to C4) of 16 teams each
-a D division with eight groups (D1 to D8) of 16 teams each
-an E division with sixteen groups (E1 to E16) of 16 teams each
And so on. Each division will have double the groups (and, therefore, double the teams) than the one
above. Each country will have a different number of divisions according to the number of teams.
The leagues will be played with a double round-robin format (every team will face each of the others
twice, once home and once away), so they will last 30 days.
2.1.2. NATIONAL CUP
There will be a cup for each single group of each division. The cup will be played by the sixteen teams
with a knockout format (round of sixteen, quarterfinals, semifinals and final). All the stages (including
the final) will be played in two rounds (home and away), so the cup will last 8 days.
So, there will not be a single National Cup, but there will be a cup for each group of each division.
2.1.3. CONTINENTAL CUP
There will be a continental cup for each of the eight continental areas. Four teams for each country
will take part in it: the winner, the runner-up and the third classified of the previous year’s A-division
league, and the winner of the previous year’s A-division cup. If the winner of the A-division cup is one
of the best three teams in the league, and therefore already takes part in the continental cup, the
fourth classified in the league will take part in the continental cup.
Since the eight continental areas have different numbers of countries (and, therefore, a different
number of teams will take part in the continental cup), the eight continental cups will have different
structures, but they all will last 17 days.
Groups and knockout stages will be played in two rounds (home and away), except the final (which
will be played in a single match).
2.1.3.1. EUROPE
Europe will be composed of 48 countries, so 192 teams will take part in the continental cup. They
will be divided into 64 groups of three, to be played with a double round robin format (6 days).
The first classified in each group will move to the next stage. The 64 remaining teams will play a
knockout tournament: round of 64 (2 days), round of 32 (2 days), round of 16 (2 days),
quarterfinals (2 days), semifinals (2 days) and final (1 day).
2.1.3.2. WESTERN ASIA
Western Asia will be composed of 24 countries, so 96 teams will take part in the continental cup.
They will be divided into 16 groups of six, to be played with a double round robin format (10
days). The first classified in each group will move to the next stage. The 16 remaining teams will
play a knockout tournament: round of 16 (2 days), quarterfinals (2 days), semifinals (2 days) and
final (1 day).

2.1.3.3. EASTERN ASIA
Eastern Asia will be composed of 24 countries, so 96 teams will take part in the continental cup.
They will be divided into 16 groups of six, to be played with a double round robin format (10
final (1 day).
2.1.3.4. SOUTH-EAST ASIA AND OCEANIA
South-East Asia and Oceania will be composed of 20 countries, so 80 teams will take part in the
continental cup. They will be divided into 16 groups of five, to be played with a double round
robin format (10 days). The first classified in each group will move to the next stage. The 16
remaining teams will play a knockout tournament: round of 16 (2 days), quarterfinals (2 days),
semifinals (2 days) and final (1 day).
2.1.3.5. NORTHERN AFRICA
Northern Africa will be composed of 32 countries, so 128 teams will take part in the continental
cup. They will be divided into 32 groups of four, to be played with a double round robin format (6
be divided into 8 groups of four, to be played with a double round robin format (6 days). The first
classified in each group will move to the next stage. The 8 remaining teams will play a knockout
tournament: quarterfinals (2 days), semifinals (2 days) and final (1 day).
2.1.3.6. SOUTHERN AFRICA
Southern Africa will be composed of 24 countries, so 96 teams will take part in the continental
cup. They will be divided into 16 groups of six, to be played with a double round robin format (10
final (1 day).
2.1.3.7. NORTHERN AMERICA
Northern America will be composed of 32 countries, so 128 teams will take part in the
continental cup. They will be divided into 32 groups of four, to be played with a double round
robin format (6 days). The first classified in each group will move to the next stage. The 32
remaining teams will be divided into 8 groups of four, to be played with a double round robin
format (6 days). The first classified in each group will move to the next stage. The 8 remaining
teams will play a knockout tournament: quarterfinals (2 days), semifinals (2 days) and final (1
day).
2.1.3.8. SOUTHERN AMERICA
Southern America will be composed of 20 countries, so 80 teams will take part in the continental
cup. They will be divided into 16 groups of five, to be played with a double round robin format
(10 days). The first classified in each group will move to the next stage. The 16 remaining teams
will play a knockout tournament: round of 16 (2 days), quarterfinals (2 days), semifinals (2 days)
and final (1 day).
2.1.4. WORLD CUP
The World Cup for clubs will take place every year in a different country (like it does now). The eight
winners of the eight continental cups will take part in it. The teams will be divided in 2 groups of four,
to be played with a round robin format (3 days). The winners of the two groups will then play the
final. So the cup lasts 4 days.

2.2.PROMOTIONS, RELEGATIONS AND PLAYOFFS
In each group of the National Leagues, the winner and the runner-up will be promoted to the division above,
while the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th classified will be relegated to the division below. Two teams will be promoted
and four times will be relegated because each division has double the groups than the one above and half the
groups than the one below.
Moreover, the winner of the cup (or the third classified of the league if the winner of the cup is the winner or the
runner-up of the league, and is therefore already promoted) will play the playoffs to be promoted, while the 11th
and 12th classified of the league will play the playoffs to avoid being relegated.
In these playoffs, teams of the higher division wishing not to be relegated will face teams of the lower division
wishing to be promoted. The 11th and the 12th classified of each group will face two teams of the division below
wishing to be promoted (winners of their cups or third classified in their league) in a four-team group to be played
with a double round robin format. The winner and the runner-up of this group will play in the higher division next
season, the other two will play in the lower division.
Example: the teams 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th classified of A-division league are relegated to B division. The
winner and the runner-up of B1 and B2 leagues are promoted to A division. Moreover, a group will be created
with:
-the 11th classified of A-division league
-the 12th classified of A-division league
-the winner of B1 cup (or the third classified of B1 league if the winner of B1 cup is the winner or the runner-up of
B1 league, and is therefore already promoted to A division)
-the winner of B2 cup (or the third classified of B2 league if the winner of B2 cup is the winner or the runner-up of
B2 league, and is therefore already promoted to A division)
After the group is played with a double round robin format (6 days), the winner and the runner-up will play in A
division next season, while the third and fourth classified will play in B division.
A division is composed of one group, and B division is composed of two groups, so in the example above there
were no doubts about the group to be created. In the lower divisions, which have more groups, the composition
of the playoff groups will follow geographic criteria.
Example: B division has two groups, and C division has four groups. So, 11th and 12th classified in B1 league may
be in the group with the winners of C1 and C2 cups (or the third classified of the respective leagues), and 11th
and 12th classified in B2 league may be in the group with the winners of C3 and C4 cups (or the third classified of
the respective leagues).
Another example: C division has four groups, and D division has eight groups. So, 11th and 12th classified in C1
league may be in the group with the winners of D1 and D2 cups (or the third classified of the respective leagues),
11th and 12th classified in C2 league may be in the group with the winners of D3 and D4 cups (or the third
classified of the respective leagues), 11th and 12th classified in C3 league may be in the group with the winners of
D5 and D6 cups (or the third classified of the respective leagues), and 11th and 12th classified in C4 league may
be in the group with the winners of D7 and D8 cups (or the third classified of the respective leagues).
In these examples we just followed the numerical order of the groups, but, as already mentioned, the
composition of the groups will follow geographic criteria.
If a team wins a cup (national or continental cup), it will in no case be relegated. If necessary, relegations will be
shifted by one position.
Example: the 14th classified in the league wins its group’s National Cup. As the team is 14th classified it should be
relegated, but since it won a cup it won’t. In this case, 16th, 15th, 13th and 12th classified will be relegated, and
11th and 10th classified will play the playoffs to avoid being relegated.
Another example: the 12th classified in A-division league wins the Continental Cup. As the team is 12th classified
it should play the playoffs to avoid being relegated, but since it won a cup it won’t. In this case, 16th, 15th, 14th
and 13th classified will be relegated, and 11th and 10th classified will play the playoffs to avoid being relegated.

3. NATIONAL TEAMS
3.1.COMPETITIONS
Also national teams will play a competition each year. They will play the World Cup in even years and the
Continental Cup (one for each of the eight continental areas) in odd years. Each competition will take place in
a different country each year (like it does now).
3.1.1. CONTINENTAL CUPS
Since the eight continental areas have different numbers of countries, the eight continental cups will
have different structures, but they all will last 7 days.
3.1.1.1. EUROPE
Europe will be composed of 48 countries. The teams will be divided into 16 groups of three, to be
played with a round robin format (3 days). The first classified in each group will move to the next
stage. The 16 remaining teams will play a knockout tournament: round of 16, quarterfinals,
semifinals and final.
3.1.1.2. WESTERN ASIA
Western Asia will be composed of 24 countries. The teams will be divided into 4 groups of six, to
be played with a round robin format (5 days). The first classified in each group will move to the
next stage. The 4 remaining teams will play a knockout tournament: semifinals and final.
3.1.1.3. EASTERN ASIA
Eastern Asia will be composed of 24 countries. The teams will be divided into 4 groups of six, to
be played with a round robin format (5 days). The first classified in each group will move to the
3.1.1.4. SOUTH-EAST ASIA AND OCEANIA
South-East Asia and Oceania will be composed of 20 countries. The teams will be divided into 4
groups of five, to be played with a round robin format (5 days). The first classified in each group
will move to the next stage. The 4 remaining teams will play a knockout tournament: semifinals
and final.
3.1.1.5. NORTHERN AFRICA
Northern Africa will be composed of 32 countries. The teams will be divided into 8 groups of four,
to be played with a round robin format (3 days). The first classified in each group will move to the
next stage. The 8 remaining teams will be divided into 2 groups of four, to be played with a round
robin format (3 days). The winners of the two groups will then play the final.
3.1.1.6. SOUTHERN AFRICA
Southern Africa will be composed of 24 countries. The teams will be divided into 4 groups of six,
to be played with a round robin format (5 days). The first classified in each group will move to the
3.1.1.7. NORTHERN AMERICA
Northern America will be composed of 32 countries. The teams will be divided into 8 groups of
four, to be played with a round robin format (3 days). The first classified in each group will move
to the next stage. The 8 remaining teams will be divided into 2 groups of four, to be played with a
round robin format (3 days). The winners of the two groups will then play the final.

3.1.1.8. SOUTHERN AMERICA
Southern America will be composed of 20 countries. The teams will be divided into 4 groups of
five, to be played with a round robin format (5 days). The first classified in each group will move
to the next stage. The 4 remaining teams will play a knockout tournament: semifinals and final.
3.1.2. WORLD CUP
All 224 countries will take part in the World Cup. The cup will be entirely played with a knockout
format.
The winners and the runner-ups of the previous year’s Continental Cups will not play the first rounds.
The remaining 208 teams will play the first round, and 104 of them will move to the second.
The eight runner-ups of the previous year’s cups will join the competition, so 112 teams will play the
second round, and 56 of them will move to the third.
The eight winners of the previous year’s cup will join the competition, so 64 teams will play the third
round. Then the tournament will go on with the standard knockout format, so the teams will turn 32,
then 16, then 8, then 4, then 2 and finally 1. The cup will therefore last 8 days.

4. CALENDAR
Football seasons will follow the solar year. The calendar will be the same for all countries and all continental areas
(of course, with time zone differences). Matches will be played on Sunday and, sometimes, in the middle of the
week (on Wednesday or Thursday). So, let’s see the whole calendar: ‘Mid’ means ‘Midweek’, while ‘Sun’ means
‘Sunday’ and the number next to it represents the number of the Sunday in the solar week, so ‘Sun 1’ is the first
Sunday of the year, ‘Sun 2’ is the second Sunday of the year, and so on, until ‘Sun 52’, which is the 52nd (and
usually the last) Sunday of the year.
Sun 1 –
Mid –
Sun 2 – National League / Day 1
Mid – Continental Cup / Day 1
Mid –
Mid –
Sun 7 – Continental Cup / Day 4
Mid –
Mid – National Cup / Match 1 of Round of 16
Mid –
Mid – National Cup / Match 2 of Round of 16
Mid –
Mid –
Sun 14 –
Mid –
Mid –
Sun 17 – National Cup / Day 13
Sun 18 – National Cup / Day 14
Mid –
Mid – National Cup / Match 1 of Quarterfinals
Sun 20 – National Cup / Match 2 of Quarterfinals
Mid –

Mid –
Mid –
Mid –
Sun 27 –
Mid –
Mid – National Cup / Match 1 of Semifinals
Mid –
Mid – National Cup / Match 2 of Semifinals
Mid –
Mid –
Mid –
Mid –
Mid – National Cup / Match 1 of Final
Sun 39 – National Cup / Match 2 of Final
Mid –
Sun 40 –
Mid –
Sun 41 – Continental Cup / Final
Mid –
Sun 42 – Playoffs / Day 1 – World Cup for clubs / Day 1
Mid – Playoffs / Day 2
Mid –
Mid – Playoffs / Day 5
Sun 45 – Playoffs / Day 6 – World Cup for clubs / Final
Mid –
Sun 46 –
Mid –
Sun 47 –

Mid – National Teams / Day 1 (only in even years)
Sun 48 – National Teams / Day 2 (day 1 in odd years)
Mid – National Teams / Day 3 (day 2 in odd years)
Mid –
Sun 52 –
When the year has 53 Sundays, the 53rd Sunday will be added in the end, so the break before the next season will
last three weeks instead of two.
The days of National Leagues and National Cups refer to all divisions and all groups.
The national associations will have the power to schedule the matches on Saturday, Sunday or Monday (to avoid
playing in national holidays and similar things), and at any time of the day. In National Leagues it will be possible
for the different divisions to play in different days (among the three mentioned above) and at different times of
the day, and the same will be possible for the different groups of each division, but in each group the eight
matches will have to be played simultaneously. The same conditions apply to National Cups.
The continental associations will have the power to schedule the Continental Cup’s matches on Wednesday or
Thursday (usually playing both days the same amount of matches) and at any time of the day. Matches of the
same group will have to be played simultaneously. Teams that play on Wednesday will not be allowed to play on
Monday in the previous National League (or Cup) day, and teams that play on Thursday will not be allowed to play
on Saturday in the following National League (or Cup) day, because all teams will always have to have at least two
free days between two matches.
In the competitions for National teams, matches will be played on Wednesday and Sunday, and the world
association will have the power to schedule them at any time of the day. Again, matches of the same group will
have to be played simultaneously.

5. NOTES
-The division between the weeks for clubs and the weeks for national teams will be very strict. The national teams
will never play until week 45, while weeks 46 to 51 will only be for national teams.
Even after a national teams is eliminated from the cup, it will still be allowed to train and play friendly matches,
with all the desired players. Clubs will still be allowed to train with the available players, but if a national team
wants a player and the players accepts to go than there is nothing the club can do. In this part of the season
(including the previous two weeks where no match is scheduled), national teams will have the power.
In the other part of the season(week 52 to week 45 of the following year), instead, national teams can
theoretically train with players who don’t have a club or that (even if it’s absurd) their club is willing to let go, but
clubs will have the power.
-Transfers of players will be allowed while national teams play (from Sunday 45 to Sunday 2 of the following year)
and during the breaks (from Sunday 13 to Sunday 15, from Sunday 26 to Sunday 28, and from Sunday 39 to
Sunday 41).
-In clubs’ matches, each team will have 11 players on the pitch and 12 players on the bench. In national teams’
cups (Continental Cups and World Cup), each team will call up 30 players for the cup, but in each match 11 of
them will be on the pitch and 12 on the bench (with the remaining 7 players not being part of the match). Of
course, it will be possible to alternate players on the field and on the bench (among the 30 who have been called
up) from one match to another, according to bans, injuries or just coach’s choices.

Football in the future

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