Tournament Overview

Players are strictly prohibited from participating in two different teams on any occasion.

Registration for Dignity Cup 2026 closing on 31 March, 2026.

Registration closes when the age group reaches capacity. Secure your spot by registering your team and players early, as it's first-come, first-served.

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Team Registration

6-a-side Registration: Dignity Cup 6-a-side

Min. squad size: 8 players

Max. squad size: 10 players

Registration fee: RM200 /team

7-a-side Registration: Dignity Cup 7-a-side

Min. squad size: 10 players

Max. squad size: 12 players

Registration fee: RM240 /team

9-a-side Registration: Dignity Cup 9-a-side

Min. squad size: 12 players

Max. squad size: 15 players

Registration fee: RM300 /team

11-a-side Registration: Dignity Cup 11-a-side

Min. squad size: 15 players

Max. squad size: 20 players

Registration fee: RM400 /team

Secondary Volleyball Registration: Secondary

Min. squad size: 8 players

Max. squad size: 10 players

Registration fee: RM180 /team

Primary Volleyball Registration: Primary

Min. squad size: 8 players 

Max. squad size: 10 players

Registration fee: RM180 /team

Teams will need to provide the following information about their players:

• Full name

• Date of Birth

• Nationality & Ethnicity 

• Pictures of front & back of their Identity Documents 

(UNHCR Card / UNHCR Letter / Malaysian IC / Passport / Community Card / Student Card)

• Player jersey number (if applicable)

• Medical conditions 

• Emergency contact info

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Registration Fees Payment

6-a-side Team Registration Fee: RM200 per team

7-a-side Team Registration Fee: RM240 per team

9-a-side Team Registration Fee: RM300 per team

11-a-side Team Registration Fee: RM400 per team

Secondary Volleyball Team Registration Fee: RM 180 per team

Primary Volleyball Team Registration Fee: RM 180 per team

Registration fee payment to be made to

Dignity for Children Foundation

3218322436 (Public Bank)

Please indicate “DC26 [your learning center name]” in the reference and submit your proof of payment in the registration form.

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Important Notes:

• All fee payments are non-refundable.

• A team will only be officially registered upon receiving a confirmation letter from the Dignity Cup organizer.

• In the event of adding and/or replacing player(s) beyond the registration deadline, a fee of RM50 per addition or per replacement of a player may be charged on a case-by-case basis.

• Requests for adding and/or replacing player(s) submitted later than 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the tournament and during the tournament will not be entertained unless accompanied by a legitimate reason and supporting evidence.

• The Dignity Cup organiser reserves the right to assess such requests on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the provided justification and proof.

*Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, allowing grassroots football clubs to participate. For inquiries regarding club participation, please contact +6016 738 7262

The Dignity Cup 2026 will be held at various outdoor fields in the Klang Valley from June to July 2025. The tentative dates are as follows:

• 31th March 2026: Last day of Registration 

• 1 April - 30 April 2026: Pre-tournament Verification

• 6th June 2026: Group Stage Day 1 (Small Sided)

• 20th June 2026: Group Stage Day 2 (Small Sided)

• 27th June 2026: Volleyball (One Day Event)

• 4th July 2026: Quarter & Semi-finals (Small Sided)

• 18th July 2026: 3rd Place Playoffs & Finals (Small Sided)

• 25th July 2026: 3rd Place Playoffs & Finals (11-a-side & Closing Ceremony)

All dates listed above are subject to change.

11-a-side U18 Boys will have a different schedule and venues for the group stage and knockout stage.

Please stay updated by following our Instagram account @dignitycupofficial for the latest information.

This year’s Dignity Cup 2026, we have the new 6-a-side format for Primary boys & girls ( U8, U10, U12 ). Additionally, a new 7-a-side format for Secondary girls (U14, U16, U18). Moreover, the new 9-a-side format for Secondary boys (U14, U16, U18) and the original 11-a-side format for Secondary U18 boys will continue.

Small Sided Categories

• U8 Boys & Girls (6-a-side)

• U10 Boys & Girls (6-a-side)

• U12 Boys & Girls (6-a-side)

• U14, U16 & U18 Girls (7-a-side)

• U14, U16 & U18 Boys (9-a-side)

11-a-side Categories [Min. squad size: 15 players | Max. squad size: 20 players]

• U18 Boys ONLY
  
  

Volleyball Categories

• Primary Volleyball (U12 Mixed)

• Secondary Volleyball (U14 & U18) - Boys & Girls

Dignity Cup 2026 will operate for age groups from Under 10 to Under 18, with the following date of birth cut-offs for all players:

Football Age Categories 

Under 8: Born January 1st 2018 and later

Under 10: Born January 1st 2016 and later

Under 12: Born January 1st 2014 and later

Under 14: Born January 1st 2012 and later

Under 16: Born January 1st 2010 and later

Under 18: Born January 1st 2008 and later

Volleyball Age Categories 

Primary Volleyball

Under 12: Born January 1st 2014 and later

Secondary Volleyball

Under 14: Born January 1st 2012 and later

Under 18: Born January 1st 2008 and Later

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Important Notes:

• All players (both boys and girls) must adhere to the aforementioned age group cut-offs.

• Shin Guards are MANDATORY to be worn for all football players!

• Strictly no over-age players are allowed.

• It is mandatory for players to present valid and authentic identity documents for age verification during the registration and verification process.

• The issue date on all identity documents must be before February 1st, 2026.

• The Dignity Cup organizer reserves the right to deny registration or disqualify a player if authentic identity documents are not provided to verify the player's age and/or if the player is found to be overage.

Player Eligibility:

All players must adhere to the specified age group cut-offs. Strictly no over-age players are allowed.

All players must be registered and verified by the organizer before the commencement of the tournament.

Players may not transfer to another team on any occasion. Once registered for a team, they may not play for another team in the same tournament.

Players are strictly prohibited from participating in two different teams on any occasion. If a player is found registered for more than one team, the player will be disqualified, and both teams are not allowed to replace them with a new player.

Pre-tournament Verification

A physical verification of players will be conducted from April to May 2026. Each player must present valid and authentic identity documents for age verification. Players unable to prove their age will not be allowed to play. 

Player registrations are the responsibility of the coach and team manager; any player not verified before the commencement of the Dignity Cup will not be permitted to play.

Match Day Registration (Team Profile)

Every verified team will receive a copy of the Team Profile on the first day of match day registration, serving as proof of verification. The Team Profile must be kept by the coach throughout the tournament.  

Teams are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before the match day commences for registration. All players must be registered through the Team Profile during match day registration. Teams failing to complete match day registration will not be denied entry to the field and will not be allowed to play.

Failure to show the Team Profile for the subsequent matches will be denied entry to continue with the tournament. 

Penalty

A penalty kick is awarded for fouls committed by defenders against attackers inside the penalty area, deliberate handball by a defender, or fouls by the goalkeeper against an opponent inside the penalty area. If a penalty has been awarded and the whistle sounds, the penalty is to be taken.

During a penalty kick situation, the kick is taken from the first penalty spot, approximately 5 meters from the goal line and the center of the goal. Only the opposing team's goalkeeper is allowed to defend the goal at the moment, on the goal line. Other players must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked.

Keep distance

During free kicks, corner kicks and kick-in from side-line, opposing players are required to stand 5 meters away from the player taking the kick.

Goalkeeper

Drop kicks : Prohibited in a 6/7/9-a-side match.

Back pass: Only the use of feet is allowed during a pass back, except if the pass back is made using the head, chest, or shoulder. The sanction is an indirect free kick from where the referee instructs.

Goal kick: No goal kick is allowed; the goalkeepers restart play by distributing ball with their hands.

Substitution for the goalkeeper is only allowed at half-time or in case of injury. During a penalty shoot-out, the substitution of the goalkeeper is allowed at any time.

Round Robin

The volleyball tournament will be conducted in a round robin format, where all teams play against each other within their respective categories.

Best of 3 Sets

Matches are played in a best-of-three sets format. Sets 1 and 2 are played to 25 points, while the third set, if required, is played to 15 points. Sets 1 and 2 = 25 points | Set 3 = 15 points

The first team to win two sets is declared the winner of the match and a match win earns the team one point.

2 sets to win → Match win = 1 point

Time Cap

If only time runs out or a category has a large number of teams registered, all matches are time-controlled to ensure that each category can be completed within a single day.

If a match is not finished within the allotted time, the current rally will be completed and the team leading at that point will be declared the winner of the set or match. In the event of a tie, a sudden-death point will be played to determine the winner.

*The organisers reserve the right to adjust the tournament format or match regulations based on the number of teams registered. Any changes necessary to ensure the smooth running of the tournament, including modifications to group sizes, match formats or scheduling, will be communicated prior to the start of the matches.

Squad Size & Substitutions

Each team must register a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 10 players, with at least 6 players on the court at all times.

Substitutions are allowed without limit, provided that rotation rules are followed.

For U12 Mixed teams, each team must include a minimum of 3 girls during registration.

A minimum of 2 girls must be on the court at all times for fairness and equality. 

Time allowance

Teams must not be more than 10 minutes late to their kick-off. If a team is more than 10 minutes late, they run the risk of a walkover (3-0) being awarded to their opponent.

Yellow & red cards

The referee has the authority to issue disciplinary sanctions* to players and coaching staff using yellow and red cards from the moment they enter the field of play until they leave after the final whistle.

Consequences of yellow & red cards:

🟨 🟨 2 Yellow Cards in 2 different games: 1 match suspension 

🟨 🟨 = 🟥 2 Yellow Cards in 1 same game: Direct send-off + 1 match suspension 

🟥 Direct Red: Direct send-off + 2 match suspension 

A player who is sent off cannot be replaced, and their team must play the remainder of the game with one fewer player.

Red and yellow card counts reset after the quarterfinals, but previous suspension time must still be served.

*Refer to Law 12 of the FIFA Laws of the Game for detailed fouls & misconducts.

Time wasting

Time-wasting is prohibited during the match. The opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick, and persistent time-wasting may result in a yellow card.

Field Access 

Field access during the match is restricted to Dignity Cup personnel, coaches, and players of the match only.

Technical area

Coaches are required to stay within their designated technical area at all times. Failure to comply will result in a warning, and repeated offenses may lead to removal from the field area.

Unsuitable playing conditions

In the event that lightning, bad weather or unsafe playing conditions causes a stop in play, a match result will stand if the first half has been completed or more than 50% of the match has been played.

If less than 50% of the match has been played at the time of the stoppage, the remainder of the match will be played once conditions are deemed safe by the organiser.

Miscellaneous Rules

• Player attire & grooming： 

Teams must be in proper gear. Only football boots, sports shoes, or school shoes are allowed. Player with improper attire will not be allowed to play. No glasses may be worn during matches. Shin Guard is MANDATORY for all players.

Players requiring glasses must use sports goggles for their safety. Players with long nails will be required to trim them short before the match to avoid causing harm to other players.

• Feedback and protests:
  Any team wishing to dispute a result or make a protest regarding a match will have 30 minutes from the date of the match to raise the issue by email to the organising committee. Any decision made by the organising committee is final.

To share your feedback on any issue, please contact us by email at sports@edu.dignityforchildren.org

• Injuries & loss of property:
  The Dignity Cup organiser, Dignity for Children Foundation, and its affiliates will be in no way responsible for any injury, illness, accident or loss of property resulting from or sustained during the tournament and shall not be responsible for any expenses incurred. 

• Updates to rules and/or formats:
  At any time, the Dignity Cup organizer reserves the right to change, amend, delete, or add to the rules and regulations at its absolute discretion without prior notification to the participants.

The Dignity Cup organizer reserves the right to disqualify or remove any player, coach, or team from the tournament for non-compliance with rules and regulations or engaging in aggressive, provocative, or offensive behavior that brings the game of football into disrepute. 

The Dignity Cup organiser reserves the right to remove any spectators from the tournament who engages in conduct that contradicts the objectives of the Dignity Cup in promoting peace, fairness, hope, dignity, and safety. This includes inappropriate behaviour, using of foul language, violent conduct, false accusations against the organizer and/or actions that may endanger the safety of others. 

All decisions of the Dignity Cup organizer are final and binding.

Court & Net Regulations

All matches will be conducted on standard indoor volleyball courts, with net height and dimensions following official guidelines for each age category.

For all age categories, the indoor volleyball court size is:

• Court size: 18 m × 9 m

• Attack line: 3 m from the centre line

• Free zone: Minimum 3 m (Subject to venue limitations)

Only players, coaches, referees and scorekeeper are allowed on the court during the match.

Net height will follow official age category standards, with adjustments made according to the age group to ensure fair and safe competition.

• U12 Mixed - 2.13M

• U14 Boys and Girls - 2.24M

• U18 Boys - 2.43M

• U18 Girls - 2.24

*The organisers reserve the right to adjust net height based on category, venue limitations or mixed-team requirements.

Match Play Rules

Standard indoor volleyball rules apply, including rotation, serving, scoring, faults and substitutions. A team must have at least 6 players on the court to start or continue a match. In the event a player is injured and the team falls below 6 players, the match will be forfeited.

Serving Rule

A team must serve the ball within 8 seconds after the referee’s whistle to start the rally. Failure to serve within this time will result in the loss of serve to the opposing team. Foot faults, where a server steps on or over the end line before contacting the ball, are not permitted.

Rotation / Position Rules

Teams must rotate in the correct order when gaining serve. Players cannot occupy two positions at once, front/back row must be maintained.

Net Rules

Players may not touch the net during the action of playing the ball. Contact with the net by hair, clothing or body outside a play action is not a fault.

Attack / Block Rules

Back-row players in general may not attack-hit the ball in front of the three-meter attack line if the ball is completely above net height. Player cannot block or attack a serve.

Libero Rules

Libero player may replace any back-row player without prior notice to the referee, following official rotation and substitution rules. Libero is restricted to back-row positions and may not serve, attack above the net or attempt a block.

Ball Handling Rules

Ball handling must be clean, with no carrying, lifting or double contact allowed. The ball must be cleanly hit, no prolonged contact.

Timeouts

Each team is allowed 2 timeout per set, lasting up to 30 seconds.

Deuce Rule

In all sets, a team must win by at least two points. If the score reaches a tie at 24 - 24 in sets 1 or 2, or 14 - 14 in the deciding third set, play will continue until one team leads by two points. There is no point cap; sets continue until the two-point margin is achieved.

Centreline Rules

Players are not allowed to step on or completely over the centreline under the net with any part of their body. Crossing the centreline may result in a fault if it interferes with the opponent or causes unsafe play.

Scorekeeping

Scorekeeper confirms points and serves as official record of rotations and substitutions. Any dispute must be resolved by the referee.

Yellow & Red Card Rules

Referees may issue yellow or red cards to players or coaches for unsportsmanlike behaviour, misconduct or repeated violations of the rules.

A 🟨 yellow card serves as an official warning and the recipient must be informed of the reason.

A 🟥 red card results in immediate penalty, which may include loss of rally, loss of points or ejection from the set or match.

Repeated offences or serious misconduct may result in disqualification from the match or the tournament.

All decisions made by referees regarding yellow and red cards are final.

Unsuitable Playing Conditions

Matches may be delayed, paused or rescheduled if conditions are deemed unsafe or unsuitable for play, and the decision of the organisers is final.

Time Allowance & Match Duration

Matches are scheduled to ensure that all games are completed within one day. Organisers may adjust match durations or formats if necessary to maintain the tournament schedule.

Football Awards

• Trophy for Champions ONLY (each category)

• Medals for 1st-3rd place (each category)

• Participants' Medals for all participants (each category)

• Best Player Awards (each category)

• Top Scorer Awards (each category)

• Best Goalkeeper Awards (each category)

• Top Assist Award (Only 11-a-side)
  
  

Volleyball Awards

• Trophy for Champions ONLY (each category)

• Medals for 1st-3rd place (each category)

• Participants' Medals for all participants (each category)

• Most Valuable Player (MVP) (each category)

• Best Server Awards (each category)

• Best Defender Awards (each category)

• Best Spiker Awards (U14 & U18 Category)

• Best Setter Awards (U14 & U18 Category)

All participants, including players, parents, coaches, and spectators, involved in Dignity Cup are expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with these guidelines may lead to the removal of individuals or teams from the tournament. The Code of Conduct is divided into three sections, addressing different individuals involved in the tournament:

Coaches / Team Managers

• Coaches must exemplify good behaviour and sportsmanship, and should act with professionalism, respect, honesty, and good faith at all times. 

• Coaches that exhibit unacceptable behavior, including raising their voice to an inappropriate level or using foul language, may be asked to leave the pitch and could face a ban from coaching league games.

• Coaches are not allowed to coach outside of the designated technical area. 

• Coaches are responsible for managing the behavior of parents and spectators. Any issues raised by parents should be communicated by the coach on their behalf.

• Failure to adhere to the code of conduct may result in the removal of coaches from venues and a ban from Dignity Cup matches.

As a coach or team manager in Dignity Cup, I agree to uphold the Code of Conduct by:

• Prioritizing the well-being, enjoyment, and safety of the players.

• Focusing on player development and ensuring equal playing opportunities.

• Showing respect to everyone involved in the game.

• Abiding by the rules and promoting the spirit of the game.

• Encouraging fair play and maintaining high standards of behavior.

• Respecting the referee and encouraging players to do the same.

• Avoiding entering the field of play without the referee’s permission.

• Rejecting offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behavior.

• Being aware of the impact of bad language on others.

• Displaying sportsmanship in victory and defeat.

• Respecting the facilities I am at.

Players Code of Conduct

• Play by the rules of the game.

• Give your best effort and work for the good of your team.

• Respect teammates, coaches, officials, and all personnel at the venue during matches.

As a player in Dignity Cup, I agree to uphold the Code of Conduct by:

• Always playing my best for the benefit of the team.

• Playing fairly and fostering a friendly environment.

• Abiding by the rules and respecting the referee.

• Listening carefully to my coach.

• Understanding that the coach acts in the best interest of the team.

• Encouraging my teammates.

• Respecting the facilities I am at.

Spectators

• Watch matches from designated spectating zones.

• Avoid standing directly behind the goal posts.

• Refrain from coaching from the touchline and leave coaching to the designated coach.

• Do not enter the field of play.

• Do not audibly dispute a referee’s decision.

As a parent or guardian in Dignity Cup, I agree to uphold the Code of Conduct by:

• Celebrating good efforts from both teams.

• Respecting referees, coaches, and players, encouraging the players and their team to do the same.

• Staying behind the touchline or in designated supporter areas.

• Offering encouragement when players make mistakes.

• Rejecting offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behavior.

• Respecting the facilities I am at.

• Having fun and enjoying match day.

As a player, coach, and spectators, I understand that failure to follow the Code of Conduct may lead to suspension or removal from Dignity Cup.