FAQ

GENERAL

What is the origin of the Nations Cup?

During the pandemic, four friends from Brazil, Italy, Spain, and Japan found themselves longing for the camaraderie and excitement that football brings. They dreamed of creating a World Cup—a tournament where they could connect with fellow nationals and experience the richness of other football cultures, all while proudly representing their countries right here in the Netherlands.

Why are you organizing the Nations Cup?

Our tournament is all about bringing amateur football lovers together. Here, anyone can feel the thrill of a World Cup in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. It’s also a great chance for both locals and expats to meet new friends, connect with fellow countrymen, and become part of a lively, supportive community.

Our mission is simple: to deliver the excitement of a World Cup in a friendly, affordable, and open setting. Our vision goes even further: uniting the world through sport while helping every player live out their own football dreams.

Where does the Nations Cup take place?

Our tournament is held in the beautiful Randstad region, providing a vibrant and scenic backdrop for the matches. The exact location of the matches will depend on the availability of football venues. We strive to secure the best possible venues for the tournament, ensuring a conducive and enjoyable playing environment for all teams. Details regarding the specific locations will be communicated closer to the tournament date.

Who can participate?

The Nations Cup tournament is open to all sportspeople who have a passion for football. Our tournament is designed for amateur players in mind, many of whom have weekday work commitments. Tournaments are scheduled on weekends to accommodate busy schedules.

All countries can register for the Nations Cup?

YES, the Nations Cup is open to sportspeople from every country. We are independent of clubs and football federations. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the invasion of Ukraine and we urge for a lasting peaceful solution to all conflicts. We stand in solidarity with the local peacebuilding community, working tirelessly to reduce tensions and build mutual understanding.

Are there any prizes or awards for the winners?

Yes! Medals are awarded to the top three teams and the winning team will be honored with a trophy to celebrate their victory. Additionally, the four best teams will be featured in the tournament’s Hall of Fame on our website, immortalizing their achievement.

REGISTRATION

How does the registration process work?

Loyal teams get early access with a private registration link, giving them a 7-day head start. After that, registration opens to all teams and the registration form can be found within the Fixtures block (‘Registration deadline’ event) or through the tournament blog post on our homepage. You can register unlimited players in your team, so no need to send any players’ information.

How do I complete my registration?

Please use the WhatsApp chat or the contact form available in our website to share the proof of payment and your contact number (to coordinate the matches and refereeing). Kindly note that teams are not fully registered until they have completed their payment.

Is there an age restriction to participate in the tournament?

The Nations Cup is open to participants of all ages, as long as they meet the minimum age requirement of 18. We encourage players of different age groups to join and showcase their skills in a fun and amateur environment.

What is the nationality requirement for team participation?

To promote diversity and international spirit, we require each team to have a minimum of 70% nationals.

Can individual players join if they don't have a team?

Yes, individual players who don’t have a team can still participate in the tournament. We offer an option for individual registration, and our team will assist in forming teams or assigning individuals to existing teams. Please use the WhatsApp chat or the contact form available in our website

LOGISTICS

How is the tournament structured?

The tournament consists of a group phase followed by a final knockout stage. Teams compete in the group phase to secure their spot in the knockout stage.

How many players are on the field during matches?

During regular seasons, we play 8-a-side matches. However, during the winter season, we switch to 5-a-side matches.

What type of football boots should I use?

We recommend Turf and artificial grass football boots (bladed studs or metal tipped boots are not allowed). During regular seasons, we play 8-a-side matches on artificial grass and natural grass. During the winter season, we switch to 5-a-side matches on short artificial grass (turf).

Who referees the matches?

We have external referees for all matches. In the spirit of fairness and collaboration, participating teams are responsible for helping the referees. This ensures a shared responsibility and allows players to gain a deeper understanding of the game.

Are spectators allowed to attend the matches?

Absolutely! We encourage friends, family, and supporters to come and cheer for their favorite teams during the matches. The tournament provides a fantastic opportunity for spectators to enjoy thrilling matches, witness impressive skills, and show their support for the participants.

TESTIMONIALS

Timur

Nations cup is a great tournament to be a part of to make new friends from your own and other countries. It is solid, offers an opportunity to enjoy football as a competitive game, build new connections with families and friends and obviously have a chance to win a real trophy! Come on, join in! What are you waiting for?

Kazakhstan

Koko

It was excellent. Well run, friendly but competitive, it was a perfect international social event!!

Australia

Shirley

Although not having a good experience with referees, the tournament was SUPER FUN!

Francisc

Everything went just fine. One referee though, had nothing to do with this sport or any physical sport. Great tournament though. Well organized and good teams. Nice to be there

Romania

Santiago

Overal quite a nice tournament. Well organized and clear. Great opportunity to gather some of your country fellows and play some football. We had a nice time!

Portugal

Saurabh

Great tournament, had lots of fun. Well organized as well!

India

Alexis

Muy lindo lugar para hacer deporte al aire libre 👌

Uruguay

Tiffany

Amazing day, Thank you for organizing this amazing tournament!

Valentina

So proud to be part of the first edition of the Women’s Nations Cup. It was competitive but also super fun. It was also a great opportunity to meet other women from different nations, who are just as passionate about football. Looking forward to a bigger edition next time round. Thanks Javi and the organisers for a fab tournament.

Australia

Federico

Nos basta que el ambiente no sea realmente competitivo y que la gente no sea agresiva jugando o grosera en el campo. Nuestro objetivo al ser parte de este torneo es divertirnos, jugar fútbol y compartir tiempo con gente agradable. Buen trabajo muchachos.

Argentina

Juan

El torneo estuvo espectacular. Conoci a otros compatriotas uruguayos… ¡un golazo! Volveremos seguro 🇺🇾⚽️