IFA7 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE™

Official International Football 7 Matches and Special Events

The IFA7 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE™ is an official international Football 7 competition platform organized or authorized by the International Football Association (IFA7).

It provides national teams, clubs and selected representative teams with opportunities to compete internationally outside IFA7’s principal championship cycle.

Each International Challenge is developed as an independent event with its own participating teams, host territory, sporting format and commercial structure.

A Flexible International Competition Platform

The IFA7 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE™ may be organized as:

• A match between two national teams

• A multi-nation international series

• A club-versus-club international match

• A national-team exhibition event

• A women’s international competition

• A youth international competition

• A veteran or masters competition

• A regional Football 7 challenge

• A special invitational event

• A competition-development test event

The format is established by IFA7 according to the objectives, participating teams and operational capacity of each host.

Purpose of the International Challenge

The competition was created to expand international Football 7 opportunities between major championship editions.

Its objectives include:

• Providing meaningful international matches

• Supporting national-team development

• Preparing teams for major IFA7 competitions

• Creating new international rivalries

• Developing emerging Football 7 territories

• Testing potential host cities and venues

• Promoting women’s, youth and veteran participation

• Supporting broadcast and commercial development

• Connecting clubs and national organizations

• Increasing international exposure for athletes

Every edition must operate under written IFA7 authorization.

Participating Teams

Depending on the applicable edition, participation may be available to:

• National teams representing IFA7 member associations

• National teams specifically approved by IFA7

• Clubs affiliated with authorized national organizations

• Internationally invited clubs

• Regional representative teams

• Women’s national or club teams

• Youth representative teams

• Veteran or masters teams

• Other delegations approved by IFA7

An invitation, nomination or expression of interest does not constitute final acceptance.

Participation becomes official only after IFA7 confirms the team in writing and all requirements have been completed.

National-Team Authorization

Only an organization holding current IFA7 authorization may select, register or promote an official national team for an International Challenge.

Historical participation, possession of previous documentation or use of a country’s name and flag does not establish current authority.

IFA7 may require verification of:

• Organizational identity

• Territorial authorization

• Governance

• National-team selection process

• Player eligibility

• Delegation leadership

• Administrative capacity

• Financial compliance

• Official communications

Teams must not announce confirmed participation until written acceptance has been issued.

Club Eligibility

Clubs may qualify or be invited according to the objectives of the applicable event.

IFA7 may consider:

• Domestic competition results

• Membership or affiliation

• Sporting history

• Competitive standard

• Organizational capacity

• International experience

• Commercial and media value

• Disciplinary record

• Compliance with IFA7 requirements

Club participation does not grant national representation or membership rights.

Competition Format

Each International Challenge may use a different format.

Potential formats include:

• Single international match

• Two-match series

• Round-robin competition

• Four-team tournament

• Group and knockout competition

• Home-and-away series

• International exhibition

• Development festival

The official format, match regulations and award structure will be confirmed in the applicable competition documentation.

IFA7 reserves the right to amend the format when required by sporting, operational, safety or broadcast conditions.

Official Competition Standards

An authorized IFA7 International Challenge may be subject to requirements concerning:

• Laws of the Game

• Player eligibility

• Team registration

• Match officials

• Uniforms and equipment

• Competition discipline

• Medical services

• Venue operations

• Security

• Match recording

• Broadcast and media

• Sponsorship

• Awards and ceremonies

• Institutional protocol

The applicable regulations will be issued to approved participants and organizers.

Hosting an International Challenge

The IFA7 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE™ offers qualified territories an opportunity to host international Football 7 without assuming the complete requirements of a major world championship.

Potential hosts may include:

• IFA7 member associations

• Authorized regional organizations

• Cities and municipalities

• Government sporting institutions

• Stadium and venue operators

• Qualified event promoters

• Clubs with international capacity

• Commercial partners working under IFA7 authorization

Every proposal is evaluated individually.

Host Requirements

A potential host may be required to provide:

• Appropriate competition venue

• Training facilities

• Accommodation

• Local transportation

• Medical and emergency services

• Security

• Event administration

• Match officials’ support

• Governmental or institutional coordination

• Marketing and communications

• Broadcast or streaming capability

• Sponsor and commercial plan

• Financial guarantees

• International delegation services

Meeting these requirements does not automatically grant hosting rights.

Hosting rights become effective only after execution of the applicable agreement and written authorization from IFA7.

Hosting Proposals

A hosting proposal should include:

• Proposed city and country

• Organizing entity

• Legal and ownership information

• Proposed dates

• Suggested teams or divisions

• Venue information

• Operational plan

• Preliminary budget

• Governmental or institutional support

• Broadcast plan

• Marketing strategy

• Sponsorship opportunities

• Accommodation and transportation plan

• Previous event experience

Applicants must not publicly announce an IFA7 event before receiving written authorization.

International Match Preparation

The International Challenge may be used by approved national teams and clubs to prepare for competitions such as:

• IFA7 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™

• IFA7 NATIONS CUP™

• IFA7 COPA AMÉRICA™

• IFA7 WORLD CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP™

• IFA7 SUPER CUP™

• Other official international competitions

Participation in an International Challenge does not guarantee acceptance into another IFA7 competition.

Broadcast and Media Rights

Broadcast, streaming, recording and commercial audiovisual rights connected to the IFA7 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE™ are controlled or authorized by IFA7 under the applicable event agreement.

No participant, host or third party may independently:

• Sell international broadcast rights

• Create an unauthorized live stream

• Commercialize match footage

• Present itself as an official broadcaster

• Distribute official graphics or broadcasts

• Sublicense media rights

• Use footage in unauthorized advertising

Media organizations must complete the applicable rights or accreditation process.

Sponsorship and Commercial Opportunities

Each International Challenge may offer partnership opportunities appropriate to the host market and competition format.

Potential rights may include:

• Presenting sponsorship

• Official event partnership

• Broadcast sponsorship

• Venue advertising

• Digital-media integration

• Hospitality

• Tourism promotion

• Official supplier rights

• Team-related activation

• Community programs

All sponsorship, licensing, merchandising and commercial rights require written authorization.

Local commercial rights do not include international rights unless expressly granted.

Intellectual Property

The following are protected IFA7 institutional and competition properties:

• IFA7

• International Football Association

• IFA7 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE™

• Official event names

• International Challenge logos

• Trophy and medal designs

• Match graphics

• Competition documents

• Promotional materials

• Broadcast elements

• Match footage and photography

• Official slogans and visual identities

No person or organization may register, reproduce, modify, commercialize, sublicense or distribute these properties without prior written authorization.

Hosting, participation, sponsorship or accreditation does not transfer ownership of IFA7 intellectual property.

Event Naming

Every authorized edition must use the official event name approved by IFA7.

An event name may include:

• IFA7 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE™

• Participating countries or clubs

• Host city or country

• Official year

• Approved presenting partner, where applicable

Hosts and participants may not create alternative event names, logos or identities without approval.

Official Information and Verification

Teams, event organizers, sponsors and broadcasters should verify all International Challenge proposals directly with IFA7 before entering into an agreement or making a payment.

Verification should confirm:

• Event authorization

• Host identity

• Participating-team status

• Payment recipient

• Scope of commercial rights

• Competition dates

• Venue

• Official IFA7 contact

• Applicable written agreement

IFA7 is not responsible for unauthorized commitments made by individuals or organizations acting outside their approved authority.

Propose an International Challenge

IFA7 welcomes serious proposals from:

• National member associations

• Authorized regional organizations

• National teams

• Established clubs

• Cities and government institutions

• Qualified event organizers

• Broadcasters

• Sponsors and commercial partners

Submitting a proposal does not grant authorization, exclusivity or permission to use IFA7 intellectual property.

Every proposal is subject to due diligence, sporting review, commercial evaluation and formal written approval.

Contact

Questions concerning participation, hosting, sponsorship or media rights should be submitted through IFA7’s official website.

International Football Association (IFA7)
International Headquarters
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Official Website: www.ifa7.com

© International Football Association (IFA7). All rights reserved. IFA7 INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE™, its logos, event identities, audiovisual content and related materials may not be used without prior written authorization.