2026 THANH NIEN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT - THACO CUP

TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS

1. TECHNICAL REGULATIONS:

   1. Tournament name:

      2026 THANH NIEN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT - THACO CUP
      • - Organizer: Thanh Nien News
      • - Organizing Partner: Vietnam Football Federation

   2. Participants:

      The tournament features six teams, including four teams of university students from South East Asia countries and two teams of Vietnamese university students.

   3. Player Eligibility:

      Players eligible to participate must meet the following criteria:
      • University students from participating countries.
      • From 18 to 27 years old (Born between January 1^st, 1999, and December 31^st, 2008, inclusive)

   4. Registration:

      • 4.1 Number of Participants: Each team may register a maximum of 7 officials and 23 players.
      • 4.2 Required documents:

        The player registration list must include the following information: full name, date of birth, playing position, passport number, place of issue, date of issue and date of expiry, issuing authority (applicable to all members), height, weight, field of study (major) and university (applicable to players).

        The team registration form must be submitted to the Organizing Committee no later than February 28^th, 2026, at the following address:
        Thanh Nien News, 268–270 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
        Late submissions may be rejected at the sole discretion of the Organizing Committee.
        Email: giaibongdaTNSV@thanhnien.vn
        Email: nammoc95@gmail.com.

        - The player registration list for the two Vietnamese teams shall be based on the rosters previously submitted for the 4^th Vietnam Student Football Championship - 2026 THACO Cup.

        - Teams are permitted to add or replace players (maximum of five (05) players). The deadline for such changes is March 24^th, 2026.

        - Any added or replaced players must strictly comply with the eligibility requirements and regulations set forth in the 4^th Vietnam Student Football Championship - 2026 Regulations.

        - The Organizing Committee reserves the right to approve or reject any proposed changes.

   5. Team Uniforms:

      • - Jersey/kits (for players): The Organizing Committee will provide a standardized kit registration form, including detailed instructions on size specifications and color selection. Each team will be supplied with two (02) sets of competition kits.

   6. Format and Scoring rules:

      • 6.1 Competition Format:

        The six teams will be divided into two groups, playing one round-robin format to calculate points and rankings. The first and second-place teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. The semifinal winners will compete in the Final match, while the losers will compete for third place.
        • 6.1.1 Mode of calculating points and ranking in the single round robin format
          • a. Three (3) points for a win
          • b. One (1) point for a draw and
          • c. Zero (0) point for a defeat
          Rankings will be determined based on total points.
        • 6.1.2 Tiebreaker Rules:

          If more than two teams are tied on points, the following criteria will be applied to determine the rankings of the teams concerned:

          First, results of the matches between the tied teams will be considered in the following order:

          • - Greater number of points obtained in all matches.
          • - Goal difference.
          • - Greater number of goals

          The team with the higher number in each category will be ranked higher.

        • 6.1.3 If there is still a tie after considering the above criteria, the following will be applied (based on all matches of the tournament):
          • - Goal difference in all matches.
          • - Greater number of goals.

          Again, the team with the higher number in each category will be ranked higher.

        • 6.1.4 If still tied, rankings will be determined by counting points as below principles:
          • - Yellow card: 1 point
          • - Red card (two yellow cards in the same match): 3 points
          • - Direct red card: 3 points
          • - One yellow card and one direct red card in the same match: 4 points

          Teams with fewer numbers will be ranked higher.

          In case of tie on points after considering above mentioned criteria, drawing lots will be conducted to determine ranking of teams (In case there are two teams tie on points and both teams are still on field of play, taking kicks from penalty shoot-out will be applied to determine ranking).

   7. Knockout Matches (Semi finals, Third place and Final Match)

      Played in knock – out format as single elimination. If these matches end in a draw after main playing time (80 minutes), taking kicks from penalty shoot-out will be applied to determine the winner (no extra-time).

   8. Laws of the Game and Other Regulations:

      • 8.1 The Laws of the Game as authorized by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) shall apply.
      • 8.2 For each match, each Team may register a maximum of twenty (20) players (11 starting players and 9 substitutes).
      • 8.3 Substitution of Players

        Each Team is permitted to use a maximum of five (5) substitutes in a maximum of three (3) substitution opportunities.

        After the Match Starting List has been submitted to the Match Commissioner at the prescribed time prior to kick-off, but before the match has commenced:

        If any of the eleven (11) starting players designated on the Match Starting List are unable to start the match for any reason, they may be replaced by any of the substitutes listed on the Match Starting List.

        The Team Manager must immediately notify the Match Commissioner of the changes for the purpose of updating and re-issuing the official Match Starting List.

        The player(s) replaced from the original eleven (11) starting players shall no longer be permitted to remain on the Match Starting List for that match. Such replacement shall not reduce the number of substitutions or the number of substitution opportunities available to the Team during the match; however, the Team shall not be permitted to nominate any additional substitute(s), and the number of substitutes on the Match Starting List shall be reduced accordingly.

      • 8.4 Match Duration: Each match shall last eighty (80) minutes, comprising two (2) equal periods of forty (40) minutes (with a half-time interval of 15 minutes).
      • 8.5 Match Balls: Balls from “Dong Luc” have been approved by FIFA.

   9. Disciplinary

      • 9.1 The Organizing Committee shall exercise disciplinary jurisdiction over all violations committed by any participant throughout the duration of the tournament.
      • 9.2 A player who receives two (02) yellow cards in the same match (indirect red card) shall be sent off and automatically suspended from the following match.
      • 9.3 A player who accumulates two (02) yellow cards in two (02) different matches shall be suspended from the following match.
      • 9.4 A player who is sent off (direct red card) shall be suspended for at least the next match. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to extend the duration of the suspension depending on the severity of the infringement.

   10. Complaints:

       • 10.1 Complaints against the Referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play shall not be entertained. Such decisions include, but are not limited to: whether a goal was scored or not, offside, or penalty decisions.
       • 10.2 Complaints regarding other matters (excluding Article 9.1) must be submitted in writing, signed by the Team Leader, and delivered to the Organizing Committee via the Match Commissioner no later than two (2) hours after the conclusion of the match. The Match Commissioner must provide a comprehensive report to the Organizing Committee immediately upon receipt of the protest.
       • 10.3 If a complaint is found to be unfounded or fails to comply with the regulations, the Organizing Committee shall review the case and may impose disciplinary measures against the complaining party.

   11. Tournament Schedule and Venue:

       • Duration: From March 28^th to April 5^th, 2026
       • Venue: Nha Trang University Stadium (No. 2 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Vinh Phuoc Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province)

   12. Match Commissioner, Referees and Coordinators:

       Match Commissioner, referees, and coordinators will be appointed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Vietnam Football Federation.

2. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS:

   1. Prizes:

      • 1.1 Champion: Trophy, medals, and prize money of 6,000 USD
      • 1.2 Runner-up: Medals and prize money of 4,000 USD
      • 1.3 Third Place: Medals and prize money of 2,000 USD
      • 1.4 Fair Play Award of 1,500 USD
      • 1.5 Top Scorer: $500 USD
        In the event of a tie for the highest number of goals, the players will be recognized as top scorers, and the prize money will be divided equally among them.
      • 1.6 Most Valuable Player (MVP): $500 USD
      • 1.7 Best Goalkeeper: $500 USD
      • 1.8 Best Referee Team: $500 USD
      • 1.9 Player of the Match: $100 USD per match

   2. Meals, Accommodation, Transportation, and Allowances for Members of the Organizing Committee, Tournament Staff, and Technical Personnel:

      (Specific financial regulations are outlined in a separate document.)

   3. Regulations on Meals, Accommodation, and Transportation for Teams:

      • 3.1 The Organizing Committee will arrange meals and accommodation for the participating teams:
        • - Number of people: A maximum of 30 individuals per team (6 single rooms for officials and 12 double rooms for coaches and players).
        • - Meal arrangements: 3 meals per day, with additional light meals provided on match days.
      • 3.2 Duration: From March 25^th, 2026 to the end of April 6^th, 2026. In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond the teams’ control (such as flight delays or cancellations), the Organizing Committee shall continue to provide accommodation and meals until the teams’ official departure from Nha Trang.
      • 3.3 Travel arrangements:
        • - International travel will be arranged for the teams (other travel arrangements must be approved by the Organizing Committee).
        • - The Organizing Committee will arrange local transportation (airport pick-up and drop-off, and daily local transportation within Nha Trang City, specifically covering the central, northern, western, and southern districts (formerly known as the old Nha Trang City area, Khanh Hoa Province) for the teams. Each team shall be provided with one (01) 45-seat bus for official tournament activities.
      • 3.4 Laundry service at the hotel:
        • - Officials: 1 set per person per day.
        • - Players: 1 set per person per day.

   4. Regulations on Meals, Accommodation, Travel, and Payment for Match Supervisors, Referees, and Coordinators:

      • 4.1 The Organizing Committee will arrange meals and accommodation for match commissioner, referees, and coordinators on duty during the tournament:
        • - Number of personnel: 11 people (single rooms for Match Commissioner, coordinators, and international referees; twin rooms for domestic referees).
        • - Meal arrangements: 3 meals per day, with additional light meals provided on match days.
      • 4.2 Duration: From March 25^th, 2026 to April 6^th, 2026. If unforeseen circumstances beyond the teams’ control (such as flight delays or cancellations) arise, the Organizing Committee shall continue to provide accommodation and meals until they return home.
      • 4.3 Travel arrangements:
        • - The Organizing Committee shall reimburse actual travel expenses for economy class tickets (based on invoices).
        • - The Organizing Committee shall arrange transportation (airport pick-up, drop-off, and daily local transportation within the following areas of Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province: Central Nha Trang, North Nha Trang, West Nha Trang, and South Nha Trang (within the boundaries of the original Nha Trang city limits) for Match Commissioners, referees, and coordinators using a 16-seat bus.
      • 4.4 Allowances: The Organizing Committee will issue specific regulations.

   5. Ticket and Pass Allocation:

      • 5.1 Teams and other tasked members: The Organizing Committee will invite them to watch all matches.

3. REGULATIONS ON AMENDMENTS TO THE REGULATIONS:

   Only Thanh Nien Newspaper has the authority to amend and supplement these regulations through specific official announcements.

2026 THANH NIEN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT - THACO CUP

With technical support from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and title sponsorship from THACO Group, Thanh Nien News is organizing the 2026 Thanh Nien International Student Football Tournament - THACO Cup, taking place from March 28^th to April 5^th, 2026.

The tournament features six student teams, including two from Vietnam (the reigning champion of the 4^th Vietnam Thanh Nien Student Football Championship 2026 and the host team from Nha Trang University), along with four teams from universities across Southeast Asia.

Matches will be held at the stadium of Nha Trang University, located at No. 2 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Bac Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.

This is the second Thanh Nien International Student Football Tournament organized by Thanh Nien News, following the resounding success of the inaugural edition held in 2025.