Morocco qualified for the quarter-finals of the Kings World Cup Nations on Monday and will face the United States for a place in the semi-finals. A look back at the original rules of this sport which is growing in popularity.
The Kings League, created by former Spanish player Gerard Piqué, shakes up the traditional codes of football. This innovative format, halfway between sport and entertainment, introduces new rules that make each match unpredictable. Here is a complete breakdown of the specifics of this extraordinary competition.
A dynamic and evolving match format
Kings League matches are played in two 20-minute halves, but they are distinguished by their unique organization.
A progressive start: Each match begins in a reduced format, with two players per team (a field player and a goalkeeper). The engagement is inspired by water polo: the players place themselves behind their goal line, and the ball is released in the center from a suspended cage.
After each minute, an additional player joins the field, switching to 3 v 3, then 4 v 4, until reaching a classic 7 v 7 format in the fifth minute.
Strategic interruptions:
At the 18th minute of the first half, the game stops for a key event: a die is rolled, determining the number of players who will complete this period. This can lead to some surprising setups, like a 4v4 or a 1v1.
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Two minutes from the end of the match (38th minute), the rules are still evolving. If the score is tied, the match switches to a “golden goal”, where the next team to score wins the match. If a team is leading, then all goals scored in the last two minutes count double.
Rules of the game: between tradition and innovation
Simplified offside: In the Kings League, the offside rule only applies beyond the penalty area line, which opens up new tactical opportunities in the center of the field.
Inspired commitments: At the start of the match or after each goal, the commitments are made with the players starting behind their goal line, reminiscent of aquatic disciplines such as water polo.
Redesigned disciplinary sanctions
The Kings League introduces a hybrid approach to sanctions:
Yellow card: The player concerned is temporarily excluded for two minutes, like the rules of rugby.
Red card: The player is permanently excluded from the match, but his team can replace him after five minutes.
Penalties revisited
-The penalty format is inspired by Major League Soccer of the 1990s. The player starts from the faceoff point, approximately 20 meters from the goal, and has five seconds to score. During this interval, he can dribble past the goalkeeper, but if the ball goes out or if the goalkeeper touches it without it crossing the line, the shot is invalidated.
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Another unique element is the “president’s penalty”. Each team president can decide to take a penalty during the match. If the president renounces, he can designate a player to shoot in his place, but in this case, the shootout format applies.
The strategic role of joker cards
Before each match, the coaches draw a joker card that can be used at any time during the match (until the 38th minute). These cards provide strategic advantages, such as:
Double the value of goals for four minutes.
Force the temporary suspension of an opposing player for four minutes.
Obtain a penalty or a penalty shootout.
Allow a specific player to double the value of their next goal.
Cancel the opposing team’s joker card using a “universal joker” card.
These cards, although limited in time, can completely change the course of a match.
Management of equalities
In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, a penalty shootout session decides between the teams. Each team draws five penalties, and if the tie persists, they continue in “sudden death” until a winner emerges.
A modern and transparent organization
Substitutions are unlimited and can be made at any time from the fifth minute onwards. In addition, the referee has video assistance and comments on his decisions live using a microphone, reinforcing transparency with spectators.
