In June, Paris hosted the second edition of the Kings World Cup Clubs, a 7-a-side football tournament based on the Kings League format.
The Kings League was founded in 2022 by former Spain international Gerard Pique, who helped create what he describes as a `complementary` take on traditional football, prioritizing entertainment above all else. Regardless of the competition, the Kings League is renowned for its unconventional rules – and there are plenty. Matches are 40 minutes long with no ties allowed, and rules like unlimited substitutions and the dice roll at the 18th minute can lead to real chaos.
The Kings League is also known for attracting star power into leadership roles. Pique serves as president of Kings League Spain, while other football icons hold similar positions – the list of presidents features Kaka, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Neymar and Lamine Yamal, for example, own teams competing in this edition of the Kings World Cup Clubs.
The Kings World Cup Clubs tournament takes place from June 1 to June 14, with all matches available for streaming on CBS Sports Golazo Network and YouTube.
Here`s what you need to know before watching.
Participating Teams
🇺🇸 Kings League Americas
- Olimpo United: Headed by Chicharito (ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United player).
- Persas FC: Presidents include Zeein and Nicola Porcella.
- Los Chamos FC: One of the favorites for the title, led by star duo Juan Cisneros and Genaro Castillo.
- Galácticos del Caribe: Presided by Futbolitos and Alofoke. Star player: Kevin Cardona.
🇧🇷 Kings League Brazil
- Furia FC: Neymar and Cris Guedes among owners. Star players: Leleti and Matheus Dedo.
- Fluxo FC: Owned by Cerol and Nobru. The team includes Zé Roberto, ex-Brazil midfielder.
- Dendele FC: Presidents: Paulinho o Loko and LuquEt4.
- Desimpedidos Goti: Toguro and Yuri22 are the presidents. João Pedro, a World Cup Nations champ, is the star player to watch.
🇫🇷 Kings League France
- F2R: Led by Amine and supported by Samir Nasri and Jérémy Ménez.
- Unit3D: Among the favorites, this team is run by Squeezie, Djilsi and Maxime.
- Panam All Starz: French champs, backed by Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jules Koundé and Mike Maignan.
- Karasu: Owned by Kameto and coached by Sabry Bezahaf. Top performer: Matisse Henry.
🇩🇪 Kings League Germany
- Futbolistas Locos FC: Presidents include Chefstrobel, Kubaboiii and Kenan Yıldız (Juventus).
- Era Colonia: Features ex-Bundesliga players Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Moritz Leitner.
- G2 Football Club: Owned by Reeze and Rumathra and supported by German streamer Papaplatte.
🇪🇸 Kings League Spain
- Porcinos FC: The reigning 2024 World Cup champions are chaired by Ibai Llanos and Guanyar.
- Jijantes FC: One of the most popular teams in the Kings League universe, formed by sports journalist Gerard Romero.
- Los Troncos FC: Captained by ex-Espanyol legend Joan Verdú.
- Ultimate Móstoles: Winners of Kings League Spain, presided by DjMaRiiO.
- xBuyer Team: Snuck into the tourney on last-minute drama. Formed by the Buyer Brothers.
🇮🇹 Kings League Italy
- TRM FC: Italian champs, owned by TheRealMarzaa. Top performers: Alessandro Colombo and Francesco Caputo.
- Gear 7 FC: President: Manuuxo. Lost star Fran Hernández to injury pre-tournament.
- FC Zeta: Led by ZW Jackson and Luca Toni. MVP from first split: Matteo Perrotti (25 goals).
- Boomers: President: Fedez. Qualified via a dramatic double penalty goal from Simone Lo Faso.
🌍 Wild Card teams
- Kunisports: Kun Agüero`s squad returns as a fan favorite.
- La Capital CF: Team associated with Lamine Yamal makes its first KWCC appearance.
- Miami 7: Presidents include Jake Paul and Adin Ross, bringing American flair.
- Ultra Chmicha: Led by Ilyas El Maliki, big streamer from Morocco.
- Murash FC: Owned by Japanese streamer Junichi Kato.
- Jynxzi FC: Jynxzi, a massive U.S. Twitch creator, presides over the team.
- SXB FC: Run by Saudi creator SHoNgxBоNg.
- Zaytouna FC: Owned by global music star Gims.
Rules, President Penalties, and Secret Cards:
- ⏳ Game Duration: Matches are 40 minutes long, consisting of two 20-minute halves with stoppage time added at the end of each.
- 🔹 Ball Drop: Players wait on the goal lines as the ball is released from a cage above midfield, then race towards it, similar to water polo.
- 🔹 First Five Minutes: Starts as one vs. one (one outfield player + goalkeeper per team). Each minute, an additional player from each team is introduced until it`s seven vs. seven.
- 🔹 After Minute Five: Substitutions are freely permitted.
- 🔹 Minute 18 — 🎲 Dice Roll: A dice is rolled from the stands, determining the number of players for each team during the final two minutes of the first half: One vs. one, two vs. two, or three vs. three.
- 🔹 Second Half: Begins as seven vs. seven (the ball is dropped from the cage again).
- 🔹 Minutes 38-40: If the score is tied, the “Double Goal” rule applies, meaning all goals count as two. If the score remains tied, it moves to “Golden Goal,” where the first team to score wins instantly. If the match is tied after regulation and golden goal, it proceeds to a shootout.
⚽ President Penalties: Presidents can take a penalty kick between the 5th and 18th minutes in the first half and between the 20th and 38th minutes in the second half. If a team does not use their president penalty before the 38th minute, it will be automatically triggered before the double goal or golden goal phase. A substitute player can take the penalty if the president is not present.
🃏 Secret Cards: Each coach randomly selects one secret card before the match. This card can only be used in the second half before the 38th minute. The cards are hidden from the opponent until played and can significantly impact the match outcome.
- Double Goal: For four minutes, any goal scored counts as two.
- Suspension: The opponent loses one selected player (excluding the goalkeeper) for 4 minutes.
- Star Player: The coach selects a player. That player`s first goal counts as two. They wear a special armband for identification.
- Shootout: One player has 5 seconds to score from midfield in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. If the goalkeeper touches the ball, it counts as a miss.
- Joker: Allows using any other secret card or stealing the opponent`s card.
- Penalty: The team is awarded a standard penalty kick.
How to Watch: Kings World Cup Clubs, First Round
All times U.S./Eastern – matches are streamed on CBS Sports Golazo Network and YouTube.
Sunday, June 1
F2R 5, Murash 3
Desimpedidos Goti 5, Zaytouna 3
FC Zeta 5, Olimpo United 2
Ultra Chmicha 4, Panam All Starz 5
Galácticos del Caribe 5, ERA Colonia 4
G2 Football Club 1, Ultimate Móstoles 3
Furia FC 8, Kunisports 4
Porcinos FC 5, Miami 7 4
Monday, June 2
Fluxo FC 6, Futbolistas Locos FC 3
Boomers 4, Unit3d 9
SXB FC 4, Jijantes 5
Persas FC 2, La Capital CF 1
Tuesday, June 3
Los Troncos FC vs. TRM FC, 1 p.m.
Gear 7 FC vs. KARASU, 2 p.m.
xBuyer Team vs. Los Chamos FC, 3 p.m.
Dendele FC vs. Jynxzi FC, 4 p.m.