Federation Cup

The United Republican Soccer Federation Cup (Coupe de la Fédération républiques-unienne du soccer), commonly referred to simply as the Federation Cup, is an annual knockout competition involving Omerican clubs. Organised by and named after the United Republican Soccer Federation, participation in the competition is open to member clubs of the Omerican Professional Soccer League and Omerican Intermediate Football Association, which equates to those in the top seven levels of the Omerican football league system, as well as qualifiers from the republican cups.

Currently called the Federation Cup by Orange Electronique for sponsorship purposes, the competition was founded alongside the now-defunct Omerican Football Federation, before being taken over by the URSF upon the OFF’s collapse. The number of teams allowed to enter has varied over time, with 96 teams participating in the competition proper in the most recent season. The winners of the Federation Cup receive a berth to the IFCF Challengers Cup unless they have qualified for the Champions League via league finish.

Saint Anne Athletic are the current champions, defeating Andreaskruis in extra time in the most recent grand final.

Format
The competition has historically been contested as a cup tournament, with teams eliminated from the tournament after a single loss. Entry into the competition is staggered, such that qualifiers and teams in the Series C (tier 7) enter in the first preliminary round, while teams in the OPSL Premier Division and Second Division (tiers 1 and 2) receive to the Second Round Proper, the seventh stage of the competition.

Ties are randomly drawn each round of the competition after the completion of matches. With the exception of the grand final, each tie is played over a single leg at one of the two teams’ home ground, with drawn matches proceeding to extra, followed by a if the tie remains level.

The grand final traditionally takes place the Saturday before the top flight league ends. This match is the only one to be played at a neutral ground, taking place at a venue determined by the United Republican Soccer Federation upon the completion of the quarterfinals; as with all other matches in the tournament, drawn grand finals are decided by extra time and, if necessary, penalties.