The 2009 Mediterranean Games football tournament was the 16th edition of the Mediterranean Games men's football tournament. The football tournament was held in Pescara, Italy between 25 June and 5 July 2009 as part of the 2009 Mediterranean Games and was contested by 12 teams, all countries were represented by the U-20 teams. Spain won the gold medal.[1]
The 12 teams were divided into four groups of three teams. Teams were awarded three points for a win and one for a draw. No points were awarded for a defeat. The top side in each group would advance to the semi-finals. If two or more teams were tied for a particular position, then the tie-breaking system would be as follows:[1]
Each team's eighteen-man squad had to consist of players born after January 1, 1989. The squads must have been submitted no later than June 11, 2009. Each member of the winning team was awarded a gold medal. The runners-up all received a silver medal, and the third-placed team all received a bronze medal. Each member of each side placed 4th-8th in the competition received a diploma.[1]
6 stadia were allocated to host the matches[1]
The draw for the groups was made on May 8, 2009, and was conducted by Eusebio Di Francesco[2]
Morocco withdrew from the competition so Libya and Montenegro ensured qualification to the next round. Their matches only determined group ranking.