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Lionel Messi’s MESSI CUP 2026 will feature 16 elite youth academies from nine countries in Miami between October 25 and November 1.
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Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid are among the major European clubs selected for the Under-16 tournament.
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Defending champions River Plate will return, while Boca Juniors will make their debut in the expanded competition.
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The tournament has doubled in size from eight teams in 2025, highlighting its growing international appeal.
September 23, (THEWILL) – MIAMI, United States Lionel Messi’s MESSI CUP is set to return for its second edition, with some of the world’s most recognised football academies selected to compete in an expanded Under-16 tournament in Miami.
The competition, scheduled to run from October 25 to November 1, 2026, will bring together 16 teams from nine countries, doubling the number of participants from the inaugural edition. The tournament is designed to provide young players with international experience while giving clubs an opportunity to assess emerging talent.
The 16 teams included in the Messi Cup
Among the biggest names confirmed for the competition are FC Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Ajax and Benfica. The inclusion of these academies adds significant prestige to a tournament focused on the next generation of footballers.
South American football will also be strongly represented, with Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Palmeiras joining Argentine sides River Plate, Boca Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys. Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle, Inter Miami and Spanish club UE Cornellà complete the list of participating teams.
River Plate will enter the tournament as the defending champion after winning the inaugural edition in 2025. The Argentine club will be aiming to retain its title against a significantly larger field, while Boca Juniors will participate in the competition for the first time.
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The expansion also provides a fresh opportunity for clubs to showcase their youth-development systems. With teams from Europe, North America and South America involved, the competition is expected to create a platform for young talents to experience different football cultures and playing styles.
Messi, who captains Inter Miami, welcomed the growth of the tournament and emphasised its developmental purpose.
“The Messi Cup was created so that the boys can enjoy a unique experience, both on and off the pitch, at a very important stage in their development,” Messi said in a statement released by Inter Miami.
The tournament will be hosted at Inter Miami’s facilities, including the club’s stadium and Florida Blue Training Centre in Fort Lauderdale. The full match schedule for Inter Miami’s Under-16 side will be announced later.
With the competition now featuring 16 clubs, the 2026 edition represents a major expansion of Messi’s youth football project and brings together several academies known for producing future stars.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
