OFFICIAL: Messi Cup Doubles in Size for Second Miami Edition

Lionel Messi is expanding his footprint in youth football. The Argentine has confirmed that the Messi Cup, his own international U-16 tournament, is returning to Miami for a second edition from October 25 to November 1, 2026 — and this time, it's twice the size.

From 8 Clubs to 16

The inaugural Messi Cup ran for six days in December 2025 with eight clubs. For 2026, the tournament doubles to 16 participating academies, drawn from nine countries across three continents. It's a significant step up for a competition still in only its second year, and one that puts it firmly on course to become one of the most prestigious youth tournaments in the world.

• Inter Miami CF
• FC Barcelona
• Manchester City
• Chelsea
• Arsenal
• Atlético de Madrid
• Inter Milan
• Benfica
• Ajax
• River Plate
• Boca Juniors
• Palmeiras
• Flamengo
• Newell's Old Boys
• Independiente del Valle
• UE Cornellà

Where It's Being Played

Inter Miami CF Stadium will serve as the tournament's main venue, with additional matches taking place at the Florida Blue Training Center in Fort Lauderdale. It's a fitting home given Messi's own ties to the club, and gives the young players a taste of competing in a stadium built for the professional game.

Messi's Message to the Players

Messi, who created the tournament through his production company 525 Rosario, explained the thinking behind it in a statement.

"The Messi Cup was created so that the boys can enjoy a unique experience... at a very important stage in their development."

He added that seeing the competition grow and bring together players from so many major clubs was something that made him genuinely happy, describing it as a chance for the next generation to compete, share the experience, and simply enjoy the game.

How the First Edition Went

The debut Messi Cup was played in Miami in December 2025 with eight clubs split into groups, producing 18 matches over the tournament. River Plate were crowned champions, beating Atlético Madrid in the final, with Chelsea and Manchester City reaching the semifinals. River Plate's Bruno Cabral finished as top scorer and was named the tournament's best player.

Where to Watch

With the field now including some of European and South American football's biggest academy names — Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Ajax, River Plate and Boca Juniors among them — the second edition is shaping up to be a genuine showcase of the sport's next generation. Coverage is set to be available across Disney+, ESPN+ and ESPN television channels, giving fans worldwide a chance to watch the tournament unfold.