# Messi Cup 2026 youth football tournament progress

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/messi-cup-youth-football-tournament-expansion
> Updated: 2026-10-26T22:04:18.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 5.

The second edition of the Messi Cup, an international youth football tournament conceived by Lionel Messi and his production company, 525 Rosario, in collaboration with Inter Miami, commenced on October 25, 2026, in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area.

The expanded competition features 16 participating U16 academies from nine countries, including European clubs such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Ajax, Benfica, and UE Cornellá, alongside South American sides like River Plate, Boca Juniors, Newell’s Old Boys, Palmeiras, Flamengo, and Independiente del Valle.

During the early stages of the tournament, Lionel Messi appeared to support the Boca Juniors U-16 squad. During the event, the Inter Miami star was presented with a Boca Juniors jersey featuring his name and the number 10 by club representative Blas Armando Giunta. On the pitch, Boca Juniors has maintained a perfect record, recording a 3-0 victory over Manchester City and a 3-1 win against UE Cornellá, with goals scored by Santino Gómez, Isaias García, and Jaime Azato.

Matches are held at Inter Miami facilities, including Nu Stadium and Chase Stadium. The tournament structure divides teams into four groups; the top two from each group advance to the Gold Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams compete in the Silver Cup. The competition is broadcast live on Disney+ premium, with highlights on ESPN, and is scheduled to conclude with the final on November 1.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Lionel Messi joins Boca Juniors youth team at Messi Cup

Lionel Messi attended the Messi Cup in the US, where he was presented with a Boca Juniors jersey and watched the club's U-16 team secure a 3-1 victory over UE Cornellá.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lionel-messi-joins-boca-juniors-youth-team-at-messi-cup

### 2026-10-23: Messi Cup 2026 kicks off in Miami with 16 youth teams

The second Messi Cup, an international U-16 football tournament, begins in Miami with 16 elite youth clubs competing for Gold and Silver Cup titles.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/messi-cup-2026-kicks-off-in-miami-with-16-youth-teams

### 2026-10-20: Messi Cup 2026 scheduled for Fort Lauderdale

The 2026 Messi Cup will be held in Fort Lauderdale from October 25 to November 1, featuring 16 international U-16 clubs.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/messi-cup-2026-scheduled-for-fort-lauderdale

### 2026-09-28: Messi Cup to feature Palmeiras and Flamengo in youth tournament

Palmeiras and Flamengo will represent Brazil in the second Messi Cup, a youth football tournament featuring 16 elite global academies in Fort Lauderdale, USA, this October.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/messi-cup-to-feature-palmeiras-and-flamengo-in-youth-tournament

### 2026-09-23: Messi Cup to expand to 16 youth academies in Miami

The second Messi Cup youth football tournament will expand to 16 international U16 academies in Miami from October 25 to November 1, 2026.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/messi-cup-expands-to-16-global-youth-teams-in-miami

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Cite as: Messi Cup 2026 youth football tournament progress. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/messi-cup-youth-football-tournament-expansion