The Messi Cup 2026 is bringing some of the world’s biggest football clubs together for an international youth tournament in Miami, Florida. Founded by Lionel Messi and his production company, 525 Rosario, the competition has expanded significantly for its second edition, with 16 academy teams preparing to compete across a week of matches.
Running from October 25 to November 1, the tournament features youth sides from clubs including Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Inter Miami and River Plate. The expanded competition will give young players an opportunity to compete internationally while experiencing football and cultural activities alongside teams from different countries.
For supporters in the United Kingdom, the tournament will be available to watch on Disney+. Here is everything you need to know about the Messi Cup 2026, including the participating clubs, competition format, UK broadcasting information and full schedule.
What Is the Messi Cup 2026?
The Messi Cup is an international Youth Football tournament founded by Lionel Messi and his production company, 525 Rosario. The inaugural edition took place in Miami last December, bringing together academy teams from some of the biggest clubs in world football.
The competition was created to provide a global platform for talented young footballers to test themselves against international opposition. It also aims to offer opportunities for cultural exchange and experiences beyond the football matches.
According to the tournament’s official description, it is a global youth football platform created in partnership with Messi, bringing together leading under-16 teams and players for a week of competition, cultural exchange and immersive experiences.
The second edition represents a major expansion. While eight clubs participated in the inaugural tournament, the 2026 competition features 16 teams and a total of 48 matches. The larger field means more clubs, more international matchups and additional opportunities for young players to demonstrate their abilities.
All 16 teams will initially be divided into four groups of four. Following the group stage, every team will progress to the knockout rounds, with the competition divided into two separate playoff sections: Copa Oro and Copa Plata.
How Does the Messi Cup 2026 Format Work?
The Messi Cup 2026 features a group-stage format followed by separate knockout competitions for the teams finishing in different positions. The structure ensures that every participating club continues competing after the initial group matches.
The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the Copa Oro Division. These eight teams will compete in the higher playoff bracket, beginning with the quarterfinals.
The winners of the Copa Oro quarterfinals will advance to the semifinals. The remaining matches will determine the finalists and the teams competing for third place. Teams eliminated in the quarterfinals will also continue playing, with fifth-place and seventh-place matches scheduled to determine their final positions.
The third- and fourth-placed teams from each group will enter the Copa Plata Division. This creates a second knockout bracket for the remaining eight teams.
The Copa Plata quarterfinal winners will advance to matches that determine ninth and eleventh place. The teams that lose their quarterfinals will continue competing in matches for 13th and 15th place.
This format gives all 16 clubs a chance to play beyond the group stage and ensures that the tournament determines final positions throughout the competition rather than eliminating teams after only three matches.
Which Clubs Are Taking Part in the Messi Cup 2026?
The second edition features 16 clubs from different footballing regions, doubling the number of participants compared with the inaugural tournament. Eight teams that competed in the previous edition are returning, while another eight clubs have joined the expanded lineup.
The returning participants include Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, along with several major European and South American clubs. The additional teams bring further international variety to the competition.
Returning Clubs
- Inter Miami
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Manchester City
- River Plate
- Inter Milan
- Newell’s Old Boys
- Atlético Madrid
New Clubs Joining in 2026
- Arsenal
- Ajax
- Benfica
- Palmeiras
- Boca Juniors
- Independiente del Valle
- Flamengo
- UE Cornellà
The lineup brings together prominent football academies from Europe and South America, creating opportunities for young players to face different playing styles and levels of competition.
Inter Miami will be particularly interesting to follow because of its connection to Messi, who founded the tournament. Meanwhile, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Atlético Madrid represent some of Europe’s most recognised football development systems.
South American clubs such as River Plate, Boca Juniors, Palmeiras and Flamengo will also add a different dimension to the competition, making the tournament an international showcase of youth football talent.
How to Watch the Messi Cup 2026 in the UK
Football fans in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe will be able to watch the Messi Cup 2026 on Disney+. The streaming platform is the designated viewing destination for audiences who want to follow the youth tournament.
Supporters can use Disney+ to follow the competition during its scheduled dates, from October 25 through November 1. The tournament includes group-stage fixtures, quarterfinals, placement matches, semifinals and finals.
With 16 clubs involved, the competition offers several interesting matchups throughout the week. Fans following the academies of Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and other participating teams will have an opportunity to watch young players compete against international opposition.
Viewers should check Disney+ for the latest programme information and match availability in their region.
Messi Cup 2026 Full Match Schedule
The tournament begins on Sunday, October 25, with the opening group-stage fixtures. The group stage continues through Tuesday, October 27, before the competition moves into the knockout rounds.
Sunday, October 25 – Opening Matches
- Group C: Independiente del Valle vs. Inter Miami CF
- Group A: Ajax vs. Inter Milan
- Group B: Barcelona vs. Palmeiras
- Group C: Atlético Madrid vs. Benfica
- Group B: Arsenal vs. Newell’s Old Boys
- Group D: Manchester City vs. Boca Juniors
- Group D: Flamengo vs. UE Cornellà
- Group A: River Plate vs. Chelsea FC
The opening day features several attractive fixtures, including Barcelona against Palmeiras, Arsenal against Newell’s Old Boys and Manchester City against Boca Juniors. Inter Miami will also begin its campaign against Independiente del Valle.
Monday, October 26 – Group Stage
- Group A: River Plate vs. Ajax
- Group D: Manchester City vs. Flamengo
- Group D: Boca Juniors vs. UE Cornellà
- Group A: Chelsea FC vs. Inter Milan
- Group C: Atlético Madrid vs. Independiente del Valle
- Group C: Benfica vs. Inter Miami
- Group B: Barcelona vs. Arsenal
- Group B: Palmeiras vs. Newell’s Old Boys
Monday’s programme includes a meeting between Barcelona and Arsenal, two clubs with established youth development systems. Chelsea will face Inter Milan, while Inter Miami will take on Benfica in another Group C contest.
Tuesday, October 27 – Final Group Matches
- Group D: Boca Juniors vs. Flamengo
- Group B: Barcelona vs. Newell’s Old Boys
- Group C: Atlético Madrid vs. Inter Miami
- Group C: Benfica vs. Independiente del Valle
- Group A: River Plate vs. Inter Milan
- Group A: Chelsea vs. Ajax
- Group B: Palmeiras vs. Arsenal
- Group D: Manchester City vs. UE Cornellà
Tuesday marks the final day of group-stage action. The results will determine which teams qualify for the Copa Oro and Copa Plata divisions and establish the knockout-round matchups.
Wednesday, October 28 – Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals of both the Copa Oro and Copa Plata divisions will take place on Wednesday. The eight teams in each division will compete for places in their respective semifinals and placement matches.
Thursday, October 29 – Rest Day
Thursday is scheduled as a rest day, with no tournament matches listed.
Friday, October 30 – Placement Matches
Friday’s programme will feature the fifth- to eighth-place matches in the Copa Oro Division. The Copa Plata Division will also stage its 13th- to 16th-place matches.
Saturday, October 31 – Semifinals
The semifinals of both divisions are scheduled for Saturday. The results will determine which teams advance to the finals and which sides compete in the remaining placement matches.
Sunday, November 1 – Finals and Closing Ceremony
The final day of the Messi Cup 2026 will take place on Sunday, November 1. Both the Copa Oro and Copa Plata finals are scheduled, bringing the expanded youth tournament to its conclusion.
A closing ceremony and awards presentation will also take place on the final day, celebrating the participating teams and players after a week of international competition.
Why Is the Messi Cup 2026 Important for Young Footballers?
The Messi Cup provides a competitive platform for academy players to test their abilities against teams from different footballing backgrounds. With 16 clubs participating, the second edition offers a broader international environment than the inaugural tournament.
Young players from European and South American academies will have the opportunity to experience different styles of football, compete under tournament pressure and represent their clubs on an international stage.
The competition also reflects Messi’s involvement in youth football development. By establishing the tournament through 525 Rosario, the Inter Miami star has helped create an event that brings together major football academies and provides young players with experiences beyond their regular domestic competitions.
The expanded format is another important development. Increasing the number of participating clubs from eight to 16 creates more fixtures and gives additional academies the chance to be involved. The two-division playoff structure also ensures that every team has a competitive objective after the group stage.
Messi Cup 2026: Key Details at a Glance
- Tournament: Messi Cup 2026
- Founder: Lionel Messi
- Organiser: 525 Rosario
- Location: Miami, Florida
- Dates: October 25 to November 1, 2026
- Participating clubs: 16
- Total matches: 48
- Competition format: Four groups followed by Copa Oro and Copa Plata knockout divisions
- UK broadcaster: Disney+
What to Expect From the Messi Cup 2026
The second edition of the Messi Cup promises a bigger international youth football competition, featuring 16 academy teams and 48 matches across eight days. With leading clubs from Europe and South America involved, the tournament will provide a valuable platform for emerging players to showcase their abilities.
For UK viewers, Disney+ offers a way to follow the competition throughout its schedule. From the opening group fixtures on October 25 to the finals and awards ceremony on November 1, the tournament will feature a full week of youth football action.
With Lionel Messi behind the project and several globally recognised clubs participating, the Messi Cup 2026 will be an opportunity to watch the next generation of football talent compete on an international stage.
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