LALIGA FC FUTURES Returns to Orlando With a New Generation of Stars

Orlando will once again become a meeting point for some of the biggest youth academies in the world when the LALIGA FC FUTURES International Tournament returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports from October 2-4, 2026.

The tournament will feature players born in 2014, bringing together some of the most promising young talents from major clubs in Spain, South America and the United States. A total of 14 clubs are set to participate, giving the event another strong international field at one of the most important youth-soccer showcases in the country.

The Spanish contingent includes Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Sevilla, Real Betis, Villarreal, Getafe and Elche, while the international field features Boca Juniors, River Plate, Flamengo, Palmeiras, Orlando City and Inter Miami.

Atlético de Madrid will enter as the defending champion after defeating Palmeiras 3-1 in last year’s final. The Madrid club has also enjoyed significant success in the Orlando edition, making this year’s tournament another opportunity to see how its next generation compares with some of the strongest academies from around the world.

The presence of Boca Juniors, River Plate, Flamengo and Palmeiras adds another layer of interest to the competition, with several of South America’s most renowned youth programs bringing their 2014-born players to Orlando. Meanwhile, Orlando City and Inter Miami will represent the local MLS presence against an international group of established academies.

LALIGA FC FUTURES has long served as a platform for identifying young players who can eventually reach the highest levels of the sport. Previous editions of the tournament have featured players who later became stars, including Xavi, Iker Casillas, Andrés Iniesta, Fernando Torres, Gerard Piqué, Gavi and Lamine Yamal.

For the 2014-born players taking part this year, the Orlando tournament represents an early chance to compete against elite opposition from different soccer cultures — and potentially provide a first glimpse at some of the names who could emerge over the next decade.

Now, with 14 academies from four countries preparing to meet in Orlando, another generation will have its opportunity to make an impression.

For three days, the focus will be on the U-13 players trying to make their mark — and on which academy can leave Florida with the LALIGA FC FUTURES trophy.