The Messi Cup Is Back: 16 of the World’s Top Academies Set for South Florida

The second edition of the youth tournament created around Lionel Messi’s vision for elite player development was officially announced Tuesday, with the competition expanding from eight teams in its inaugural edition to 16 U-16 academies from around the world.

The 2026 MESSI CUP will take place from October 25 through November 1 in South Florida, with Inter Miami CF hosting the tournament at its facilities in Fort Lauderdale. The final is set to be played at Inter Miami’s stadium, while the rest of the competition will be held at the club’s training complex. 

The field brings together an impressive collection of youth programs. Inter Miami will be joined by FC Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Ajax, Atlético de Madrid, Inter Milan, Benfica, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Newell’s Old Boys, UE Cornellà and Independiente del Valle.

That means the tournament will feature academies from nine countries and three different continents, creating a rare setting for U-16 players to face opposition from some of the biggest development systems in world football. 

For Inter Miami, the tournament represents another step in the development of an event that debuted in December 2025. The inaugural edition featured eight clubs divided into two groups, with Inter Miami, Newell’s Old Boys, Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea in Group A, while Barcelona, Manchester City, River Plate and Inter Milan made up Group B. 

River Plate ultimately lifted the first MESSI CUP title, defeating Atlético de Madrid in the final.

The Ecuadorian academy is one of the most notable additions. Independiente del Valle has developed a reputation for producing high-level young talent in South America and will now get the chance to test its U-16 group against some of Europe’s most prominent academies. 

Messi himself remains closely connected to the project. The Argentine star, who helped launch the tournament through 525 Rosario, emphasized the developmental experience the competition is designed to provide when announcing the second edition.

“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. “We’re very happy to see the tournament continue to grow and to be able to bring together players from so many great clubs around the world.” 

That philosophy was already evident in the first edition. Beyond the matches, the MESSI CUP was designed as a broader youth-football experience combining competition, culture and opportunities for young players to experience an international environment. 

Sixteen academies will descend on South Florida with some of the most promising players from the 2010 age group, creating a tournament where future professionals can compete against peers from completely different footballing environments.

And with Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Ajax, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Flamengo, Palmeiras and the other invited academies all involved, the second edition of the MESSI CUP could become one of the most intriguing international youth showcases of the fall.

The first edition introduced the concept.

The second is set to make it global.