Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina acknowledges the fans before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas ...
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina acknowledges the fans before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s u16s are set to take part in the Messi Cup for the first time, having been named among 16 participants in this year’s tournament.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF warms up before the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final match between Inter Miami CF and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF warms up before the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final match between Inter Miami CF and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chase Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Inter Miami CF have confirmed that they’re set to host the second edition of the Messi Cup, a youth tournament named after the club’s most famous player.
The first Messi Cup was held in 2025, with eight teams participating, but this year’s edition will increase the number of participants to 16.
Inter Miami have confirmed all 16 teams set to feature, including Arsenal. The Gunners didn’t participate in 2025, but they’re set to join fellow English clubs Manchester City and Chelsea at the tournament on this occasion.
Luis Munoz celebrates his goal for the Arsenal u19s (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
The full match schedule for the u16 tournament will be confirmed in due course, but it’s set to take place between October 25th and November 1st.
The games are set for broadcast on ESPN and Disney+, though availability will reportedly vary by territory. For those lucky enough to be in the right region, it will be a rare chance to check out Arsenal’s next generation of players.
Argentine club River Plate were appropriately crowned the first winners of the tournament in 2025, defeating Chelsea in the semi-finals before beating Atletico Madrid in the final.
Manchester City finished third, condemning Chelsea to another defeat in the third-place play-off.
All four of last year’s semi-finalists are set to return, with the full list of attendees below.
Messi Cup 2026 teams
Jaden Maghoma playing for the Arsenal u19s (Photo via Maghoma on Instagram)
Photo via Maghoma on Instagram
Inter Miami CF
Ajax
Inter Milan
Atletico Madrid
Benfica
FC Barcelona
Palmeiras
Arsenal
Newell’s Old Boys
Flamengo
UE Cornella
Manchester City
Boca Juniors
River Plate
Independiente del Valle
Chelsea
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)