Arsenal - Messi
Arsenal - Messi
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Youth tournaments that bring together academy sides from different continents often provide a useful test for players who have already featured at higher age groups. A competition that has expanded from eight teams to sixteen in its second year gives English clubs the chance to measure themselves against sides from South America and across Europe. Those fixtures can highlight which teenagers are ready to take the next step in their development.
Arsenal’s under-16s are making their first appearance at the Messi Cup this year. The tournament is taking place in Miami and includes several of the world’s strongest academies, with Chelsea and Manchester City also representing England. The group stage begins on Sunday and all three of the club’s matches will be available to watch on Disney+ in the UK.
The 2026 Messi Cup kicks off on Sunday, with Arsenal’s squad and fixture list for the tournament now confirmed. The first Messi Cup was held in 2025 with eight teams participating, but this year’s edition has increased the number of participants to 16. From England, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are taking part. The other clubs are River Plate, AFC Ajax, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, Palmeiras, Newell’s Old Boys, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Independiente del Valle, Inter Miami, Boca Juniors, Flamengo and UE Cornella.
Arsenal’s group-stage fixtures are as follows: Sunday 25 October against Newell’s Old Boys, Monday 26 October against Barcelona, and Tuesday 27 October against Palmeiras. All three games are listed on the Messi Cup website as taking place at 16:30 EDT (21:30 BST or 20:30 GMT), though the UK television schedule lists them between 20:20 and 21:50. The clocks also change to GMT on Sunday night, so timings should be checked closer to kick-off. All three group games will be broadcast on Disney+ in the UK.
If Arsenal finish first or second in their group they will progress to a top-eight knockout bracket. If they finish third or fourth they will enter a bracket with the bottom-eight teams. Either way, they will play three knockout matches to determine their final position, with eliminated sides facing off against each other to decide their ranking.
The Arsenal under-16 squad named for the tournament is: Albie Shea, Kendrick Van Djoy, Jaden Maghoma, Abdul Zakari, Travis Chilard-Martin, Giovahn Jones, Reiss Tweneboa Kodua, Darius Odeyemi, Max Chuderski, Blake Day King, Jayden Anidi, Fletcher McBryde, Beau Luton, Isaiah Matthews, Kayden Joseph, Leo Aliadiere, Khamil Hall, Jayce Smith, Onye Asiegbu and Frankie Wyatt. Maghoma is one of the more advanced players in the group, having already featured for the under-19s and scoring two goals with two assists in five under-18 appearances this season.
Leo Aliadiere, son of former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere, has previously taken part in England under-15 camps. Travis Chilard-Martin has made debuts for both the England under-16s and the France under-16s this season and is at the centre of a decision over his international future. Other members of the squad will hope to use the tournament to catch the eye and establish themselves as prospects worth monitoring in the years ahead.