IBERCUP AND ECNL LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN THE USA IN 2026

IberCup and ECNL have announced a strategic partnership to create a new international youth football tournament in the United States, with its first edition scheduled for September this year. The event, titled IBERCUP x ECNL International, will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina, over the Labor Day weekend.

The competition is expected to bring together more than 200 boys’ teams in the U11 and U12 age groups from Europe, South America, Africa, Asia and the United States, in an initiative designed to strengthen both competitive and cultural exchange among young athletes from different football backgrounds.

Running over four days, the tournament will be played in a 7v7 format and will guarantee each team a minimum of six matches. The competition structure will include a group stage followed by knockout rounds, ensuring all teams have the opportunity to compete for the title.

The creation of this event represents an important step in IberCup’s international expansion. Since 2010, one of the world’s most recognized youth football competitions has welcomed thousands of teams from more than 120 countries. Bringing the tournament to the United States has long been a key objective for the organization, which is now looking to strengthen its presence in the North American market.

For ECNL, widely regarded as one of the leading youth football development platforms in the USA, the partnership reinforces its commitment to delivering high-level competitive experiences for young players, bringing American academies closer to top international clubs.

More details regarding participating teams, groups and the official schedule will be announced at a later stage.