Arsenal to participate in 2nd edition of Messi Cup

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.

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.

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

1. Inter Miami CF
2. Ajax
3. Inter Milan
4. Atletico Madrid
5. Benfica
6. FC Barcelona
7. Palmeiras
8. Arsenal
9. Newell’s Old Boys
10. Flamengo
11. UE Cornella
12. Manchester City
13. Boca Juniors
14. River Plate
15. Independiente del Valle
16. Chelsea

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