News DeskDubai, UAE – Dubai will welcome some of the world’s most prestigious football academies as the ninth edition of the Dubai Intercontinental Cup for Under-13 Football kicks off on Thursday, reinforcing the emirate’s growing role as a global hub for elite youth development.
Held with the support of the Dubai Sports Council, the four-day tournament will run from February 12 to 15 and feature a record 32 international and domestic teams divided into eight groups. European powerhouses Real Madrid and Bayern Munich headline the competition, alongside globally renowned clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, Ajax and Brazil’s Flamengo, competing against leading Emirati sides.
Details of the tournament, described by organizers as a “mini World Cup,” were unveiled during a press conference at Emirates Towers. Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, attended alongside former Spanish international Michel Salgado and Real Madrid Sporting Director Santiago Solari. The event was also held in the presence of Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, as well as football academy directors and technical coaches from government and private institutions.
Belhoul emphasized that the tournament aligns with Dubai’s broader sports strategy launched last November, aimed at long-term investment in youth development. He described the event as a key platform for identifying and nurturing emerging talent while offering young Emirati players the opportunity to compete against world-class academies.
“We are working in line with the directives of our leadership to invest in young people,” Belhoul said, noting that competitive exposure is essential for assessing and enhancing player development. He added that placing young athletes in authentic competitive environments provides the most accurate measure of progress.
The Dubai Sports Council has increasingly focused on structured youth pathways as part of its efforts to strengthen grassroots football and promote a sustainable sports culture across the United Arab Emirates.
Salgado praised the council’s support, describing the tournament as a globally recognized platform that provides young players with valuable life experiences beyond football, including discipline and cultural exchange. Solari highlighted the importance of early tactical education, calling the competition a fundamental pillar of long-term player development.
Following the press conference, a specialized workshop addressed talent recruitment, selection criteria and sustainable development pathways, reflecting the tournament’s broader focus on structured scouting and training frameworks.
The expanded 2026 format features 32 teams competing across eight groups. Ajax headline Group A alongside Al Nasr, CSKA Sofia and Dribbles SC, while Bayern Munich lead Group D, joined by Riga FC, Elite SS and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai. Real Madrid top Group F, facing Rodina Moscow, Al Wahda and Dubai Football Talents Center, a specialized initiative launched by the Dubai Sports Council to develop elite youth players across the emirate.
Other prominent clubs participating include Chelsea, AC Milan and Racing Club of Argentina, further strengthening the tournament’s international profile.
Opening day matches begin at 9 a.m., featuring Al Nasr against Ajax, Al Wasl facing Chelsea and Ajman taking on Levante. At 10 a.m., Real Madrid will open their campaign against Al Wahda, while Shabab Al Ahli meet Bayern Munich and Sharjah face AC Milan. Additional fixtures later in the morning include Barcelona versus Fursan Hispania, Arsenal against Universitatea Craiova and Flamengo facing Zad Academy.
Organizers reported strong global interest in the tournament, with average viewership reaching approximately 250,000 per match and total television audiences surpassing three million. Digital platforms have recorded more than 41.7 million visits, reflecting rising international attention toward youth football events hosted in the Gulf.
As Dubai continues to invest in sports infrastructure and talent development, the Under-13 Intercontinental Cup has emerged as a significant fixture on the international youth football calendar, combining elite competition with the emirate’s long-term vision of developing the next generation of football talent.
