THE VCF ACADEMY WORLD CUP KICKS OFF  

The fourth edition of the VCF Academy World Cup is officially underway. This Thursday, June 26th, the opening ceremony brought together more than 200 players from the 14 teams representing the VCF Academy Programs across America, Asia and Europe who are competing in this U12 tournament.

The Antonio Puchades pitch, the main field at the Ciudad Deportiva, hosted the parade of each team and their players, cheered on from the stands by family and friends in a festive and unforgettable atmosphere.

The flags of each participating country — Canada, USA, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Hungary and Spain — added a splash of colour to a parade in which every team posed for their official photo on the pitch at Antonio Puchades.

Each team was accompanied by Valencia CF ambassadors Miguel Ángel Bossio and Miguel Tendillo, former players and Club legends from the 70s, 80s and 90s, who encouraged all players and guests to enjoy the tournament and feel at home in Valencia, as part of the big Valencianista family that makes up the VCF Academy Programs. As Borja Eroles, Coordinator of Academy Operations, highlighted, “You carry the name of Valencia CF around the world.”

The ceremony also featured a special message from Diego López, Valencia CF player and official ambassador of this 2025 edition. After his recent participation with Spain in the UEFA U21 EURO, Diego encouraged all young players from America, Asia and Europe to enjoy this unique and exciting experience.

To wrap up the event, Valencia CF's main sponsor TM Grupo Inmobiliario held a prize draw among those attending at the Antonio Puchades, giving away a 3-day stay in one of its residential complexes and a Valencia CF official 2024/25 shirt, which was won by Dietert Vanhautte from VCF Camps Belgium.

After the parade and many photos on the pitch, everyone shared one of the most iconic dishes of Valencian cuisine: paella, offering players and families a perfect moment of togetherness before the competition officially begins on Friday.

Following lunch, the participants visited Mestalla, the most historic stadium in LaLiga, which celebrates its 102nd anniversary in 2025, and stopped by the Official Valencia CF Store to get a first look at the brand-new 2025/26 technical collection.

From Friday to Sunday, the Ciudad Deportiva will host dozens of exciting matches in Fútbol 8 format, as all 14 teams aim to reach the various finals across the Sentiment (feeling), Valentia (brave) and Germanor (brotherhood) categories — three core values that define the VCF Academy philosophy.

The VCF Academy World Cup is part of the VCF Academy Programs, which include Valencia CF Academies across America, Asia and Europe, the VCF Camps held worldwide, Training Experiences at the Ciudad Deportiva, and other initiatives that strengthen the Club’s global presence.

Every season, more than 5,000 children from over 50 countries take part in activities under the VCF Academy Programs umbrella.

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