Participating clubs announced for 2026 ECNL International IberCup

RICHMOND, VA – The ECNL announced the participating clubs for the inaugural 2026 ECNL International IberCup, bringing professional academy and amateur teams from around the world to compete against some of the best teams in the United States in Raleigh, North Carolina over Labor Day Weekend.

The ECNL International IberCup will provide 7v7 mini-game competition at both the U11 and U12 boys age groups. Teams are guaranteed five games over the four-day event, with every team competing for a tournament championship through a combination of group and knockout play. This event will provide unique competitive, developmental, and cultural opportunities for players, teams, coaches, and clubs, in an environment unmatched anywhere in the United States.

“Bringing exceptional clubs from around the world to the 2026 ECNL International IberCup in these age groups will provide a totally new development experience for American players,” said Pre-ECNL Commissioner Bobby Reiss. “Professional clubs known around the world for player development are coming to America, and that excitement has driven more incredible clubs both domestically and internationally to participate in this event. The 2026 ECNL International IberCup will be a unique event to expose young American players to international competition in Raleigh, North Carolina at the fantastic WRAL Soccer Park.”

In February, the ECNL announced the first international clubs participating in the event – Benfica (Portugal), Gremio (Brazil), and Manchester United (England) – and today, the league is thrilled to announce five more top-tier professional international academy clubs: Athletic Bilbao (Spain), Everton (England), FC Porto (Portugal), Palmeiras (Brazil) and Sevilla FC (Spain). With these additions, and including the amateur youth international clubs, teams from 13 countries will be participating in the 2026 ECNL International IberCup: Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, South Africa and Sweden.

In addition to these international clubs, the ECNL will host over 140 domestic teams in the 2026 ECNL International IberCup, featuring top clubs from across the ECNL and American soccer. These clubs have combined for four ECNL Boys Overall Club Championships, 25 ECNL Boys National Championships and numerous other state and national domestic championships, highlighting the quality of competition at the event.

A full list of participating clubs is below.

A very limited number of spots are still available to participate in the 2026 ECNL International IberCup, but registration is closing soon. If interested in competing in the event, click here.