The 2026 Generation adidas Cup — one of youth soccer’s biggest international events — will kick off Friday at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The U-15 and U-16 age groups will feature 40 teams each. Most are MLS academy teams from MLS NEXT, but there will also be 18 different teams from Asia, Europe, South America and Mexico, including first-time participants Barcelona (U-15), Boca Juniors (U-16), Wolfsburg (U-16) and Slavia Prague (U-16).

Paul Kennedy edited Soccer America for 41 years (1985-2026). He began writing for SA in 1974. He started writing for France Football in 1978 and has served on in Ballon d'Or jury since 2007.