PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — The Jorge Rolando Bauger Football School will once again represent the Dominican Republic at MICFootball Punta Cana, one of the Caribbean’s premier international youth football tournaments, scheduled to take place from June 25 to 29 at The Fields, Cap Cana Sports City.
The 2026 edition marks the academy’s second consecutive appearance in the tournament after its under-14 squad reached the Round of 16 during last year’s competition, further establishing the club as one of the country’s leading youth football programs.
This year, Bauger will compete in three age categories—Under-12, Under-13, and Under-15—bringing a delegation of more than 45 players and four members of the coaching staff to the international event.
Three Teams to Face International Competition
The Under-12 squad, coached by José Alejandro Osorio, enters the tournament after capturing the National District Association championship. The team has been drawn into a competitive group alongside Punta Cana FC, PSG Academy USA, and Puerto Rico’s Proyecto JDB.
In the Under-13 division, head coach Miguel Salazar will lead his squad against LA Galaxy Academy of Major League Soccer (MLS), El Salvador 503, and Puerto Rico’s Califa CF.
Meanwhile, the Under-15 team will be coached by Diego Losada, who also plays professionally for Delfines del Este in the Dominican Football League (LDF). The team will face Cibao FC, Albion National Elite of the United States, and Peru’s Club Carlos A. Mannucci during the group stage.
Focus on Player Development
Jorge Allen Bauger Saiz, the academy’s sporting director and head of the delegation, said the teams have completed an extensive preparation process ahead of the international tournament.
“Our players have trained with great dedication to compete at the highest level in one of the region’s most important youth football events,” Bauger said. “Participating in tournaments like MICFootball allows our athletes to gain valuable international experience while representing Dominican football.”
AFP Crecer Supports Youth Football
The academy also acknowledged the support of AFP Crecer, which continues to invest in youth sports development in the Dominican Republic.
Ahead of the tournament, AFP Crecer executives Kismet Madera, Commercial Director, and Alexandra Pérez, Marketing Executive, officially presented the uniforms and sports equipment that Bauger’s three teams will use throughout the competition.
Representatives of the company reaffirmed their commitment to promoting youth development through sports, emphasizing that football provides valuable opportunities for discipline, teamwork, and personal growth among young athletes.
International Tournament Continues to Grow
MICFootball Punta Cana 2026 is expected to welcome more than 2,000 players representing 113 teams from 18 countries. Nearly 200 matches will be played during the five-day tournament, featuring youth academies from some of the world’s most recognized professional clubs alongside emerging talent from across the Americas and Europe.
The tournament has become an important platform for player development, international competition, and sports tourism, further strengthening Punta Cana’s position as a growing destination for major international sporting events.
