PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — The second edition of MICFootball Punta Cana is set to bring together some of the world’s most promising young football talent, with 48 Dominican teams and clubs from more than 20 countries competing from June 24 to 29 at The Fields, Cap Cana Sports City.
The international youth tournament, which has quickly become one of the Caribbean’s premier football events, will feature 27 groups across six competition categories, showcasing teams from renowned global football academies and professional clubs alongside emerging local talent.
Among the most anticipated participants are youth teams representing Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Sevilla FC, Inter Miami, Club América, SC Corinthians, and Paris Saint-Germain Academy, creating a highly competitive international environment for players and scouts alike.
In the U16 division, local clubs Punta Cana FC and Elite Football Academy will compete against Bayamón FC, Depor Panamá, and Trinidad and Tobago’s BBYA in Group A. Group B includes Dominican sides SD Colonial and Downtown Soccer Academy alongside Juventus Academy and Proyecto JDB. Atlético de Madrid headlines Group C, where it will face Barça Academy, Futbol Consultants, and Futbol Lab.
The women’s F16 category will feature a single group consisting of CF Cruz Azul, Barça Academy, Proyecto JDB, Garrincha FC, SD Colonial, and Fundación DYF, highlighting the growing presence of women’s football within the tournament.
Competition in the U15 category includes notable clubs such as Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Club América, Once Caldas, Cibao FC, Punta Cana FC, SD Colonial, and Downtown Soccer Academy, while the U14 division brings together teams from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
The U13 tournament will feature clubs including SC Corinthians, LA Galaxy, PSG Canada, Barça Academy, Venados Yucatán, Punta Cana FC, and SD Colonial, further strengthening the event’s international profile.
Meanwhile, the U12 category will showcase some of the most recognized youth football brands in the world. Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, PSG Academy North America, Villarreal CDMX, Cibao FC, Punta Cana FC, and Barça Academy are among the teams scheduled to compete across eight groups.
Organizers expect the tournament to attract thousands of players, coaches, family members, and football enthusiasts to Punta Cana, generating significant tourism activity during the competition week.
The event is supported by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), Cap Cana Sports City, the National Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES), Banreservas, Air Europa, Copa Airlines, and several private-sector partners.
Officials say the tournament represents more than a sporting competition. Through a strategic collaboration between tourism and sports stakeholders, MICFootball Punta Cana aims to position the Dominican Republic as a leading destination for international sports tourism while showcasing the country’s capacity to host world-class events.
Beyond developing future football stars, organizers believe the tournament will generate substantial economic and media exposure for Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic, helping attract visitors from key international markets and reinforcing the country’s reputation as a destination capable of welcoming global sporting events.
With elite academies, international competition, and growing global attention, MICFootball Punta Cana 2026 is expected to further strengthen the region’s position as an emerging hub for youth football and sports tourism in the Caribbean.
