By Jonathan Paoli South Africa is set to host the prestigious IberCup International Youth Football Tournament, marking a groundbreaking moment for the country’s youth football scene. The event will take place in Gauteng from 12 to 18 December, drawing elite youth teams from around the globe and promising to transform the landscape of South African football. Established in 2010, the IberCup has become a major force in youth football, attracting over 10,000 teams and 150,000 players annually from more than 170 countries. It serves as a vital platform for players aged 9 to 18, many of whom have gone on to shine at elite clubs and international competitions. This year, the tournament’s expansion into South Africa represents a new era of opportunity for local aspiring footballers.Scheduled to take place at Johannesburg’s top facilities, the IberCup will feature 156 teams. They include powerhouse clubs such as Benfica from Portugal, River Plate from Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain from France, RCD Espanyol de Barcelona from Spain, Arsenal from England, Ajax from the Netherlands, alongside South African teams like Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport United, as well as Tecno Football Academy from Liberia. The event is set to attract over 3,000 young players and numerous scouts from top-tier clubs. Michael Bender, CEO of IberCup South Africa, expressed his enthusiasm for the event and the role it plays in developing football in the country. “IberCup’s global reach brings young footballers, scouts, clubs, and academies together from every corner of the world. South Africa has not previously been able to participate due to the costs of traveling abroad. “So, we decided to bring ‘overseas’ here. This tournament is about exposing our local talent to international standards and styles, but it’s also about building a legacy that benefits the youth in Gauteng,” Bender said. The Gauteng government’s alignment with the IberCup’s mission underscores a commitment to leveraging football as a vehicle for socio-economic development. Through the tournament, local players will not only compete at a world-class level but also benefit from community development programmes, football clinics and educational workshops. “We are working hand in hand with the Gauteng government to ensure the long-term success of this event. Football can be a catalyst for change, and we aim to create a platform that not only develops young athletes but also empowers communities and creates opportunities for those previously excluded from the sport,” Bender added. In addition to the tournament, IberCup will partner with local non-profit organisations to promote values of teamwork, discipline, and social responsibility. Outreach programs will engage underprivileged communities, using football to inspire and uplift the next generation both on and off the pitch. A bursary programme will allow selected Gauteng schools and clubs to participate, and one lucky team will win an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the IberCup Cascais in Portugal in 2025. Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreatio MEC Matome Chiloane praised the event, saying it promised to enhance local football standards and contribute significantly to regional social and economic development. “The IberCup is an important tournament which the Gauteng government believes has a lot to offer in inspiring our young talent to greater levels. It has the capacity to instil confidence in the minds of the players to realise that they too have enough talent to play and succeed in the big leagues and clubs anywhere else in the world,” Chiloane said. As anticipation builds, South Africa is ready to showcase its passion for football, proving once again that it is a premier destination for international sport, with the IberCup set to leave a lasting legacy, echoing far beyond the final whistle.
