Organized by the Young Warriors Football Club, one of Antigua’s leading grassroots soccer development groups, the highly anticipated third edition of the Antigua Cup International Youth Tournament is scheduled to take place between July 5 and 12, 2026. All matches will be hosted at the Buckley’s Primary School Playing Field, located in the quiet community of Buckley’s Village.
Marketed as the most thrilling youth soccer showcase of the summer season, the Antigua Cup has built a strong regional and international reputation over its first two stagings, drawing competitive teams from both Antigua and overseas locations. As of the latest announcement from organizers, with 35 days remaining until the first match kicks off, dozens of squads have already locked in their spots across the tournament’s five core boys’ age divisions: under-9, under-11, under-13, under-15, and under-17.
In a push to expand opportunities for female youth athletes, event planners have made targeted outreach a priority this year to grow participation in the newly expanded girls’ division, which will feature three age groups: under-11, under-15, and under-19.
For clubs and youth teams interested in competing, the registration window for both boys’ and girls’ divisions remains open until June 15, when sign-ups will officially close. No late applications will be accepted after this deadline, according to the official statement from the organizing committee.
In a formal press release shared by Young Warriors, club representatives noted, “We are thrilled to welcome another cohort of talented young players to Antigua for a full week of high-intensity, exciting football. This tournament is as much about giving emerging talent valuable exposure to elite competition as it is about celebrating the sport we love.”
To reward outstanding performance, the organizing committee has put together a robust awards structure: the first-place, second-place, and third-place teams from every age group in both divisions will take home custom trophies. Beyond team honors, individual accolades will also be awarded to the standout goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and top goal scorer in each age category.
With the men’s FIFA World Cup set to get underway just months before the Antigua Cup, excitement is already building across Antigua and the wider Caribbean region. Young local players and visiting squads alike are already gearing up to test their skills on the pitch, tapping into the global buzz surrounding the world’s biggest soccer event to fuel their preparation for the tournament.