Our young footballers will once again represent our academy and Hungary on the international stage. Our teams will first take the field in Barcelona at the Barça Academy World Cup, organized by FC Barcelona, and will then continue their campaign at one of Spain’s most renowned youth tournaments held during the Easter period, the Mare Nostrum Cup.
In 2026, FC Barcelona’s prestigious youth tournament, the Barça Academy World Cup, will be held for the fifth time, with the official Hungarian academy naturally taking part as well. The tournament begins on March 30 at the club’s legendary training centre, the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, at La Masia – a venue that in itself is an inspiration for every young player.
Barça Academy Hungary will be represented by a total of five teams: we will travel to Barcelona with one U10, two U12, and two U14 squads, where we will have the opportunity to measure ourselves against academies arriving from different parts of the world.
Participation is not only a professional sporting challenge, but also an exceptional opportunity for personal growth, strengthening independence, experiencing responsibility, and integrating into an international environment.
A special venue, a special experience
The venue carries special significance: La Masia is one of the central pillars of FC Barcelona’s philosophy, where some of the world’s most talented young players work every day to achieve their dreams. The experiences gained here shape the participants in the long term – not only as footballers, but as individuals as well.
“These tournaments mean far more than simple competitions – they are real milestones in the development of our players. International competition gives our young athletes the opportunity to test their abilities in different football cultures and in a high-level environment. At the same time, for us, it is not only the results that matter most, but the process the players go through: development, learning, gaining experience, and the shaping of their character. On and off the pitch, they learn a great deal, become more independent, build friendships, and proudly represent Hungary as well as the Barça Academy Hungary community.”
– Barna Balogh, CEO of Barça Academy Hungary
Following the tournament in Barcelona, our teams will continue the international challenge at the Mare Nostrum Cup in Salou, where the U11, U13, U15, and U16 age groups will also take the field.
The tournament is one of Spain’s best-known youth football events, providing an excellent opportunity for our players to encounter different football cultures and gain further valuable experience.
International competition plays a key role in our academy’s training philosophy. We believe that competing against different playing styles, tempos, and challenges contributes significantly to the development of our players – both technically and mentally. These experiences help young athletes become more confident, adaptable, and self-aware as sportspeople.
The Barça Academy World Cup is becoming a larger-scale event year after year, and this year again it welcomes a record number of participants, with teams arriving from nearly 30 different countries.
The Budapest teams travel to Barcelona in a relaxed yet highly motivated spirit. Once again, the focus is on development, gaining experience, and creating lifelong memories, while our players represent our country in a worthy manner.
Based on the experiences and performances of previous years, we can rightfully be confident that they will deliver another memorable performance this year.