Dubai: Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will lead a 32-team international field as the ninth edition of the Dubai Intercontinental Cup for Under-13 Football kicks off on Thursday, underscoring the emirate’s growing ambition to position itself as a global hub for elite youth development.

Held With the support of the Dubai Sports Council, the four-day tournament runs from Feb. 12 to Feb. 15 and features a record number of international and domestic teams divided into eight groups. Alongside Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, the competition includes Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, Ajax and Flamengo, competing against leading Emirati sides.

Details of what organizers describe as a “mini World Cup” were unveiled at a press conference at Emirates Towers, where Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, appeared alongside the former Spanish international Michel Salgado and Santiago Solari, Real Madrid’s sporting director, In the presence of His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, the directors of football academies in Dubai clubs, and the technical directors and coaches in governmental and private academies..

Strategic Vision for Early Talent Identification

Mr. Belhoul framed the tournament as a cornerstone of Dubai’s broader sports strategy, launched in November, aimed at long-term investment in youth.

“We are working in line with the directives of our leadership to invest in young people,” he said. “This tournament is one of the most important events supporting our sports development plan. It is the practical embodiment of our objectives to build a generation capable of competing with the world’s strongest teams.”

He described the competition as a technical laboratory for assessing Emirati talent against leading global football academies, arguing that exposure to high-level competition is essential for tracking development and correcting course. “Placing young players in a genuine competitive environment is the only way to measure progress accurately,” he added.

The Dubai Sports Council has increasingly emphasized structured youth pathways as part of its efforts to strengthen grassroots football and foster a culture of sport among young people in the United Arab Emirates.

“A School for Life”

Mr. Salgado praised what he called the council’s “unlimited support,” saying the tournament had evolved into a globally recognized brand that offers adolescents more than football. “It provides a life experience that extends beyond the pitch,” he said, citing discipline and cross-cultural exchange.

Mr. Solari described the event as a fundamental pillar of long-term player development. Teaching tactical awareness and football intelligence, he said, must begin at this critical age.

A specialized workshop on talent recruitment, selection criteria and sustainable development pathways followed the press conference, reflecting the tournament’s broader institutional focus on structured scouting and training systems.

Global Field, Local Challenge

This year’s expanded format features 32 teams across eight groups.

Ajax headline Group A alongside Al Nasr of the UAE, CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria and Dribbles SC.

Group B includes Spain’s Celta Vigo, Iris Sports, Levski Sofia of Bulgaria and Spain’s Fursan Hispania (B).

Brazil’s Flamengo lead Group C with Inglesia FC, Mondial FA and Italy’s Levante Azzurro.

Bayern Munich top Group D, joined by Latvia’s Riga FC, Elite SS and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai.

Chelsea anchor Group E with Lombardero of Italy, VV Baronie of the Netherlands and Al Wasl of the UAE.

Real Madrid head Group F, alongside Rodina Moscow of Russia, Al Wahda and Dubai Football Talents Center team (Dubai TC) for under 12 years old, which was launched by the Dubai Sports Council and includes an elite group of talented players from all Dubai clubs and private academies, and in which talented athletes are sponsored, trained and developed.

AC Milan lead Group G with United FC, Romania’s Universitatea Craiova and Sharjah.

Group H features Argentina’s Racing Club, Spain’s Fursan Hispania, Ajman and Ultimate Integral FC.

Opening Day Clashes

Matches begin at 9 a.m., with Al Nasr facing Ajax in Group A, Al Wasl taking on Chelsea in Group E, and Ajman meeting Levante in Group H.

At 10 a.m., Real Madrid open their campaign against Al Wahda in Group F, while Shabab Al Ahli confront Bayern Munich in Group D and Sharjah face AC Milan in Group G.

The 11 a.m. slate includes Barcelona against Fursan Hispania in Group B, Arsenal versus Universitatea Craiova in Group E, and Flamengo against Zad Academy in Group C, completing an opening round that sets an early tone across all groups.

Expanding Global Reach

Organizers said the tournament has achieved significant media penetration. Average viewership has reached 250,000 per match, with total television audiences surpassing three million. Specialized digital platforms have recorded more than 41.7 million visits, reflecting growing international interest in youth football competitions staged in the Gulf.

As Dubai deepens its investment in sports infrastructure and talent development, the Under-13 Intercontinental Cup has become a prominent fixture on the global youth football calendar, blending elite academy competition with the emirate’s broader strategy of cultivating the next generation of players.