The 2026 Messi Cup kicks off on Sunday, with Arsenal’s squad and fixture list for the tournament now confirmed.
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The Arsenal u16s will take part in the Messi Cup this year, with the young Gunners making their first appearance at the tournament in its second year.
The first Messi Cup was held in 2025, with eight teams participating, but this year’s edition is increasing the number of participants to 16. From England, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City are taking part.
The other 13 teams are River Plate, AFC Ajax, Inter Milan, FC Barcelona, Palmeiras, Newell’s Old Boys, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Independiente del Valle, Inter Miami, Boca Juniors, Flamengo, and UE Cornella.
Arsenal’s group-stage schedule has now been confirmed, as well as the squad the club are taking to the tournament.
Arsenal’s Messi Cup fixtures
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- Sunday, October 25th: Arsenal vs Newell’s Old Boys
- Monday, October 26th: Barcelona vs Arsenal
- Tuesday, October 27th: Palmeiras vs Arsenal
All three fixtures are listed on the Messi Cup website as taking place at 16:30 EDT (21:30 BST or 20:30 GMT), but the UK TV broadcast schedule lists them as taking place between 20:20 and 21:50.
The UK clocks also change to GMT on Sunday night, so it’s probably best to double check the timings as kick-off approaches. All three group games will be broadcast on Disney+ in the UK.
If Arsenal finish 1st or 2nd in their group, they’ll then progress to a top-eight knockout bracket between the four groups. If they finish 3rd or 4th, they’ll enter a bracket with the bottom-eight teams.
Either way, they’ll play three knockout matches to determine their final position, with eliminated teams facing off against each other to decide their ranking.
Arsenal Messi Cup squad
Photo via Arsenal.com
Arsenal u16 squad: Albie Shea, Kendrick Van Djoy, Jaden Maghoma, Abdul Zakari, Travis Chilard-Martin, Giovahn Jones, Reiss Tweneboa Kodua, Darius Odeyemi, Max Chuderski, Blake Day King, Jayden Anidi, Fletcher McBryde, Beau Luton, Isaiah Matthews, Kayden Joseph, Leo Aliadiere, Khamil Hall, Jayce Smith, Onye Asiegbu, and Frankie Wyatt.
To pick out a few players to watch, Maghoma is probably the team’s star player, having already played for Arsenal up to u19 level. Maghoma has two goals and two assists in five games for the Arsenal u18s this season.
Leo Aliadiere, as well as having a very appropriate first name for this tournament, is the son of former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere. Leo has taken part in England u15 camps in the past.
Then Chilard-Martin is at the centre of a battle for his international future, making his debuts for both the England u16s and the France u16s during the early months of this season.
But you never know which players might end up making a name for themselves on an international stage like this. Another youngster might end up being the surprise package of the tournament.
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