A New Gen at Gothia Cup, A Tournament of Firsts & Growth

The world's largest youth football tournament is about to get a new wave of Right to Dream talent as our U16 squad takes part in Gothia Cup, held in Gothenburg, Sweden from July 14th to 20th.

A Fresh Start, A New Challenge

For many of these young talents, stepping onto the Gothia Cup pitches will be a life-changing experience.

They're leaving their comfort zones behind, embracing the challenge of international competition, and playing in front of a massive crowd for the first time. And while this may be their first Gothia Cup, they're backed by a rich history and legacy.

For years, Gothia Cup has been a proving ground for many Right to Dream graduates, with alumni like Mohamed Kudus, Ernest Nuamah, and Simon Adingra having once showcased their talents on these very fields before launching their pro careers.

Now, it's the turn for a new squad hungry for growth to carry the torch, expand their experience, and write their own chapter in this legacy of excellence.

Growth Over Goals

While Right to Dream has been crowned Gothia Cup Champions seven times; our primary goal isn’t about winning at all costs.

For us, Gothia Cup provides the perfect environment for our U16s to grow, adapt to new playing styles, unfamiliar opponents, and the pressure of performing on a global stage. Every match, every training session, and every interaction with their teammates and opponents is a chance to learn, adapt, and improve before returning home stronger & more confident.

As Coach Benjamin Ajslev puts it, "There are high expectations, but for me, it’ll always be about development."

He's not just talking about perfecting passes and mastering dribbles. He's talking about cultivating a “growth mindset that allows them to go into that state of being willing to learn”.

Community Power: A Team United

The growth and learning extend beyond the technical aspects of the game. Gothia Cup is an opportunity to celebrate the collective strength of the Right to Dream community.

It’s a moment where our global community from Ghana to Denmark to Egypt to US and beyond, as well as our fans and supporters from all over the world all come together to support the next gen of talent. It strengthens their bonds as a team and allows them to connect with the wider community.

"Most of the team consider each other best friends," says Coach Ajslev. "I hope that once we're done with Gothia, we feel like we came even closer together."

The Agenda

The U16 squad kicks off their Gothia Cup journey against Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna on Monday, followed by matches against Moldova’s Academia Radu Rebeja and Sweden's Kalmar FF on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Follow along on Instagram to get a front-row seat to the next gen of talent as they embrace challenges, learn from new experiences, and continue to grow as individuals and as a team.