The second edition of the Messi Cup is almost here. From Oct. 25 until Nov. 1, youth players from a number of the world's biggest clubs will be in Miami, Florida to take part in the tournament set up by Lionel Messi's production company.
ESPN has everything you need to know about the competition, including how you can watch it, who's taking part and when the matches will be played.
What is the Messi Cup?
Last December, the inaugural edition of the Messi Cup took place in Miami. It was founded by the Inter Miami star and his production company 525 Rosario.
It is an international youth football tournament that brings academy players from 16 clubs together to face each other across 48 matches. Last year, only eight clubs took part -- meaning that the tournament has already doubled in size.
On its website, the Messi Cup describes itself as "global youth football platform created in partnership with Leo Messi. It brings together the world's top U16 teams and players for a week of competition, cultural exchange, and immersive experiences."
The 16 participating teams will be split into four groups of four. Following Group Play, all teams will advance to the playoff divisions.
The first and second-placed teams from each group will be put into the Copa Oro Division. The quarterfinal winners of this division will advance to the semifinals, the final and the third-place match, while the quarterfinalists that didn't win will take part in the fifth and seventh-place matches.
The third and fourth-placed teams from each group will enter the Copa Plata division. The quarterfinal winners of this division will advance to the ninth and eleven-place matches, and the quarterfinalists that didn't win will continue on to the 13th and 15th-place matches.
Which clubs are taking part?
The tournament has been expanded to include 16 clubs rather than eight for its second edition. Inter Miami, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, River Plate, Inter Milan, Newell's Old Boys and Atlético Madrid all took part last year and will be involved again this time around.
The clubs joining them are: Arsenal, Ajax, Benfica, Palmeiras, Boca Juniors, Independiente del Valle, Flamengo, and UE Cornellà.
How to watch in the UK:
In the UK and Europe, viewers will be able to watch The Messi Cup on Disney+.
- Lionel Messi: Argentina's 2026 World Cup final heartbreak "part of my football journey"
- Lionel Messi greets fans in Spain before Princess of Asturias honor
- Who will win the Ballon d'Or? Messi, Yamal, Kane -- or someone else?
What is the schedule?
The Messi Cup will begin on Sunday, Oct. 25 and the group stages will last until Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Sunday, Oct. 25:
Group C: Independiente del Valle vs. Inter Miami CF
Group A: Ajax vs. Inter Milan
Group B: Barcelona vs. Palmeiras
Group C: Atlético Madrid vs. Benfica
Group B: Arsenal vs. Newell's Old Boys
Group D: Manchester City vs. Boca Juniors
Group D: Flamengo vs. UE Cornellà
Group A: River Plate vs. Chelsea FC
Monday, Oct. 26:
Group A: River Plate vs. Ajax
Group D: Manchester City vs. Flamengo
Group D: Boca Juniors vs. UE Cornellà
Group A: Chelsea FC vs. Inter Milan
Group C: Atlético Madrid vs. Independiente del Valle
Group C: Benfica vs. Inter Miami
Group B: Barcelona vs. Arsenal
Group B: Palmeiras vs. Newell's Old Boys
Tuesday, Oct. 27:
Group D: Boca Juniors vs. Flamengo
Group B: Barcelona vs. Newell's Old Boys
Group C: Atlético Madrid vs. Inter Miami
Group C: Benfica vs. Independiente del Valle
Group A: River Plate vs. Inter Milan
Group A: Chelsea vs. Ajax
Group B: Palmeiras vs. Arsenal
Group D: Manchester City vs. UE Cornellà
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the quarterfinals of both the Copa Oro and the Copa Plata will take place.
Thursday, Oct. 29 will be a rest day.
On Friday, Oct. 30, the fifth to eighth-placed matches of the Copa Oro division and the 13th to 16th-placed matches of the Copa Plata division will take place.
On Saturday, Oct. 31, the semifinals of both divisions will take place.
On Sunday, Nov. 1 -- the last day of the tournament -- the finals of both the Copa Oro and the Copa Plata will take place.
There will be a closing ceremony and an awards presentation on Nov 1.