FC Bayern Youth Cup

Since its launch in 2012, it has been held annually for U16 players in cooperation with FC Bayern partners around the world. From Nigeria to China and in between, over 100,000 players from more than 15 countries have taken part. More than 20 participants have either signed a professional contract or been called up to their national teams after taking part.

Our goal is to give boys all over the world, regardless of their social background, a chance - for free. The best players have the chance to advance to the "Pathway" and be called up to the U19 "FC Bayern World Squad" world selection, which will take them to the doors of professional football.

The journey begins in each participating country together with our partners, where qualifying tournaments lead to a "National Final". At this point, FC Bayern legends and youth coaches travel to select the best 10 players who will make up each national team.

The teams travel to Germany and take part in a training camp on the FC Bayern grounds with coaches from the FC Bayern Campus. The players not only experience the philosophy and methodology of the FC Bayern Campus, but also learn from the cultures of the other participants through the universal language of football.

The highlight is the final tournament in World Cup format, which is held in Munich's Olympic Stadium. It is the time when the players can shine and recommend themselves to our coaches and scouts. All eyes are on the cup to successfully complete a journey that began thousands of kilometres away.

Former FC Bayern Youth Cup players Daniel Francis (Nigeria), Kadir Can Gündogdu (Germany), Victor Orakpo (Nigeria) and Carlos Colina (Mexico) have been through our Pathway, some of them all the way to professional football.