Minerva Academy FC drawn in Group B as top seed at historic MIC Cup 2026

The official draw for the MIC Cup 2026 took place on Wednesday, marking a historic moment for Indian football as Minerva Academy FC became the first club in the country to participate in the prestigious global youth tournament.

Widely regarded as one of the most elite youth competitions in world football, the MIC Cup features top academies from Europe and the Americas. Minerva’s participation represents a significant milestone for Indian grassroots football on the international stage.

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The Indian side has been placed in Group B of the Under-15 category as the top-seeded team, alongside BOCA OC (USA), EF Santa Ana (Canada) and Kaptiva Sports Academy (Spain). The U-15 competition will feature 56 teams divided into 14 groups, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the knockout stage while the remaining teams move into the consolidation phase.

The tournament lineup also includes several prominent European academies such as Atlético Madrid, Villarreal CF, Real Sociedad and Liverpool FC.

Minerva’s seeding highlights the academy’s growing international reputation and years of structured youth development. Their participation at the MIC Cup signals a major step forward for Indian football, offering young players invaluable exposure against some of the best academies in the world.