More than 1,000 teams taking part in record-breaking football tournament
BBCA record 1,013 teams are set for what has been billed as the largest Foyle Cup in the tournament's 34-year history.
It officially kicked off on Monday, with thousands of young footballers from Europe and North America taking part in the traditional opening parade in Londonderry.
Almost 4,000 matches scheduled to take place across more than 60 venues throughout the north west during the six-day tournament.
Gavin Carlin, who played in the tournament as a child with Lifford & District and Crumlin United, described his return in 2025 as a "full-circle moment" after bringing a team from Florida to the competition.
Now based in the Sunshine State, Carlin has returned to the tournament with his Good Lad Soccer programme.
Carlin said the Foyle Cup offered young players far more than just football by exposing future stars to different cultures, playing styles and environments.
Good Lad Soccer brought 25 players and a travelling party of more than 140 people in 2025.
This summer, the Florida-based football programme is returning with 70 players as part of a group of more than 200 people.
Among them is Eden, Samantha and Gabriella, all from Jacksonville, Florida.
"I am so excited for the Foyle Cup and we are going to bring home the gold," Eden told BBC Radio Foyle.
She is confident her team can win, while Samantha is hopeful that she and her teammates "will have a good Foyle Cup experience".
"I like how all the countries come together," said Conor, another Floridian.
"It is a really big cup, it is like the new World Cup."
Carlin said the tournament had become a memorable family experience for many visitors, with families enjoying not only the football, but also the culture and hospitality of the north west.
"It's still about bringing young people together through football, creating friendships and giving players an unforgettable experience."
Tournament organisers said they were expecting crowds of more than 200,000 during the week-long event.
Just eight teams played in the first Foyle Cup in 1992.
Now it operates on a "scale few events anywhere in Europe can match," according to the tournament's secretary, Diolain Ward.
"Months of planning have brought us to today, but now it's over to the players. We look forward to watching thousands of young footballers enjoy six fantastic days of competition, friendship and memories that will stay with them long after the final whistle," he said
The opening parade has long been regarded as one of the highlights of tournament week over the past three decades, with players and coaches being cheered on by huge crowds.
Former Foyle Cup participant and current Coleraine FC player Ben Doherty hopes this year's young players can take inspiration from some of the tournament's previous stars.
Doherty, who previously played for League of Ireland side Derry City, said the competition provided young footballers with a valuable platform to express themselves and test themselves against top opposition from across the globe.
The Bannsiders defender pointed to former Foyle Cup participants such as Paddy McCourt, James McClean and Darron Gibson as examples of players who used the tournament as a springboard to go on to have successful footballing careers.
Doherty recalled his own early memories of the competition, describing it as one of the highlights of the summer and an important part of his football development.
He also highlighted the unique atmosphere during tournament week, with the opening parade, visiting international teams and big crowds of spectators creating a special buzz across the city and district.
Doherty urged young players to enjoy the experience and "play with a smile on your face".
