Ahead of the 2026 Generation adidas Cup that kicks off this weekend, Philadelphia Union Academy midfielder Abdoulaye Diop has be selected for the Rising XI.
The 2026 Generation adidas Cup will take place from March 27 - April 4 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, pitting MLS Academies and MLS Elite Academies against clubs from around the world.
Past iterations of GA Cup have seen MLS academy talents announce themselves on a high-level stage. In recent years, current first-team players like Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Stuart Hawkins (Seattle Sounders FC), Stefan Chirila (FC Cincinnati), Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew) and Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls) have made waves.
The Union Academy have won the prestigeous event four times in their history and are the only MLS side to win back-to-back GA Cup Championships when they completed the double at the U-17 level in 2023 and 2024.
The premier international youth tournament will feature 19 international teams representing 14 different countries including nternational powerhouses FC Bayern, FC Barcelona, PSV Endhoven , Wolfsburg, CF Monterrey and Club America competing against MLS academies at IMG Academy.
Under the direction of two-time Generation adidas Head Coach Peter McDonnell, the Union U-16s will face off against Atlanta United FC, Sporting Kansas City and Monterrey in Group F play. will see their group stage consist of Nashville SC, St. Louis CITY SC and Club Necaxa from Mexico.
Ben Moane's U-15 squad facing a tough Group G that pairs the Baby Snakes against Inter Miami CF, Sporting Kansas City and French side Toulouse FC.
