When people think of the Pulcino d’Oro, the first clubs that come to mind are some of Europe’s biggest names, including Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Sporting CP, PSV Eindhoven, Leeds United and RB Leipzig, as well as prestigious Italian sides such as Juventus, Inter, AC Milan, Roma, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio, Parma and Como. Not to mention South American giants like River Plate, Fluminense and Palmeiras.
Yet the true value of the Pulcino d’Oro International Tournament does not lie solely in these world-renowned clubs. At its heart are the amateur teams, who in almost every case earned their place through the qualifying tournaments, embarking on a journey driven by commitment, passion and determination.
From March onwards, qualifying tournaments took place across Italy and beyond. Portugal, Germany, England and the Netherlands joined the growing list of countries hosting Pulcino d’Oro 2026 qualifiers, further expanding the tournament’s international reach.
A total of 18 qualifying tournaments paved the way to the Pulcino d’Oro Finals, with amateur clubs competing for a place among the 64 teams that took part in the eleventh edition of one of the most prestigious and renowned youth football tournaments in its category.
From June 11 to 14 in Levico Terme, these young players had the unique opportunity to share the pitch with some of the world’s top academies, where professional and amateur clubs competed side by side.
The qualifying tournaments in Italy were expertly organised by our partner clubs: Levante Azzurro (Puglia), Real Sito (Campania), Nuova Tor Tre Teste (Lazio), Castiglione del Lago (Umbria), Franco Selvaggi (Basilicata), Junior Jesina – Scuola Calcio Roberto Mancini (Marche), Vivi Don Bosco (Sicily), Villa Cortese (Lombardy), Bovolone (Veneto/Veneto GIRLS), Conca Academy (Emilia-Romagna), Cavolano (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) and Lavis (Trentino). International qualifying tournaments were hosted by leading clubs including RB Leipzig (Germany), Benfica (Portugal), Leeds United (England) and PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands).
But the amateur spirit extended far beyond Italy. Clubs from across Europe also earned their place at the tournament, including Denmark’s Gentofte Fodbold. The non-professional side emerged as one of the biggest revelations of the competition, impressing everyone with their fearless, attractive football and proving they could challenge even the tournament’s biggest names.
Many other well-respected amateur clubs also took part in the tournament. Among them was Liventina, a renowned youth academy that helped develop players such as Bryan Cristante, UEFA Euro 2020 winner with Italy, and AC Milan’s rising talent Filippo Terracciano. Another standout was Montebelluna, who surprised everyone by winning the Yellow-Blue Group, finishing ahead of Leicester City, the English club famous for its remarkable 2015/16 Premier League title triumph. Voluntas Brescia also featured prominently. The Lombardy-based club is widely recognised for producing the Esposito brothers: Salvatore, a key player for Sampdoria; Sebastiano, who has already made more than 50 Serie A appearances; and Pio, one of Italy’s brightest young prospects, currently with Inter and the Italian national youth teams.
A special mention also goes to the four clubs that lifted the Pulcini Arcobaleno trophies: San Luigi Trieste (Friuli-Venezia Giulia), Giovani Fucecchio (Tuscany), MolvenoSpor (Trentino) and Voran Leifers (South Tyrol).
Benacense enjoyed an outstanding tournament, with Real Sito and Trento also delivering impressive performances as all three clubs remained in contention for the top places until the closing stages on Sunday morning. In the Pulcino d’Argento competition, the Garda-based side—already winners of the Trentino qualifying tournament in Lavis—showcased their quality by reaching the battle for a place in the top four. Real Sito, our partner club in Campania, were equally impressive throughout the tournament. Trento also produced one of the standout moments of the event with a historic victory over Barcelona, eventually falling short only on Sunday morning in a highly competitive group featuring Fluminense, Roma and Real Sito.
In the race for the Pulcino di Bronzo title, Ancona and Treviso battled for a place in the final four alongside Leeds United and Benfica. Special praise also goes to ACR Football Club—winners of the Rome qualifying tournament—for earning a well-deserved place among the top four teams in the Bronze competition. They competed in a high-quality field that also included Universal Solaro, champions of the Lombardy qualifying tournament, and Barcelona among the top eight.
The Pulcino Gialloblù competition saw Villafranca Veronese emerge as one of the standout amateur clubs, reaching the final four, while Vigor Senigallia and Foligno also delivered excellent performances. Finally, special recognition goes to the clubs representing Southern Italy and the North-East: Franco Selvaggi from Basilicata, Levante Azzurro from Puglia, and Dolomiti Bellunesi, all of whom proudly represented their regions on the international stage.
The Pulcino d’Oro is much more than just a football tournament. For amateur clubs, it is a unique opportunity for growth that goes far beyond the results achieved on the pitch. Competing against top academies from across Italy and around the world allows young players to experience different styles of football, discover new football cultures and learn from every match they play.
At the same time, the tournament promotes the values that have always defined its identity: Fair Play, respect for opponents, inclusion and the genuine friendships that only football can create. These principles are at the heart of every moment of the event, making the Pulcino d’Oro an unforgettable experience for every young player who takes part.
