Take the most up-to-date MICFootball 2022 game dates, tipoff times and matchups with you wherever you go by downloading the calendar of the competition right now!
This year there will be a total of 5 different Opening Ceremonies. Due to the current situation caused by the pandemic, the organization has opted for this option seeking a better optimization of the room by venues and categories.
Access to the Opening Ceremonies will be guaranteed for all players and teams. No tickets will be required. Family members staying with MICFootball, as well as fans in general, will have free access to Figueres and Palamós. The rest of the inaugurations will depend on the availability at the stands.
This will be the MICFootball’s 2022 inaugurations, which will take place on April 13th.
Teams from U16 & F20 categories
Teams from U18 & U20 categories
Teams from U13 & U15 categories
Teams from U12B & U14 categories
Teams from U12A category
The 20th edition of the international MICFootball (MIC-Mediterranean International Cup) tournament was presented today at CaixaBank’s headquarter in Barcelona, as a result of the financial institution’s historic sponsorship of the tournament for 10 years. The event was attended by Nico González and Aitana Bonmatí, FC Barcelona’s football players. The tournament will be held from 12th to 17th April 2022 at Costa Brava and returns after three years with the attendance of 300 teams from about 30 countries and 6.000 participants spread out in 9 categories (from U12 to U20, among men’s and women’s grassroots football and functional diversity). The opening will be held in Figueres –main stage–, Palamós, Lloret i l’Estartit while Roses will be the novelty of the 33 headquarters in Girona that are a part of it.
MICFootball, recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious grassroots football tournaments, has the two blue and scarlet players as godfathers.Nico Gonzalez, who took part in 5 editions of MICFootball with the FC Barcelona’s grassroots football team, has remembered that “for me, MIC is really special because it was my first football tournament with Barça, when we had not yet signed. It was unique. It’s a week that you look forward to and it’s a special tournament that you enjoy with your friends, and which has a lot of follow-up”. Regarding to the first team, the midfielder has pointed out that “we are very excited about the Europa League, winning my first title would be the most special thing that has happened to me in my sporting career. The league? We must believe in it, the dynamics we have are very good, but we don’t want to fool anyone either, it’s complicated”.
Aitana Bonmatí, author yesterday of a goal in the historic FC Barcelona-Real Madrid CF Champions League match (5-2) with 91,553 spectators at the Camp Nou, has asserted that “it was a day hard to assume, I’m out of words, we have received many messages and I want to thank people for their support. When I was a child, I used to dream of playing at Camp Nou. I hope that what happened yesterday was a turning point and that it will go on. The second Champions? Let’s dream, why not? The objective is to reach the final”. The blue and scarlet midfielder didn’t play MICFootball in her grassroots football stage, but “I was a loyal fan of the tournament and when I had finished training at the Ciutat Esportiva, I ran to Girona to watch the matches. Seeing how the boys and girls enjoyed it was great”.
MICFootball, organized by MICSports, adjourned 2020 and 2021 editions because of the pandemic and this year returns from 12th to 17th April. To avoid congestion at the stands, the tournament’s inauguration (13th April) will be held simultaneously in four headquarters: Figueres –with Vilatenim’s stadium as a main stage–, Palamós, Lloret de Mar and l’Estartit. The 9 finals will be divided, as the last time, between Figueres and Palamós, during the weekend. The rest of the tournament’s headquarters are: Bàscara, Begur, Caldes de Malavella, Calonge, Cassà de la Selva, Castell Platja d’Aro, Castelló d’Empúries-Empuriabrava, Fornells de la Selva, Hostalric, l’Escala, la Bisbal d’Empordà, la Jonquera, Llançà, Monells, Mont-ras, Palafrugell, Pals, Quart, Roses, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Sant Gregori, Sant Pere Pescador, Santa Coloma de Farners, Santa Cristina d’Aro, Sils, Torroella de Montgrí, Tossa de Mar, Vidreres i Vilablareix.
It will be attended by 300 teams from about 30 countries and nearly 6,000 participants, including players and members of the coaching staff. There will be representatives from the United States, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Perú, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and South Korea, and, from Europe, from countries such as Italy, Portugal, France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Romania, Israel, and Spain. Players from 12 to 20 years old will take part, divided into 9 categories, from U12 to U20. MICIntegra, aimed at people with functional diversity and supported by l’Obra Social “la Caixa”, will be played for the eighth time, on April 15 in Vidreres.
Among the confirmed teams, there are 11 out of the 20 LaLiga’s clubs (FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, RCD Espanyol, Club Atlético de Madrid, Valencia CF, Villarreal CF, Real Betis Balompié, Sevilla FC, Real Sociedad de Fútbol, Athletic Club de Bilbao and RC Celta), and other European leaders, such as Manchester United FC, Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC, among others. Television and streaming broadcasts will also be present in this edition and a large part of the tournament can be watched from anywhere in the world.
The event began with a welcome speech by Alfredo Bustillo, CaixaBank’s Director of Sponsorship. In his speech, he highlighted the role of the organization as “one of the pioneering companies in sports sponsorship with more than 30 years of experience”. He also emphasized the involvement with the tournament, stating that the relationship “goes far beyond the historical sponsorship of the championship, with which we have been linked for 10 years and which helps us to continue in the strategy of promoting the sport as an inclusive tool for society and that helps sports and cultural organizations and institutions to develop projects that can help social and economic progress, in line with the values of the entity”.
This afternoon’s presentation also featured speeches by Jordi Masquef, diputat d’Esports de la Diputació de Girona; Juanjo Rovira, MICFootball’s director, and Jaume Masana, CaixaBank’s territorial director in Catalonia. Sports journalist Gerard Romero led the event.
Juanjo Rovira explains that “we come back with the utmost enthusiasm, desire and strength. We haven’t been able to do it for two years and after all that has happened, we will have 300 teams from 30 countries, a figure we would have accepted without a second thought three months ago. We will adapt to the current situation to get as close as possible to what the tournament was before the pandemic”. Rovira, who thanked the support of institutions, administrations, sponsors, and collaborators, emphasizes that “we are looking forward to seeing how big and small teams live together and discover football promises. We are ready to celebrate, as always, the best MIC in history”.
Jordi Masquef underlined that “we all really want MIC after two years without being able to celebrate it due to the pandemic. This year, a total of 33 Girona municipalities will be the scene of the tournament, which is an excellent platform for the international projection of these municipalities and, at the same time, allows us to further promote our territory as a sports tourism destination”.
Jaume Masana accentuated CaixaBank’s commitment to the territory, in this case in the Girona region, in an event such as MICFootball. In addition, Masana thanked the work of CaixaBank volunteers: “We are very proud of their contribution to the tournament by actively collaborating with the organization, accompanying the participants, supporting them and giving everything operational support”.
MICFootball has proven to be a real cradle of footballers in the 19 editions that have been played. A wide range of elite players has played it, like Leo Messi, Neymar, Ansu Fati, Carvajal, Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Joao Felix, Mohamed Salah, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Theo Hernandez, Brahim Diaz, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Nico González, Coutinho, Pau Torres, Sergio Reguilón, Pablo Fornals, Piqué, Marcelo and Juan Mata, among others.
The tournament, which this year again has the Girona Provincial Council and CaixaBank as its main partners, mobilizes 400 volunteers and improves the position of the Costa Brava as a destination for sports tourism and projects it internationally. According to the MIC – Mediterranean International Cup 2018 Economic Impact Study commissioned by the Costa Brava Girona Tourism Board, the 2018 MICFootball generated a return in the territory of more than 11.5 million euros with a budget of 2,8 MEUR. For every euro invested by the public administration, there was a return to the territory of more than 100 euros.
The values that MICFootball tries to convey are also reflected in the Dani Montesinos Sports Journalism Award, with the aim of remembering the figure of the journalist and with the objective of promoting sports journalism and young journalists. The award, promoted by MICSports in collaboration with Mediapro, will recognize for the 10th year a work written by a journalism student, who will at the same time obtain an internship on the GOL Channel.
Once the draw has been made, we already have the groups for MICFootball 2022 that will be held from April 12 to 17 on the Costa Brava. 69 groups of 9 different categories.
In the following link you can watch again the draw we have made for each category: bit.ly/MICF22_Grupos
This is how MICFootball 2022 groups look like:
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The best possible memory of an unforgettable experience at the Costa Brava.
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MICFootball 2022, which will be held at the Costa Brava from April 12 to 17, will feature 10 LaLiga teams. That is exactly half of the teams in the entire Spanish league.
The 10 First Division teams that will play the championship during Holy Week are: Barça, Madrid, Atlético, Villarreal, Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Valencia, Athletic, Betis and Espanyol.
Barça is the most successful team in the tournament (16), while Espanyol (13) and Madrid (10) will seek to add trophies in this edition.
Real Sociedad will debut as a team in the tournament. The people of San Sebastian will play MICFootball for the first time, something that makes us very excited. It is one of the fashionable clubs in national football and with a very well-worked academy.
The draw for the MICFootball 2022 groups will take place soon. As usual, it will be featured in our YouTube channel.
Real Sociedad will be part of MICFootball 2022, which will take place from April 12 to 17 on the Costa Brava.
It is a great honor to have in the tournament one of the clubs that works best in the lower categories in Spain. The Donostiarra are also one of the fashionable teams displaying an attractive and vertical football.
In the current Real Sociedad there is only one player with a past in the MIC. He is Robert Navarro, a young midfielder trained in FC Barcelona. The Catalan played three times in the MICFootball (2014, 2016 and 2018).
Here you can check the complete list of confirmed teams in MICFootball 2022.
Athletic Club has confirmed its participation in the MICFootball 2022 edition, which will take place from April 12 to 17 on the Costa Brava.
The Basque club is a history of national football and one of the best-working youth teams. Lezama is one of the best Academies in the world.
In the current first Athletic team we find 4 MICPlayers: Unai Simon, international goalkeeper with Spain, played in the 2012 and 2014 editions; Oier Zarraga and Unai Nuñez were also at the Costa Brava, while emerging Nico Williams left his mark in 2019.
After two years without a tournament due to the pandemic, we are back in style. With more desire than ever to enjoy youth football.
This week the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League kick off. 16 teams pursue the same goal: to lift the trophy in Saint Petersburg on May 28th.
A lot of MICPlayers will be shining in each of the round of 16 qualifiers, one more example of the potential of the tournament that will celebrate its 20th edition this Easter from April 12 to 17. The young promises of world football begin their journeys at the Costa Brava.
We review all the #MICPlayers:
PSG – REAL MADRID
The most morbid tie of all the round of 16 of the Champions League. PSG has 4 players with a past in MICFootball. Two of them, top level. Leo Messi and Neymar left their mark on the Costa Brava a few years ago. The Argentine coincided with Cesc Fabregas back in 2005, while the Brazilian star was champion in 2008 together with Casemiro. In addition, wings Juan Bernat and Hakimi Achraf have also been through the tournament. Also the prospect Xavi Simons, although his role in the first team is still testimonial.
In Madrid there are a few players: Dani Carvajal, Casemiro and Marcelo stepped on the pitches of the MIC. More recently, homegrown players Miguel Gutiérrez and Antonio Blanco showed their talent at the tournament.
SPORTING LISBOA – MANCHESTER CITY
With the signing of Ferran Torres for Barça, there are only two MIC representatives left at Manchester City. One is Rodri. The midfielder played the tournament with Atlético de Madrid in 2010. And the other is the young promise Cole Palmer who has already made his debut in this competition scoring a goal against Bruges.
Pablo Sarabia, former PSG player, who came to MICFootball with Real Madrid, is on the Portuguese team.
INTER-LIVERPOOL
Two European football classics will face each other in an interesting pairing. Stefano Sensi and Federico Dimarco, players of the Italian club, passed through MICFootball a decade ago. In the English team we have illustrious names like Alisson (he came with the Brazilian National Team along with Neymar, Coutinho and Casemiro), Mo Salah or Curtis Jones.
RB SALZBURG – BAYERN MUNICH
The tie with the least presence of MIC players. Only two, both in the Bavarian team: Lucas Hernández (he came with Atlético in 2010) and Marc Roca, a product of the Espanyol youth academy.
CHELSEA-LILLE
The European champion will face the French team in a knockout with 3 players “Made in MIC”. At Chelsea we find Saúl Ñíguez, who played MICFootball with Real Madrid in 2008. In the French team, for his part, we find Sven Botman and Angel Gomes.
VILLARREAL – JUVENTUS
The yellow submarine keeps the continental dream alive. Unai Emery’s men will face Alex Sandro’s Juventus. The Brazilian came to MICFootball twice, becoming champion in 2010. At Villarreal there are four players with a past in the tournament: Pau Torres, Yeremi Pino, Alfonso Pedraza and Gerard Moreno (two participations, 2008 and 2010).
ATLETICO MADRID – MANCHESTER UNITED
A fast-paced tie that can be offered by two powerhouses who are not having their best season. At Atlético de Madrid we find the Portuguese João Felix, who played for MIC with FC Porto. In the English team we have a wide representation, with Eric Bailly, Diogo Dalot (he coincided with João in the tournament), Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and the young breakthrough Anthony Elanga.
Bailly came in 2013 with RCD Espanyol, Juan Mata at the beginning of the century with Oviedo and Rashford was already wearing the colors of United in the 2010 edition.
BENFICA – AJAX
In the last pairing we also have players with a past in MICFootball. Grimaldo is currently at Benfica. The left back played on the Costa Brava in 2009 with Barça.
On the other hand, in the Dutch team there are up to 6 MIC players: Jay Gorter, Ryan Gravenberch (2nd in the past Golden Boy behind Pedri), Sean Klaiber, Andre Onana (played the tournament with Barça), Daley Blind and Kenneth Taylor.
Atlético de Madrid has confirmed its participation in MICFootball 2022, which will take place from April 12 to 17 on the Costa Brava.
The Spanish club is one of the greatest clubs in European football, as well as one of the best youth teams. The Rojiblancos will come to the MIC for the 14th time in their history. They are one of the teams with most titles, as they have won it 4 times: category G (2018), category D (2011), category D (2010) and category D (2003).
In the aforementioned 2010 edition, Atlético defeated Barça in a beautiful final decided by Salomon Obama. The striker scored a hat-trick and was the great protagonist of an incredible match.
#MICPlayers
In the current Atlético de Madrid squad there is only one player who was in the MICFootball. It’s Joao Felix. The Portuguese midfielder was on the Costa Brava years ago, playing the tournament with FC Porto.
