Ukraine is represented at the Magic Cup 2026 international tournament in the USA by FC KOPA, a children's football team from the Orphan Care Center, which brings together orphans, half-orphans, children affected by war, and internally displaced persons. It was FC KOPA that got the opportunity to perform at the prestigious international tournament, as the team is a two-time world champion among teams from orphanages.

"Children are the most valuable thing we have. It is very important to create opportunities for them to develop, dream and believe in their own strengths. I am glad that I was able to support FC KOPA's participation in the Magic Cup, because such projects help children open new horizons and develop in football."- noted UAF President Andriy Shevchenko. 
 

Photo: UAF


Magic Cup is a new international football tournament. One of the main partners and sponsors of the competition is Disney, which supports the project as part of its own program to develop and support sports among children and youth.

The tournament takes place at the legendary ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, one of the most famous sports centers in the United States. The competition brings together U12/U13 teams (born in 2013–2014) in a 7x7 format.

The Magic Cup is positioned as a global platform that unites football academies and grassroots teams from different parts of the world, providing equal opportunities for children regardless of their origin or social status. The tournament supports the UN initiative Football for the Goals and uses football as a tool for developing leadership, inclusivity and social impact. The competition matches are broadcast on ESPN, and the tournament itself becomes the basis for a documentary series.

This year's tournament features the academies of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Boca Juniors, as well as teams from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Congo, Barbados and other countries around the world. The official ambassadors of the Magic Cup are world football legends Andriy Shevchenko, Javier Zanetti, Rivaldo and Ivan Cordoba.

FC KOPA was created by the Orphan Care Center of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The center was founded on June 1, 2009 with the blessing of Archbishop and Metropolitan Igor of Lviv. The basis of its activities is the systematic support of children deprived of parental care through education, mentoring, social projects and sports.

Photo: UAF


The "KOPA" football project originated as an opportunity to give children an alternative to the streets, to help them find new friends, develop through sports, and feel supported. Over the years, it has grown into a full-fledged football team, which today is not only a sports project, but also an important social and rehabilitation project.

For many children, football has become a tool for psychological recovery, developing discipline, teamwork and self-confidence. The team regularly participates in international social and sports initiatives and is a two-time world champion among teams from orphanages.

In the group stage of the Magic Cup 2026, the Ukrainian team will face the Portuguese Benfica, the English Manchester City, and the Leoni Di Potrero team, a sports and charity project founded by Inter Milan legends Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso.

The tournament final and awards ceremony will be held on June 5.

For Ukrainian children, participating in the Magic Cup is not only an opportunity to play against peers from the world's leading academies, but also a chance to represent Ukraine on the international stage, gain invaluable experience, and prove once again that Ukrainian children are capable of competing at the highest level.

We are rooting for the FC KOPA team! Follow the news from the tournament on UAF social networks.