Dallas Cup

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⚽️ PLAY FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 26™ TICKETS AT UNITY CUP 5V5⚽️

Dallas Cup is proud to support the Unity Cup 5v5, hosted in partnership with the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee.

🏆 Each age division champion will receive 12 tickets to the FIFA World Cup 26™ match between Sweden and Japan on June 25!
📍 Toyota Soccer Center
📅 Saturday, June 6
⏰ 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

U10-U13 Boys & Girls
5v5 Format, 3 guaranteed matches
Max Roster Size: 8 Players
$400 Per Team

Don’t miss the chance to compete for an unforgettable World Cup experience right here in North Texas.

Register now: https://www.dallascup.org/unity-cup

The Swedes of the Dallas Cup:

Back in 2014, the Dallas Cup brought a whirlwind of international talent to Texas. For two local families hosting through the FC Dallas Youth 97B Gold homestay program, it brought lifelong bonds with a group of unforgettable Swedish youth players. They hosted the Brommapojkarna B98 squad, the 1998-born youth team from the Swedish football club IF Brommapojkarna. Recognized as the defining class of the famous Swedish documentary Fotbollsfabriken (The Football Factory), this generation produced several top-tier professionals now starring in Europe, including Viktor Gyökeres and Dejan Kulusevski. From the moment they arrived, the Blue and Hickman families lovingly referred to the group of guests as "their Swedes"— among their group of guests, a young, determined player named Hjalmar Ekdal. Between intense tournament matches, the host families immersed the boys in true Texas culture sharing family meals to keep the energetic athletes fueled, introducing them to authentic Texas barbecue. Out of all the local delicacies, Hjalmar developed a legendary, distinct obsession with giant Texas cinnamon rolls for breakfast every morning. The boys turned everything into a contest, from battling over ping-pong tables to literally sprinting against each other in restaurant parking lots while waiting for a table. Their official soundtrack was "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors, which blasted at maximum volume on every car ride, as fondly remembered by Tena Hickman.

During a scheduled off-day trip to the Allen Premium Outlets. As Ryan Blue recalls, the moment the Swedes spotted the Tommy Hilfiger store, because the Swedish krona was incredibly strong against the U.S. dollar at the time, the name-brand prices looked like an absolute steal. The players went on an epic shopping spree, buying clothing in their sizes and their families' sizes back home. The haul was so massive that the boys had to buy extra luggage for the trip home.

The competitive spirit also happened in the stands during the Dallas Cup final. The host families’ team, FC Dallas 97B Gold, was locked in a tied game. The Swedes stood up and began chanting fiercely for their Texas brothers breaking into a roaring chorus of, "I believe that we will win!" At that exact second, FC Dallas scored the game-winning goal. The stands erupted, and the Swedish boys celebrated just as loud and proud as the parents.

Over the next twelve years, the host families proudly watched the boys grow up. They followed the careers of their guests through youth academies in Sweden to college soccer days in the United States, and even some all the way to the English Premier League. “We still stay in touch with one of my guests is playing in Florida now, Amadeus Sogaard” – Blain Hickman

By 2026, the incredible journey has come full circle. When Hjalmar and Viktor officially announced on Sweden's World Cup roster, his old Texas families were ecstatic to the Swedish national team's home training base would be located right in Frisco. The Swedish boy who once fell in love with Texas cinnamon rolls returns to Texas

In 2001, a U12 Dallas Texan with future professionals, Omar Gonzalez and Corben Bone, hosted a team from Croatia. One of those players has become a hero to his country and a legend of the game, Ivan Perisic. The Dallas Cup is often the first trip to USA or Texas for international players. Before they were stars, North Texas families open their homes and hearts to these young players In Dallas Cup Homestay Program

In 2018, Croatian footballer Ivan Perišić sought to reunite with the Texas host family he stayed with during his youth while playing for Hajduk Split. An injury sidelined him before Croatia's friendly against Mexico cancelling his trip. Now, he will return to North Texas with the national team for World Cup 2026. Perišić and then teammate Andrija Vukšić stayed with a large, welcoming Middle Eastern Muslim family who lived in a spacious Texas home. While he remembers the women wearing headscarves, his strongest lead is the family's son, Omar (Almallah).

Perišić relying on a connection from another Croatian player, who successfully tracked down his own host parents, Amy and Harlan Korenvaes, and their son, Max. Because Omar and Max were good friends back then, Perišić hopes the Korenvaes family can provide the vital clues needed to finally reconnect with Omar and his host family.

A Legacy of Hospitality: The Whitfield Family

For years, the Dallas Cup Homestay program has served as a bridge between cultures, bringing elite international youth athletes to North Texas for more than just a tournament. The program relies on the open doors and open hearts of local families to provide a "home away from home," fostering lifelong connections that stretch across oceans. Beginning of each year, a selection process assigning international clubs with their host clubs is held.

The Swedish Experience: Jesper Karlström and Kevin Berg

​During their 2013 hosting stint, the Whitfields welcomed Swedish players Jesper and Kevin, two Brommapojkarna players who left a lasting impression with their politeness and professionalism. While both were model guests, Jesper’s elite talent on the pitch was matched only by his disciplined approach to his health.

Cultural Exchange and Team Spirit

​The exchange wasn't just about soccer; it was about building a shared community. Jesper and his teammates became the Whitfield’s team’s biggest fans, attending several local games and cheering wildly from the sidelines. This enthusiastic support provided a thrilling boost for the Texan players, making the international visitors feel like part of the local squad.

​Of course, no trip to North Texas is complete without a bit of Western flair. The Whitfields took the group to downtown Fort Worth, satisfying the players' eager requests to see the iconic "cowboys and cows." These outings provided the perfect backdrop for the Swedish players to experience the legendary Texas culture they had heard so much about.

​The Whitfield family is just one of hundreds of North Texas families that has open their home. Cooper, Chris and Aimee continues to embody the true spirit of the Dallas Cup host familes. Their years of generosity have not only provided a roof for these athletes but have created a welcoming environment where international players can thrive, recover, and experience the best of Texas.

The "Fotbollsfabriken" in Texas: Sweden's Brommapojkarna Dallas Cup Legacy

​Taking on the World in Dallas

​The Dallas Cup is a prestigious proving ground, often referred to as the "World Cup of youth soccer." In 2013 and 2014, Brommapojkarna arrived in Texas to compete in the Gordon Jago Super Group, the tournament's most elite bracket. The 2013 U19 squad took home the Dallas Cup Boot and Ball trophy. Anchoring that squad included 2 current Swedish National Team players Carl Starfelt and Jesper Karlström

The "Brommapojkarna Way"

​What makes BP unique isn't just their volume of players—it's their structured methodology. The club operates the largest youth system in Europe, with over 4,000 active players.

Impact on the National Team
​The influence of Brommapojkarna on the Sweden National Team is nothing short of foundational. At any given time, it is common for 20% to 30% of the national squad to have spent their formative years at Grimsta IP (BP's home ground).

The Legacy of Fotbollsfabriken: A Blueprint for the Modern Academy

​When Fotbollsfabriken (The Football Factory) first aired on SVT, it offered a rare, unvarnished look into one of Europe’s most successful talent pipelines: IF Brommapojkarna (BP). Years later, the docu-series remains a cultural and sporting touchstone, serving as both a time capsule for Swedish football and a cautionary tale about the pressures of elite youth sports.

In 2014, the docu-series B98 squad competed in the Dallas Cup. On that team, 16 year old Viktor Gyökeres and Hjalmar Ekdal. Both will be part of the Swedish National Team coming back to North Texas.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp9v_5QpFHlgOW-hWSDTITTlxCgycSaGn&si=vI9nM20jK1jasKra

Soccer’s Coming Home: Men in Blazers Countdown Tour 22 Days Out LIVE! From Dallas

Roger Bennett

Longhorn Ballroom, Dallas, TX, United StatesAges: All Ages

https://www.axs.com/events/1413468/soccers-coming-home-men-in-blazers-countdown-tour-22-days-out-live-fro-tickets

Churches Minister At Soccer’s Dallas Cup With Goal Of Sharing Christ The Dallas Cup, America’s oldest and best-known international youth soccer tournament, has been held each Easter week since 1980. And for 33 of those years, the DBA has hosted an outreach to minister to players and their families.

Dallas cup 2026