PSG Academy Senegal has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the only team from Africa invited to participate in the prestigious World Football Festival in Japan. This exceptional honor underscores the academy’s growing reputation and commitment to excellence on the global stage.
The U13 squad from PSG Academy’s Saly, Senegal location will travel to Japan for the tournament, which runs from March 31 to April 6, 2025. For many of these young players, this represents not only their first international competition but also their first journey outside of Senegal, making this a truly life-changing experience.
The tournament, organized by the UNASDG Intergovernmental Organization, brings together elite youth teams from around the world in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PSG Academy Senegal will compete against renowned football powerhouses including Real Madrid, Olympique Lyonnais, Benfica, VfB Stuttgart, and Botafogo, providing an invaluable opportunity to test their skills against some of the best young talents globally.
“This invitation represents a profound opportunity for our young players,” said Valérie Raphoz, Director of PSG Academy Senegal. “This isn’t just a tournament—it’s the adventure of a lifetime. For many of these talented players, it will be their first time boarding a plane, their first time leaving their village, and their first time experiencing a culture so different from their own.”
The competition will take place at the Munakata Global Arena and Avispa Football Center in Fukuoka Prefecture. Munakata City, home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a culturally rich backdrop for this international youth tournament. The location, situated between Fukuoka City and Kitakyushu City, promises to provide participants with an immersive experience in Japanese culture and history alongside the sporting competition.
“At Strive Football Group, our mission has always been to offer the best growth opportunities through football to youth across the globe,” said Ravy Truchot, president of Strive Football Group. “This prestigious invitation to the UN World Football Festival exemplifies exactly what we aim to achieve – creating pathways for young players to develop not just as athletes, but as global citizens who can make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.”
The tournament format features 11-a-side matches with 20-minute halves for the U13 category, bringing together 20 teams from across the world. In addition to the competitive matches, the event includes pre-festival activities, an opening ceremony, and international exchange programs designed to foster friendship and understanding among participants.
This prestigious invitation highlights PSG Academy Senegal’s growing influence in youth football development and provides its talented young players with a platform to showcase their abilities while experiencing the transformative power of international sport.
For the academy’s coaches and players from Saly, Senegal, this tournament represents more than just a competitive opportunity—it’s a chance to serve as ambassadors for both their country and continent while participating in a global initiative that uses football as a vehicle for promoting sustainability and international cooperation.
