Twelve of the world’s best U-17 football teams from around the world on their way to Qatar to take part in the 2019 Al Kass International Cup. From today to Feb 15, local residents have the opportunity to see some of the world’s greatest talents battling it out on the pitches of Aspire Academy to be crowned champions.
The Technical meeting with officials from all 12 teams took place yesterday at The Torch hotel, one of the two official accommodation hotels for the tournament, with the other one being Al Aziziya Boutique Hotel. Qatar’s Aspire Academy will add local flavour to the tournament, which was last year won by Paris St. Germain, who now hold the record of being the only team winning three titles.
The other participating teams are Real Madrid (Spain), Kashiwa Reysol (Japan), Rangers FC (Scotland), Raja Club Athletic (Morocco), AS Roma (Italy), FC Bayern München (Germany), Altinordu FK (Turkey), Étoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia), FC Spartak Moscow (Russia) and Suwon Samsung Bluewings (South Korea).
The 2019 edition of the tournament has incorporated several exciting features. For the first time, the video assistant referee (VAR) is going to be used to review decisions made by the head official, with the use of video footage and a headset for communication. Also for the first time, the tournament will feature female referees from all over the world. They are approved by FIFA and will use the 2019 Al Kass International Cup as part of their preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which takes place between this summer in France.
Ward Abdallah, Member of the Organising Committee of the Al Kass International Cup, said: “We are honoured to welcome some of the world’s top youth teams to Qatar to compete in the eighth Al Kass International Cup – a tournament that grants young players an opportunity to showcase and enhance their football skills. Several players who appeared in previous editions of the tournament have gone on to star in the world’s top leagues, and I am sure that Al Kass 2019 will be another showcase for the stars of tomorrow.”
The first day of the tournament provides a taste of the excitement to come. After the opening ceremony, the competition starts with the game between last year’s finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Kashiwa Reysol, taking place on Pitch 5 of Aspire Academy at 4:35pm. In the second match, Qatar’s Aspire Academy faces Raja Club Athletic from Morocco at 6:45pm.
Official tournament sponsor Al Kass TV will broadcast all the games live, with both Arabic and English commentary. Live streaming of all the matches will available on http://internationalcup.alkass.net.
Currently celebrating its eighth year, Al Kass International Cup is organised by Al Kass Sports Channels, in collaboration with Aspire Zone Foundation and the Qatar Football Association. The Under-17 football tournament is a global championship for worldwide competitive clubs.
The Al Kass International Cup has established itself as a key international football event that supports the Qatar National Vision 2030 and contributes to building on the foundations of a proud footballing nation up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and beyond.
Inaugurated in 2012, Al Kass International Cup is an annual tournament that provides some of the world’s choice young footballers the opportunity to demonstrate their ability and skills on the world stage. The tournament also aims to contribute to the nurturing of passion for football in Qatar and the region by offering up a 12-day action-packed competition that seeks to propel Qatar to the forefront of sporting excellence and leadership.
 
The Winners So Far…
2012: Paris Saint-Germain
2013: Fluminense
2014: Aspire Football Dreams
2015: Paris Saint-Germain
2016: Aspire Football Dreams
2017: Real Madrid
2018: Paris Saint-Germain