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Future Cup

{{short description|International youth football tournament}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox football tournament

| name = ABN AMRO Future Cup

| logo =

| caption =

| founded = 2010

| region = Worldwide

| number of teams = 8

| current champions = Ajax (6th title)

| most successful club = Ajax (6 titles)

| broadcasters = ESPN
Eurosport
Ziggo Sport

| motto =

| website = {{Official website|https://www.ajax.nl/future-cup}}

}}

The Future Cup (officially known as the ABN AMRO Future Cup, and previously known as the AEGON Future Cup) is an annual friendly international youth tournament which is organized by the Dutch football club AFC Ajax.{{Cite web|url=http://foxsports.nl/nieuws/125251-anderlecht-winnaar-aegon-future-cup.html |title=Anderlecht winaar AEGON Future Cup |work=Fox Sports |access-date=2013-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130002936/http://foxsports.nl/nieuws/125251-anderlecht-winnaar-aegon-future-cup.html |archive-date=30 November 2014 }} The tournament is created for under-17 youth teams, and is held at De Toekomst, every year during the Easter weekend.{{Cite web|url=http://foxsports.nl/video/124133-paasweekend-in-teken-van-de-aegon-future-cup.html |title=Paasweekend in teken van de AEGON Future Cup |work=Fox Sports|access-date=2013-11-03}} The tournament has been contested by some of the strongest under-17 teams in football, with FC Barcelona, Manchester United and Bayern Munich amongst the participating clubs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.parool.nl/parool/nl/12805/Ajax-Extra/article/detail/3422184/2013/04/08/Leren-staat-centraal-bij-AEGON-Future-Cup.dhtml |title=Leren staat centraal bij AEGON Future Cup |publisher=Parool.nl|access-date=2013-11-03}} The first five editions of the tournament were named after its main sponsor, the insurance company AEGON, before the Dutch state-owned bank ABN AMRO took over as the main sponsor of the event.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajaxshowtime.com/bijzaken-en-geruchten/83503/ajax-introduceert-abn-amro-future-cup.html |title=Ajax introduceert ABN AMRO Future Cup |publisher=AjaxShowtime|access-date=2014-11-20}} The tournament is broadcast on television in over 59 countries via Eredivisie Live, Eurosport and Fox Sports.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajax.nl/Ajax-TV/190509/AEGON-Future-Cup-geopend.htm |title=AEGON Future Cup geopend |publisher=Ajax.nl |access-date=2013-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129081411/http://www.ajax.nl/Ajax-TV/190509/AEGON-Future-Cup-geopend.htm |archive-date=29 November 2014 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajax.nl/Ajax-Nieuws/Ajax-nieuwsarchief/Ajax-nieuwsartikel/184589/AEGON-Future-Cup-wereldwijd-op-tv.htm |title=AEGON Future Cup wereldwijd op TV |publisher=Ajax.nl|access-date=2013-11-03}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/10/sport/football/football-belgium-dembele-world-cup/ |title=2014 World Cup: Is Belgium football's coming force? |date=10 October 2013 |publisher=CNN|access-date=2013-11-03}}

Qualification

8 teams participate in the Future Cup every year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/soccer/post/_/id/7773/fcd-junior-playing-in-aegon-future-cup |title=FC Dallas Juniors Playing in AEGON Future Cup |date=30 March 2010 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=2013-11-03}} Since Ajax are the tournament hosts, they are automatically entered, leaving 7 additional places available in the tournament.{{Cite web|url=http://english.ajax.nl/News/Archive/Article/AEGON-Future-Cup-Ajax-Bayern-Munchen.htm |title=AEGON Future Cup: Ajax & Bayern München |publisher=Ajax.nl |access-date=2013-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511122414/http://english.ajax.nl/News/Archive/Article/AEGON-Future-Cup-Ajax-Bayern-Munchen.htm |archive-date=11 May 2013 }} Six of the spots can be filled with a simple registration of an under-17 team from any club, while national teams are also able to register, such as the China U-17 team did when it competed in the first edition of the competition.{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/south-africa/ajax-finish-fifth-at-future-cup |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131104104438/http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/south-africa/ajax-finish-fifth-at-future-cup |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-11-04 |title=Ajax Cape Town Finish Fifth at Future Cup |publisher=Soccer Laduma |access-date=2013-11-03 }} The eighth and final position is filled by the winners of the Brazilian 'Craques Mongeral AEGON Future Cup – Um Torneio do Ajax' a parallel running competition for under-17 youth teams in South America which shares the same sponsor. The winner of that tournament is automatically seeded for the Future Cup in Amsterdam the next year, completing the 8 participants in the Cup challenge.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mongeralaegonfuturecup.com.br/CMS/index.php/craques-mongeral-aegon |title=Responsabilidade Social no Esporte |publisher=Craques Mongeral Aegon |access-date=2013-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215032655/http://www.mongeralaegonfuturecup.com.br/CMS/index.php/craques-mongeral-aegon |archive-date=15 December 2014 }}

Format

The draw takes place ahead of the last home match of the Ajax first team ahead of the Future Cup.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajax.nl/Ajax-TV/184699/Wim-Jonk-opent-AEGON-Future-Cup.htm |title=Wim Jonk opent AEGON Future Cup |publisher=Ajax.nl |access-date=2013-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129082921/http://www.ajax.nl/Ajax-TV/184699/Wim-Jonk-opent-AEGON-Future-Cup.htm |archive-date=29 November 2014 }} The 8 teams are then divided up into two groups during halftime of this match. The opening ceremony of the tournament takes place on the Friday evening before Easter, while the first matches are played on Holy Saturday. The first two group stage matches are played for each team on this day, while the last two group stage matches are then contested on Easter Sunday.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ajaxlife.nl/updates/ajax-b1-na-drie-zeges-groepswinnaar-op-future-cup |title=Ajax B1 na drie zeges groepswinnaar op Future Cup |publisher=Ajaxlife |access-date=2013-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129034741/http://www.ajaxlife.nl/updates/ajax-b1-na-drie-zeges-groepswinnaar-op-future-cup |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=dead }} The finals are played on Monday, the second Easter day. The day starts with the matches for the 7th and 8th place, which are contested by the two teams who finished bottom of their groups.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontofc.ca/news/aegon-future-cup-wrap |title=Aegon Future Cup Wrap Up |publisher=TorontoFC.ca|access-date=2013-11-03}} Afterwards the two semi-finals are played.{{Cite web|url=http://ajax1.nl/archief/aegon-future-cup-uitslag-van-poulefase/ |title=AEGON Future Cup: Uitslag van Poulefase |date=31 March 2013 |publisher=Ajax1.nl|access-date=2013-11-03}} The group winners of each group compete against the second place team of the other group, and after the two semi-finals the matches for 5th and 6th place are contested against the third place team from each group.{{Cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/3376/goalcom-youth-football/2011/04/25/2457636/anderlecht-defeat-ajax-to-clinch-aegon-future-cup |title=Anderlecht defeat Ajax to clinch Aegon Future Cup |publisher=Goal|access-date=2013-11-03}} The matches for 3rd and 4th place are then contested amongst the losers of the Semi-finals, which is concluded by the Cup final, deciding the 1st and 2nd place.{{Cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/The-Academy/Academy-News/2012/Apr/manchester-united-aegon-future-cup-day-three-in-amsterdam.aspx |title=Young Reds through to final |publisher=manutd.com|access-date=2013-11-03}} The awards and trophies are awarded directly after the Final, at which all teams and coaches are present.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajax.nl/Ajax-Nieuws/Ajax-nieuwsarchief/Ajax-nieuwsartikel/189489/AEGON-Future-Cup-mooi-meetmoment.htm |title=AEGON Future Cup mooi meetmoment |publisher=Ajax.nl|access-date=2013-11-03}}

Finals

Statistics accurate as of ABN AMRO Future Cup 2024. {{Cite web|url=http://ajax.aegon.nl/index.php?id=2&news=990 |title=Uitslagen AEGON Future Cup |publisher=AEGON – Hoofdsponsor van Ajax|access-date=2013-11-03}}

class="wikitable"

! Year

Datewidth=225| WinnerResultwidth=225| Finalist
2024 ABN AMRO Future Cup|20241 April 2024align=right| Ajax {{flagicon|Netherlands}}align=center|2–1{{flagicon|Serbia}} Partizan
2023 ABN AMRO Future Cup|202310 April 2023align=right| Nordsjælland {{flagicon|Denmark}}align=center|3–0{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2020–22align=center|—align=right| –align=center|Cancelled*–
2019 ABN AMRO Future Cup|201922 April 2019align=right| Juventus {{flagicon|Italy}}align=center|2–1{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2018 ABN AMRO Future Cup|20182 April 2018align=right| Ajax {{flagicon|Netherlands}}align=center|2–0{{flagicon|Italy}} Juventus
2017 ABN AMRO Future Cup|201717 April 2017align=right| Ajax {{flagicon|Netherlands}}align=center|2–0{{flagicon|Germany}} Bayern Munich
2016 ABN AMRO Future Cup|201628 March 2016align=right| Arsenal {{flagicon|England}}align=center|0–0 (4-3 pen.){{flagicon|Belgium}} Anderlecht
2015 ABN AMRO Future Cup|20156 April 2015align=right| Anderlecht {{flagicon|Belgium}}align=center|0–0 (4-3 pen.){{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2014 AEGON Future Cup|201421 April 2014align=right| Ajax {{flagicon|Netherlands}}align=center|2–1{{flagicon|England}} Liverpool
2013 AEGON Future Cup|20131 April 2013align=right| Anderlecht {{flagicon|Belgium}}align=center|2–0{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2012 AEGON Future Cup|20129 April 2012align=right| Ajax {{flagicon|Netherlands}}align=center|2–2 (5–3 pen.){{flagicon|England}} Manchester United
2011 AEGON Future Cup|201125 April 2011align=right| Anderlecht {{flagicon|Belgium}}align=center|1–0{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2010 AEGON Future Cup|20105 April 2010align=right| Ajax {{flagicon|Netherlands}}align=center|1–0{{flagicon|China}} China U-17

Prizes

The winner of the Future Cup are obvious winners of the tournament. For this information please see the next segment below. Other prizes are however awarded in conclusion, which are handed out by prominent former and current Ajax members, with Frank de Boer, Martin Jol and Luis Suárez amongst those who have awarded the trophies.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ajax.nl/Ajax-Nieuws/Ajax-nieuwsarchief/Ajax-nieuwsartikel/175911/Klaassen-uitgeroepen-tot-beste-speler.htm |title=Klaassen uitgeroepen tot beste speler |publisher=Ajax.nl|access-date=2013-11-03}} The man of the tournament is selected and awarded the adidas Best player of ABN AMRO Future Cup award. Below is a list of the prize winners over the years:

class="toccolours" style="margin: 0 2em 0 2em;"

! bgcolor=DDDDDD |Year

bgcolor=DDDDDD |Playerbgcolor=DDDDDD |Club:
2024{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Jinairo Johnson{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2023{{flagicon|Denmark}} Villum Berthelsen{{flagicon|Denmark}} Nordsjælland
2019{{flagicon|Belgium}} Anouar Ait El Hadj{{flagicon|Belgium}} Anderlecht
2018{{flagicon|Turkey}} Naci Ünüvar{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2017{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ryan Gravenberch{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2016{{flagicon|Spain}} Riqui Puig{{flagicon|Spain}} Barcelona
2015{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Matthijs de Ligt{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2014{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Abdelhak Nouri{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2013{{flagicon|Belgium}} Nabil Jaadi{{flagicon|Belgium}} Anderlecht
2012{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Queensy Menig{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
2011{{flagicon|Belgium}} Dennis Praet{{flagicon|Belgium}} Anderlecht
2010{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Davy Klaassen{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax

Every year the prize adidas Top Scorer of ABN AMRO Future Cup is awarded to the top-scorer of the tournament. Since the 2023 tournament, the award has been renamed the Noah Gesser Trophy in honour of the U16 Ajax talent who had died in a car accident in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajax.nl/artikelen/liveblog-future-cup-dag-3/# |title=FC Nordsjælland wint Future Cup |publisher=Ajax.nl|access-date=2023-04-10}} Below is a list of the top-scorers for each year:

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year

! class="unsortable"|Topscorer

! class="unsortable"|Club

! Goals

2024

|{{flagicon|Portugal}} Rafael Camacho
{{flagicon|France}} Oumar Camara
{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Jinairo Johnson
{{flagicon|England}} Divine Mukasa
{{flagicon|Serbia}} Lazar Radosavljević

|{{flagicon|Portugal}} Sporting CP
{{flagicon|France}} Paris Saint-German
{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
{{flagicon|England}} Manchester City
{{flagicon|Serbia}} Partizan

|align=center|3

2023

|{{flagicon|Switzerland}} Winsley Boteli

|{{flagicon|Germany}} Borussia Mönchengladbach

|align=center|4

2019

|{{flagicon|Belgium}} Anouar Ait El Hadj

|{{flagicon|Belgium}} Anderlecht

|align=center|4

2018

|{{flagicon|Turkey}} Naci Ünüvar

|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax

|align=center|5

2014

|{{flagicon|England}} Oluwaseyi Ojo
{{flagicon|Wales}} Harry Wilson

|{{flagicon|England}} Liverpool

|align=center|4

2013

|{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} Václav Černý
{{flagicon|Belgium}} Aaron Leya Iseka

|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
{{flagicon|Belgium}} Anderlecht

|align=center|3

2012

|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Elton Acolatse
{{flagicon|Brazil}} Ademir Candido
{{flagicon|Italy}} Marco Pinato
{{flagicon|Turkey}} Alperen Doğan

|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
{{flagicon|Brazil}} Desportivo
{{flagicon|Italy}} Milan
{{flagicon|Turkey}} Beşiktaş JK

|align=center|3

2011

|{{flagicon|South Africa}} Nicholas Pasifakis
{{flagicon|United States}} Patrick Foss

|{{flagicon|South Africa}} Ajax Cape Town
{{flagicon|United States}} D.C. United

|align=center|4

2010

|{{flagicon|Germany}} Dominik Goßner

|{{flagicon|Germany}} Bayern Munich

|align=center|6

Statistics

=Appearances and best results=

Statistics accurate as of ABN AMRO Future Cup 2024.

class="wikitable sortable"

! Nr.

! width=200|Club

! width=45|Apps

! width=45|First App.

! width=200|Best result

rowspan=5 align=right|1.{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajaxalign=center|12align=center|2010rowspan=5| Winners
| {{flagicon|Belgium}} Anderlechtalign=center|12align=center|2010
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Juventusalign=center|5align=center|2015
| {{flagicon|England}} Arsenalalign=center|2align=center|2016
| {{flagicon|Denmark}} Nordsjællandalign=center|2align=center|2023
rowspan=5 align=right|2.{{flagicon|Germany}} Bayern Munichalign=center|4align=center|2010rowspan=5| Runners-up
| {{flagicon|China}} China U-17align=center|2align=center|2010
| {{flagicon|England}} Liverpoolalign=center|2align=center|2010
| {{flagicon|England}} Manchester Unitedalign=center|1align=center|2012
| {{flagicon|Serbia}} Partizanalign=center|1align=center|2024
rowspan=6 align=right|3.{{flagicon|France}} Paris Saint-Germanalign=center|5align=center|2017rowspan=6| Third place
| {{flagicon|Spain}} Barcelonaalign=center|4align=center|2010
| {{flagicon|Portugal}} Benficaalign=center|4align=center|2013
| {{flagicon|Italy}} Milanalign=center|3align=center|2010
| {{flagicon|Japan}} J. League U-17align=center|2align=center|2017
| {{flagicon|Portugal}} Portoalign=center|1align=center|2015
rowspan=4 align=right|4.{{flagicon|Portugal}} Sporting CPalign=center|2align=center|2018rowspan=4| Fourth place
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} Fluminensealign=center|1align=center|2011
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} São Pauloalign=center|1align=center|2013
| {{flagicon|Spain}} Atlético Madridalign=center|1align=center|2019
rowspan=6 align=right|5.{{flagicon|Scotland}} Celticalign=center|3align=center|2011rowspan=6| Fifth place
| {{flagicon|South Africa}} Ajax Cape Townalign=center|2align=center|2011
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} Desportivo Brasilalign=center|1align=center|2012
| {{flagicon|Australia}} Sydney FCalign=center|1align=center|2018
| {{flagicon|Argentina}} Boca Juniorsalign=center|1align=center|2019
| {{flagicon|Germany}} Borussia Mönchengladbachalign=center|1align=center|2023
rowspan=6 align=right|6.{{flagicon|England}} Tottenham Hotspuralign=center|2align=center|2013rowspan=6| Sixth place
| {{flagicon|United States}} D.C. Unitedalign=center|1align=center|2011
| {{flagicon|Canada}} Toronto FCalign=center|1align=center|2013
| {{flagicon|Turkey}} Galatasarayalign=center|1align=center|2015
| {{flagicon|Ghana}} Right to Dreamalign=center|1align=center|2016
| {{flagicon|England}} Manchester Cityalign=center|1align=center|2024
rowspan=7 align=right|7.{{flagicon|Turkey}} Beşiktaş JKalign=center|1align=center|2012rowspan=7| Seventh place
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} Corinthiansalign=center|1align=center|2014
| {{flagicon|Germany}} Schalke 04align=center|1align=center|2015
| {{flagicon|Austria}} Red Bull Salzburgalign=center|1align=center|2016
| {{flagicon|Spain}} Sevilla FCalign=center|1align=center|2018
| {{flagicon|Japan}} Sagan Tosualign=center|1align=center|2019
| {{flagicon|England}} Chelseaalign=center|1align=center|2023
rowspan=4 align=right|8.{{flagicon|Mexico}} Pachucaalign=center|2align=center|2023rowspan=4| Eighth place
| {{flagicon|United States}} FC Dallasalign=center|1align=center|2010
| {{flagicon|Turkey}} Fenerbahçealign=center|1align=center|2014
| {{flagicon|Greece}} Olympiacosalign=center|1align=center|2016

=All-time cup winners=

class="toccolours" style="margin: 0 2em 0 2em;"

! bgcolor=DDDDDD |Cups

bgcolor=DDDDDD |Clubbgcolor=DDDDDD |In:
6{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax2010, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2024
3{{flagicon|Belgium}} Anderlecht2011, 2013, 2015
1{{flagicon|Denmark}} Nordsjælland2023
1{{flagicon|Italy}} Juventus2019
1{{flagicon|England}} Arsenal2016

=All-time top-scorers=

Statistics accurate as of AEGON Future Cup 2024.

class="wikitable"
valign=top

! Nr.

! width=200|Player

! width=190|Nationality

! width=45|Goals

! width=190|Club

valign=top

| align=right|1.

Naci Ünüvar{{TUR}}align=center|7Ajax
align=right|2.Dominik Goßner{{GER}}align=center|6Bayern Munich
valign=top

| rowspan=6 align=right|3.

Winsley Boteli{{SUI}}align=center|4Borussia Mönchengladbach
| Anouar Ait El Hadj{{BEL}}align=center|4Anderlecht
| Nicholas Pasifakis{{RSA}}align=center|4Ajax Cape Town
| Patrick Foss{{USA}}align=center|4D.C. United
| Oluwaseyi Ojo{{ENG}}align=center|4Liverpool
| Harry Wilson{{WAL}}align=center|4Liverpool
valign=top

| rowspan=11 align=right|9.

Václav Černý{{CZE}}align=center|3Ajax
| Aaron Leya Iseka{{BEL}}align=center|3Anderlecht
| Elton Acolatse{{NED}}align=center|3Ajax
| Ademir Candido{{BRA}}align=center|3Desportivo Brasil
| Marco Pinato{{ITA}}align=center|3Milan
| Alperen Doğan{{TUR}}align=center|3Beşiktaş JK
| Rafael Camacho{{POR}}align=center|3Sporting CP
| Oumar Camara{{FRA}}align=center|3Paris Saint-German
| Jinairo Johnson{{NED}}align=center|3Ajax
| Divine Mukasa{{ENG}}align=center|3Manchester City
| Lazar Radosavljević{{SRB}}align=center|3Partizan

=Participation by country=

The under-17 youth teams of the following clubs have participated in the Future Cup tournament in the past.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

{{col-3}}

  • France
  • {{flagicon|France}} Paris Saint-Germain
  • 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024
  • Germany
  • {{flagicon|Germany}} Bayern Munich
  • 2010, 2013, 2017, 2018
  • {{flagicon|Germany}} Borussia Mönchengladbach
  • 2023
  • {{flagicon|Germany}} Schalke 04
  • 2015
  • Ghana
  • {{flagicon|Ghana}} Right to Dream
  • 2016
  • Greece
  • {{flagicon|Greece}} Olympiacos
  • 2016
  • Italy
  • {{flagicon|Italy}} Juventus
  • 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023
  • {{flagicon|Italy}} Milan
  • 2010, 2012, 2014
  • Japan
  • {{flagicon|Japan}} J. League U-17
  • 2017, 2018
  • {{flagicon|Japan}} Sagan Tosu
  • 2019
  • Mexico
  • {{flagicon|Mexico}} Pachuca
  • 2023, 2024
  • Netherlands
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ajax
  • 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024
  • Portugal
  • {{flagicon|Portugal}} Benfica
  • 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019
  • {{flagicon|Portugal}} Porto
  • 2015
  • {{flagicon|Portugal}} Sporting CP
  • 2018, 2024
  • Scotland
  • {{flagicon|Scotland}} Celtic
  • 2011, 2014, 2015

{{col-3}}

{{col-end}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|http://www.amsterdamarena.nl/en/}} {{in lang|nl|en}}

{{AFC Ajax}}

{{Football in the Netherlands}}

{{Friendly association football tournaments in the Netherlands}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Use British English|date=April 2025}}

Category:AFC Ajax

Category:Dutch football friendly trophies

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2010

Category:2010 establishments in the Netherlands