Simon Hewitt, Head of Football Operations MENA, City Football Group and Tournament Director of Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup, discusses youth football in the Middle East
Youth tournaments shape far more than future athletes. They build confidence, community and lifelong memories, while giving young players a chance to experience football on a truly global stage. Few events in the region capture that spirit as powerfully as the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup. Now preparing for its biggest edition yet, the tournament has grown into one of the most anticipated youth football gatherings in the Middle East, welcoming teams from around the world and celebrating the joy of the game.
At the centre of it is Simon Hewitt, Head of Football Operations MENA for City Football Group and Tournament Director of the Abu Dhabi Cup. With a deep understanding of both player development and event vision, he oversees a platform that blends competition, culture and inspiration for children and families alike.
Here, he shares how the tournament has evolved, why inclusion remains a driving force, and what the future holds for youth football in the region.
The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup kicks off this month. Tell us a little about the event and what it means to see the tournament reach its biggest edition yet.
The 2026 Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup will be the seventh edition and will be staged between January 9th to 11th. Since its launch, the tournament has gone from strength to strength and is now established as the biggest and best youth football tournament in the Middle East for boys and girls.
The demand from teams around the world has always been high, which is why we decided to expand the upcoming Abu Dhabi Cup to three days for the first time, so we can accommodate more teams and host more matches. By adding an extra day, 2026 will be a record-breaking tournament, and we look forward to welcoming more than 244 teams from 21 countries around the world, across age groups from under-8 to under-16s. To see our biggest line-up playing in the Manchester City Abu Dhabi is a testament to how far the tournament has come, and it will be great to see so many young boys and girls showcase their talent and test themselves on a big stage against local, regional, and international sides.
The Abu Dhabi Cup has always been about more than competition. How important is it for City Football Group to create an experience that blends football, culture and community for young players and their families?
When we start planning the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup every year, we not only look to host a world-class football tournament but also turn it into a festival that players, coaches, families and spectators can enjoy. We will see more than 7,000 people in the Tournament Village over the weekend, and they will be able to take part in a wide range of activations, entertainment, and cultural experiences. International teams can also learn more about Abu Dhabi’s culture, heritage, and hospitality as they explore the City and its attractions during downtime.
One of the standout milestones this year is the record number of girls’ teams taking part. Why is increasing access and visibility for girls in football such a critical focus for you and for City Football Group more broadly?
Girls’ football has grown enormously in the last few years with greater exposure of the professional game and more opportunities for girls to play at recreational and competitive levels around the world. We are set to welcome 44 girls’ teams, which is another record for us. This number keeps growing year-on-year and is a key commitment for us to give more opportunities to girls so they can play in international tournaments like this one, and hopefully follow in the footsteps of the professional stars.
For City Football Group in the Middle East, we are dedicated to enhancing the experience for female players. We have more than 250 girls on our City Football Schools programmes which are overseen by our female coaching team at venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman while also entering them in competitions in the UAE, the wider Middle East, and internationally to challenge themselves further.
We also open opportunities for other girls to get involved. For example, last year, when Manchester City Women’s First-Team visited Abu Dhabi, we held a Girls’ Open Day where teams from across the Emirate competed in a fun tournament, took part in free training sessions, and met the professional players and watched them train. These opportunities provide unforgettable moments, and we hope these experiences can inspire them along their footballing journey.
How do tournaments like this help shift perceptions around girls’ participation in sport in the region, and what long-term impact do you hope this has on future generations?
It shows that the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup is an inclusive tournament, as it has always been since its first edition. We have provided opportunities for girls to play football and be part of a global stage. With girls playing football, we hope that other girls are inspired by what they see, follow in their footsteps, and get involved in the game we all love.
From your perspective, why is it so important for children to engage in sport from a young age, not just for athletic development but for confidence, teamwork and life skills?
It is so important that children are active from a young age, as these activities can help them stay happy and healthy, and also make new friends in the process. Playing football is a great learning experience, as it is a team sport, allowing players to work together and communicate – skills that help them in the real world while also shaping them into confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals.
The UAE continues to invest heavily in sports infrastructure. How do world-class facilities elevate youth tournaments and inspire young players to dream bigger?
Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City, which is one of the premier sporting facilities in the UAE, has been the home of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup since it began, and has played a big part in the tournament’s success so far. Their infrastructure is world-class, with their team going the extra mile to ensure the grass pitches are of the highest standard as part of a fun and safe environment. It is always great to see the excitement of young boys and girls who are impressed with the facilities and cannot wait to play at the Cup.
City Football Group operates across multiple continents. How does bringing global football standards to Abu Dhabi help nurture local talent while also strengthening international sporting connections?
At City Football Schools, we follow the philosophy and training programme of the Manchester City Academy. As such, all of our coaches in the UAE who deliver sessions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman are trained at the Manchester City Academy in the UK, meaning everyone employed understands the football club’s philosophy and can deliver the right methodology to the children. Our primary goal is to continue providing high-quality environments where children can develop, stay active, and enjoy football. It is important for us that children have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. We have players from 3 to 18 years old, and we provide pathways for all of them. Whether they simply want to enjoy football with their friends or have professional ambitions, we have programmes in place to meet their needs.
For one of the winning teams, the opportunity to train at one of City Football Group’s clubs is truly life-changing. What impact do experiences like this have on young players’ motivation and belief in their potential?
This is what makes the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup different from other youth tournaments. One lucky winning team will get the opportunity to train at a City Football Group club and watch the first team of that club in action. We understand that winning a trophy is a big achievement, but visiting and training at a professional club’s facility is a lifelong memory. These are unforgettable experiences that everyone will cherish, and, more importantly, encourage and inspire them to continue their own footballing journey.
Looking ahead, how do you see youth football in the region evolving, particularly when it comes to inclusion, girls’ pathways and access to elite-level experiences?
I believe there’s a bright future for youth football in the region. We are seeing more boys and girls play the game every week, and, more importantly, play with smiles on their faces. Youth football is a key platform for developing the stars of tomorrow, not only to engage in the sport but also to help them become the best they can be as young people. For both boys and girls, the opportunities to play, learn, and develop have never been better – and that is only going to improve in the coming years. It is an incredibly exciting time to be a part of football, and we are very fortunate to work with these young players on a weekly basis and watch their progression first-hand.
The 2026 edition of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup youth football tournament will kick off on Friday, January 9, at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.
