FC Basel 1893 defeats reigning champion VfB Stuttgart to win the Mercedes-Benz JuniorCup 2026

• FC Basel 1893 defeats VfB Stuttgart in the final with 4:1 and wins the Mercedes-Benz JuniorCup 2026
• Matheos Tsigkas (VfB Stuttgart) is named best player of the tournament
• Nico Willig is inducted into the Hall of Fame

At the Mercedes-Benz JuniorCup on January 10 and 11, 2026, the world's greatest football talents once again competed against each other at the Glaspalast in Sindelfingen. In the final, FC Basel 1893 prevailed against VfB Stuttgart and won the 34^th edition of the historic tournament. Third place went to SK Rapid Vienna. Matheos Tsigkas (VfB Stuttgart) was named the best player of the tournament, while Julian Schmutz (FC Basel 1893) was voted the best goalkeeper.

The rankings for the Mercedes-Benz JuniorCup 2026:

Match for 7th place: 1. FC Cologne : São Paulo FC 2:0

Match for 5th place: Bayer 04 Leverkusen : FC Bayern Munich 5:3 (after penalties)

Match for 3rd place: Odense BK : SK Rapid Vienna 1:2

Final: VfB Stuttgart : FC Basel 1893 1:4

"As a former professional footballer, I know how special these youth tournaments are. The Mercedes-Benz JuniorCup provides an exciting and emotional environment in which young talents can grow."
Cacau, former German national player and patron of the Mercedes-Benz JuniorCup

"Football is more than just a game. The Mercedes-Benz JuniorCup is also more than just a tournament - it's a stage for starting great careers. Anyone standing on the sidelines watching young talents play can feel how this sport shapes them: through passion, team spirit and the unconditional will to get better every day. It is precisely this power of sport that drives us - today and in the future."
Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Sales & Customer Experience

"Promoting young talent is particularly important to us. Once again, the JuniorCup has demonstrated the tremendous team spirit, enthusiasm and solidarity that characterise this tournament. It was a unique atmosphere - on and off the pitch."
Sara Gielen, Head of Production at Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen Plant and Site Manager

During the tournament, Nico Willig, coach of VfB Stuttgart II, was inducted into the JuniorCup Hall of Fame. Mercedes-Benz is honouring his outstanding achievements in youth development. He has coached numerous youth teams and won the Mercedes-Benz JuniorCup with the VfB Stuttgart U19s in the past two years. He has been coaching the VfB U21 team in the 3rd division since this season.

A total of nine Mercedes-Benz locations competed against each other in the parallel apprentice tournament. This year, teams from Sindelfingen, Untertürkheim, Rastatt, Berlin/Ludwigsfelde, Hamburg, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Germersheim and the headquarters competed against each other. In the final, Plant Bremen won 3:1 against Plant Untertürkheim. Third place went to Plant Rastatt.

Since 1991, the Mercedes-Benz JuniorCup has established itself as a renowned U19 professional tournament. Every year, top national and international talent competes in the Sindelfingen Glaspalast. Many world stars have showcased their talent here in the past, including German national team players Manuel Neuer, Sami Khedira, Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sané.