DALLAS, Texas (Thursday, Apr. 18) – The Dallas Cup, the oldest and most prestigious international youth soccer tournament in North America, has announced an exciting development for girls' youth soccer. The Dallas Cup Girls Invitational and the Dallas Texans International Girls Cup, which both recently concluded in the Greater Dallas area, are proud to announce their merger under the esteemed banner and operational control of the Dallas Cup. This union marks a significant milestone in the realm of international girls' tournaments, positioning the Dallas Cup Girls Invitational for unparalleled growth and inclusivity in elite youth soccer.
The decision to merge was reached through collaborative discussions between the leadership teams of both tournaments, reflecting a shared vision for advancing the opportunities available to young female athletes worldwide. Under the stewardship of the Dallas Cup, the newly combined tournament will inherit the rich legacy of both competitions while forging a path toward greater accessibility and excellence in girls' soccer. John Sutter, President of the Dallas Cup Board of Directors, expressed the significance of this merger. "Since its inception in 1980, Dallas Cup has been synonymous with elite competition, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement. With the integration of the Dallas Texans International Girls Cup, we are fulfilling a crucial initiative to provide young female athletes with the same platform for excellence that our boys' teams have enjoyed for more than four decades. This merger represents a pivotal moment in our commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowering the next generation of female soccer stars." The Dallas Texans International Girls Cup started in 2012 and grew to more than 260 girls teams at the 2024 edition. The tournament has showcased elite teams not only from various regions of the United States, but has also welcomed international competitors from England, Mexico, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Colombia, South Africa, Ukraine, Canada, and other parts of the globe, further solidifying its reputation as a premier international event in youth soccer. Sutter remarked on the international allure of the tournament. “The Dallas Cup has long embraced the motto of 'Welcome World,' reflecting our dedication to fostering a truly global experience. We are thrilled to merge with a tournament that shares our commitment to international excellence and cultural exchange. We aim to elevate the collective experience for players, coaches, and fans alike, while celebrating the diversity of talent that defines our game.” Acknowledging the foundational role played by Dallas Texans International Girls Cup, John Sutter extended gratitude to key figures, including Dallas Texans’ founder and Executive Director, Hassan Nazari, and Texans’ President, Paul Stewart, for their unwavering support and cooperation throughout the merger process. Their collective efforts, alongside the dedication of all involved parties, underscore the shared commitment to advancing girls' soccer on a global scale. “We started the Dallas Texans International Girls Cup because we wanted to give girls the same great international tournament experience that boys were getting through the Dallas Cup,” said Texans President Paul Stewart. “Our focus as a nonprofit youth development organization is always on how we can add to the soccer and life experience of our players. Since the Dallas Cup has decided to add a girls component, we believe that merging our efforts and moving forward under the outstanding leadership of the Dallas Cup will provide the best possible experience for the girls. The Texans’ deep respect for the Dallas Cup and our longstanding great relationship with John Sutter made the merger an easy process.” The newly revitalized Dallas Cup Girls Invitational reflects a proactive approach to meeting the evolving goals of the Dallas Cup and nurturing the growth of girls' soccer at all levels. The forthcoming 2025 edition of the tournament is scheduled from April 12 to April 20. Details regarding the format and locations of the new-look Dallas Cup Girls Invitational will be unveiled soon.
Fans and teams alike can learn more about the tournament by visiting www.DallasCup.org or following us on social media @dallascup.