LOGAN — A group of young soccer players from Northern Utah recently returned home after representing their community on the world stage at the 2025 Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Gothia Cup opening ceremony
The Northern Utah United (NUU) 2011 boys team competed in the Gothia Cup—the largest international youth soccer tournament in the world—with more than 1,900 teams from 74 countries participating this year.
The tournament, held annually since 1975, has become a global celebration of youth, culture and sport. For the NUU athletes, the trip was about much more than soccer.
“The Gothia Cup is truly a unique event that embodies the power of sport to unite young people from all corners of the world,” said Jeff Ginn, director of coaching for Northern Utah United. “Our team not only competed at a high level but also made incredible memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.”
During the trip, the team toured cultural and historical sites across Denmark and Sweden, enriching their experience beyond the field.
On the pitch, NUU faced challenging competition, squaring off against youth teams from Denmark, Sweden, Brazil, Spain and California. The matches offered valuable international exposure and fostered a spirit of sportsmanship and global camaraderie.
According to a release, the team expressed its gratitude to the Gothia Cup organizers for providing a platform that blends competition, personal development and international understanding.
Northern Utah United, based in Cache Valley, emphasizes skill development, confidence-building and life skills like leadership and resilience through its soccer programs.