The Youth King's Cup Draw Sets the Final Phase Matchups

Published on January 06, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Image of the Youth King's Cup draw with the pots and club representatives at the Las Rozas Football City.

The Youth King's Cup Draw Sets the Final Phase Matchups

The Las Rozas Football City will be the stage this Wednesday, January 7, for a key event. At 17:30, the draw begins that will outline the map of the 74th edition of the Youth King's Cup, where the 32 qualified clubs will discover their next opponent. This event marks the official starting gun to decide the national champion in this category. ⚽

A Pot Without Seeded Teams Defines the Path

The draw mechanism is pure and does not establish seeded teams, meaning any matchup between the best teams in the national territory can occur from the first round. The clubs, which earned their spot after overcoming the territorial phases, watch with maximum attention. This moment defines the route they must complete to try to win the trophy.

Key Details of the Competition Format:
  • 32 teams participate that overcame the territorial qualifiers.
  • The draw is completely open, without any protection for the clubs.
  • Directors and technical staff analyze each possible rival in detail.
The pure draw system guarantees excitement and uncertainty from the first moment. Any team can face any other.

The Format: Single-Leg Knockouts Until the Final

After knowing the matchups, the competition advances with single-leg knockouts. The winner of each match advances to the next round, a format that rewards effectiveness on a specific day. The grand final is scheduled at a neutral venue, which adds a special character and eliminates any home advantage.

Characteristics of the Final Phase:
  • All rounds are resolved in a single match, without return legs.
  • The final is played at a neutral stadium designated by the federation.
  • The path to the title requires maximum concentration in every ninety minutes.

The Final Countdown for Players and Clubs

While each club's board hopes to avoid the toughest rival, the focus for the youth players shifts. For them, this draw symbolizes the start of the real adventure and a change in routine, moving from just training to competing for a prestigious national title. The excitement to write their name in the tournament's history is the main driving force. 🏆