This is the third time the competition has been held and is now an established institution in the Sunshine State. Bayer 04 are the only team to have played in all three years.
Six teams are competing for the trophy from 8 to 15 January under the motto 'Where clubs become nations'. Germany are represented by the Werkself and the VfL Wolfsburg youth team, Atlético Mineiro and EC Bahia from Brazil are here and the 'USA/Argentina team' is made up of Tampa Bay Rowdies and Estudiantes de La Plata. Every team plays two games and the points are added up for the nations at the end with wins earning three points, draws one plus the chance for an extra point in the final penalty shootout.
Verón’s comeback
Bayer 04 opened the Florida Cup on Sunday (20.00 CET) against Estudiantes de La Plata. The opponents were at the top of the Argentinian league for a long time in the first half of the season but finished fourth in 2016. One particular point of interest: The great Juan Sebastian Verón makes his comeback after promise the fans to face Bayer 04 at the age of 41. Verón has signed an 18-month contract at Estudiantes. The Bayer 04 there are hopes that Karim Bellarabi will also make his comeback. Roger Schmidt is considering giving him time on the pitch in the Florida Cup. The matches were shown live on DAZN and the Bayer 04 Facebook page.
Atlético with Robinho on Wednesday
The second game for the Werkself takes place on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (01.00 CET) in Orlando. Schmidt's team will face and Atlético Mineiro side that includes superstars Robinho, Fred and the former Hoffenheim player Carlos Eduardo.
Two tournaments in one
Following the first round, six other teams will compete for a second Florida Cup from 15 January in a play-off mode. The teams are Corinthians SC, Vasco de Gama, FC São Paulo, Millionarios FC, River Plate from Buenos Aires plus SC Barcelona.
The successor to Sergi Runge as head coach of the Bayer 04 U19 team has been decided. Following the Spaniard's appointment to Kasper Hjulmand's first team coaching staff, the current U17 head coach Kevin Brok (photo) will be responsible for the U19s until the end of the season. As a result, Benjamin Adam will also move up a year and will now coach the U17s instead of the U16s, also until the end of the season. The structure of the coaching and support staff will remain unchanged.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Mainz 05 on matchday 7 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game at the MEWA ARENA is on Saturday, 18 October, with the kick-off at 15.30 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreA floodlit thriller and a home win for head coach Kasper Hjulmand in his first game in charge. Bayer 04 beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 at the start of Bundesliga matchday 3. Alejandro Grimaldo scored with a spectacular free-kick and Patrik Schick with a penalty before the break, and after Frankfurt pulled a goal back, Grimaldo crowned a strong Werkself performance in stoppage time - again with a strike from a free-kick.
Show moreFor the first match under head coach Kasper Hjulmand on Friday night, 12 September (kick-off: 20:30 CEST/live on Sky and WOW), the Werkself welcome an Eintracht Frankfurt side in impressive early form. The Eagles counter-attacking and clinical finishing have stood out in their previous wins this term. Important advice for all fans travelling to and from the match by train: There will be cancellations of S-Bahn services to and from Leverkusen Mitte in both directions. The latest information on tonight’s match.
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