Dallas Cup Announces Referee Development Partnership with U.S. Soccer, Expands Player Development Through Soccer Forward Foundation

DALLAS, Texas (Tuesday, Mar. 24) – Dallas Cup, the oldest and most prestigious international youth soccer tournament in North America, has announced a new strategic partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation to implement a comprehensive referee development program at the 2026 Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola. The agreement further elevates the tournament’s role as a global platform for the game’s next generation of referee talent.

Through this agreement, U.S. Soccer will bring a fully integrated officiating development structure to Dallas Cup, led by the U.S. Referee Academy and supported by its United Officials program and Women’s Initiative. The program will create a high-performance environment for top match officials, combining elite match assignments with structured coaching, observation, and performance review.

A traveling group of approximately 55 participants, including 42 match officials, coaches, and operational staff, will take part in the program.

Referees will be assigned across top-level matches throughout the tournament, including the prestigious Gordon Jago Super Group, and will participate in daily coaching sessions featuring live observation, targeted feedback, and structured nightly reviews.

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In addition to referee development, Dallas Cup will also host a player-focused initiative through U.S. Soccer’s Soccer Forward Foundation.

The Kang Women’s Institute, a part of the Soccer Forward Foundation, will lead a series of interactive workshops for female athletes competing in the 2026 Dallas Cup, offering a unique opportunity for players to engage in off-field development centered around leadership, confidence, and personal growth.

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The workshops are designed to create a collaborative environment where players can connect, share experiences, and gain access to resources that support their long-term development both on and off the pitch.

Together, these initiatives reinforce Dallas Cup’s position as a leader in global soccer development—providing a world-class platform not only for elite players, but also for referees who support the game.

The 2026 Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola will be played March 29 – April 5, featuring more than 490 elite boys and girls teams from around the world competing for the iconic Boot & Ball trophy. Fans and teams can learn more about the tournament and buy tickets by visiting www.DallasCup.org.

About Soccer Forward: The Soccer Forward Foundation is a key driver in U.S. Soccer’s overall vision that soccer is a force for good. Operating with the belief that soccer contributes to healthier and more connected, equitable communities, Soccer Forward supports U.S. Soccer’s efforts to expand access to the sport, helping the game reach more people and create lasting change. Soccer Forward focuses on enabling and equipping people, places and programs to grow the game in communities across America and on delivering cutting-edge research, training, and guidelines to prove soccer’s contribution to health outcomes in communities. In addition, it will develop standards and provide business and technical support to build the ecosystem for the women’s game across the U.S. and globally. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/soccer-forward.