Menicon Co., Ltd. (Head Office: 3-21-19 Aoi, Naka-ku, Nagoya; President, CEO: Yasushi Kawaura) will serve as the special sponsor of the 'Menicon Cup 2026 Japan Club Youth Soccer East-West Match (U-15)', to be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Mie Kotsu G Sports no Mori Suzuka Soccer & Rugby Field.
The Menicon Cup is an all-star match featuring U-15 (middle school age) players and is one of Japan’s premier youth soccer tournaments, having produced numerous players who went on to represent Japan in the World Cup and play in the J-League. The 32nd edition of the tournament will be held in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, with former Japanese national team player Yoichiro Kakitani returning as a special guest for the second consecutive year.
This year, on-site attendance will be limited to invited guests and related personnel only. The event will be fully live-streamed online via X, YouTube Live, and SPORTS BULL—an internet sports media platform operated by Sports Bull Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Atago East Building 13F, 3-16-11 Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yusuke Wakamura). We encourage fans to enjoy the match through the online broadcast. Please note that, due to rising temperatures in recent years and for the safety of players and spectators, the kickoff time has been moved forward to 11:00 a.m., earlier than in previous years.
Menicon has long supported the challenges of the younger generation under its corporate philosophy of 'contributing broadly to society through providing better vision.' The Menicon Cup is a flagship initiative embodying this mission.
The appeal of soccer lies not only in scoring goals but also in players’ ability to read the game with wide vision, cooperate with teammates, and give their all for the team. The athletes participating in this tournament exemplify these values. Since the inaugural event in 1995, Menicon has served as a special sponsor, driven by a desire to support young athletes’ dreams. We look forward to seeing future stars emerge from the Menicon Cup stage, destined to shine both domestically and internationally.
Special Guest: Former Japanese National Team Player Yoichiro Kakitani
To help energize the event, former Japanese national team player Yoichiro Kakitani, who retired from professional play in 2025 and now works as a soccer commentator and television personality, will appear as a special guest. He will serve as a commentator during the Menicon Cup’s web broadcast on the day of the event. Don’t miss his expert insights from a top-level player’s perspective.
Yoichiro Kakitani ©︎B.F.C
Cheer On via Live Streaming!
The Menicon Cup will be live-streamed nationwide via X, YouTube Live, and SPORTS BULL. The 2025 edition recorded 265,241 views (from July 1 to September 30, 2025), with many fans enjoying the match online.
Please note that no tickets will be sold for this year’s event, and attendance remains by invitation only. We encourage everyone to enjoy the match via live streaming.
SPORTS BULL: https://sportsbull.jp/live/menicon-cup/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@meniconcup323
X: https://x.com/meniconcup
Many Past Participants Have Become Japanese National Team Players
The Menicon Cup has featured numerous players who later became members of the Japanese national team, including Ritsu Doan and Yuki Soma. The tournament is widely recognized as a launchpad for future talent and a key stage for nurturing the next generation of Japanese soccer stars.
Menicon Cup 2025
Menicon Cup 2026 Official Website
https://www.menicon.co.jp/company/culture/cup/
[Menicon Cup 2026 Tournament Overview]
Tournament Name
Menicon Cup 2026 Japan Club Youth Soccer East-West Match (U-15)
Organizers
Japan Football Association (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) Japan Club Youth Football Federation (General Foundation)
Chunichi Shimbun
Host
Mie Prefectural Football Association (General Incorporated Association)
Supporters
Japan Professional Football League (J.League), Mie Prefecture, Suzuka City, Mie Prefectural Board of Education
Suzuka City Board of Education, National Newspaper Business Council
Special Sponsor
Menicon Co., Ltd.
Sponsors
PUMA® / Molten Corporation / Suntory Beverage & Food Solutions Company Limited
Date & Time
September 13, 2026 (Sunday) / Kickoff at 11:00 a.m.
Venue
Main Field, Mie Kotsu G Sports no Mori Suzuka Soccer & Rugby Field (1669 Miwaso-cho, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture)
Match Format
Two 40-minute halves, no extra time; penalty shootout in case of a draw
Participants
Top players selected from teams participating in the '41st Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-15)' and the 'JCY Inter-City Trim Cup (U-15)' will be divided into East and West teams based on their club’s location.
● Regional Division
<EAST> Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Hokuriku-Shinetsu regions
<WEST> Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu regions
● Player Eligibility
Players registered as Category 3 with the Japan Football Association and belonging to teams affiliated with the Japan Club Youth Football Federation, meeting the following criteria:
- Not double-registered with other club teams or middle school soccer clubs.
- Born between April 2, 2011, and April 1, 2014.
● Player Selection Date
After the final match of the 41st Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-15) on August 24, 2026
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: Event