On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the world’s eyes turned to Mexico City as the iconic Estadio Azteca hosted the grand opening ceremony for the 23rd FIFA World Cup. The event, featuring global superstars like Shakira, J Balvin, and Andrea Bocelli, marked the beginning of the largest World Cup in history with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The celebrations spanned three nations, with the USA and Canada hosting their own spectacular opening ceremonies the following day.

Yet, thousands of kilometers away, the spirit of the game was being celebrated just as vibrantly. Krasnoyarsk’s Central Stadium became the beating heart of Russian youth football, hosting the anniversary COPA JUNIOR 2026 festival from June 11 to June 14. This largest children’s football festival in Russia served as a powerful, joyful echo of the global tournament getting underway in North America.

Courtesy of the Press Service of Russia – Land of Opportunity​

The scale of the celebration in Krasnoyarsk was truly impressive. The festival brought together around 3000 young footballers aged 4 to 15 from over 40 regions of Russia, all dreaming of glory on the pitch. The atmosphere was electric, transforming the stadium into a vibrant hub of sportsmanship and friendship.

What made this 10th anniversary edition even more special was its theme: the BRICS nations tournament. Each team was assigned a BRICS country, receiving jerseys and decorating their team tents in national styles, creating a truly international ambiance that mirrored the multicultural spirit of the World Cup.

The connection to the World Cup in North America wasn’t just thematic; it was deeply heartfelt. As the global tournament kicked off in Mexico City, the young athletes in Krasnoyarsk felt a palpable sense of belonging to the worldwide football family. “Our goal is to host a festival where every child feels part of a big football family,” said Andrey Kolomeets, the festival's organizer, a finalist for the "Russia – Land of Opportunity" award in the "Sports and Street Culture" category.

The festival blended elite inspiration with pure fun. Visitors were treated to a charity gala match, which saw "Stars of Siberia" take on a team of children's coaches. The match featured Alexey Bugaev, a 2026 Paralympic champion, former FC Yenisey players, and a special appearance in goal from Vasily Frolov, the grandson of legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin. It continued with autograph sessions, lectures, and masterclasses from representatives of top Russian clubs like Spartak, Dynamo, Rubin, and Zenit, alongside an interactive entertainment ground for all attendees.

The COPA JUNIOR festival in Krasnoyarsk was a resounding success, celebrating the beautiful game in the best way possible. As the world’s best players battle for the golden trophy on the international stage, we saw in Krasnoyarsk the future stars of football — happy, determined, and playing with pure hearts. We are incredibly proud that our city could host such a magnificent celebration of sport, unity, and childhood dreams!

Courtesy of the Press Service of Russia – Land of Opportunity​