by Nina Vaclavikova
interview: Elisa Lodi, City Councilor for Sports Policy, Municipality of Trieste; Ermes Canciani, President, Regional Committee of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italian Football Federation – National Amateur League (F.I.G.C.–Lega Nazionale Dilettanti)
An international under-15 soccer tournament bringing together teams from Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia will take place from February 4 to April 22, 2026, reinforcing cross-border cooperation through youth sport in the northern Adriatic region.
The third edition of the Senza Confini (“Without Borders”) tournament is organized by the Trieste Provincial Delegation of the Italian Football Federation’s National Amateur League (F.I.G.C.–L.N.D.), in partnership with the Slovenian Football Association of Koper and the Istrian Football Association of Pula.
Nine teams will compete, with three clubs representing each country. Matches in the qualifying phase will be played exclusively against teams from other nations in single-leg fixtures, both home and away. The highest-ranked team from each country will advance to a final three-team round, scheduled for April 22 and hosted by the Trieste-based finalist.
The tournament was presented this week at Palazzo Gopcevich in Trieste. Speaking at the event, Elisa Lodi, Trieste’s city councillor for sports policy, and Ermes Canciani, president of the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional committee of the F.I.G.C.–Lega Nazionale Dilettanti, emphasized the tournament’s role in providing international competitive experience for young players.
Organizers also announced the launch of a new Senza Confini Under-17 women’s tournament, set to take place in May 2026, with one team from each participating country.
Now in its third edition, the Senza Confini tournament has become a regular fixture on the regional youth football calendar, highlighting sport as a tool for cross-border exchange and cooperation.
