The Leyte Association of Organized Sports Football Club boys’ and girls’ teams get to compete in the world’s largest youth soccer tournament starting July 25
MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos have yet to make it to the FIFA World Cup, but young Filipino footballers will get to join the Norway Cup 2026, dubbed as the world’s largest youth soccer tournament.
The Leyte Association of Organized Sports Football Club (LAOS FC) is sending boys’ and girls’ teams to the Norway Cup in Oslo in 2026, from July 25 to August 1, courtesy of the Gokongwei Group’s Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC).
Both squads will compete in the Under-19 category, with 16 players each. The teams will also travel with a head coach, assistant coach, goalkeeping coach, a physiotherapist, and a doctor – a sizable delegation for a grassroots club that has spent years developing young athletes.
Robinsons Land is expanding beyond malls, hotels, and offices into sports and leisure, and one of its first plays is helping young Filipino athletes compete on the world stage via its newly established Robinsons Sports and Leisure (RSL).
The Gokongwei-led property developer has supported LAOS FC by helping fund uniforms, equipment, venues, training, and travel expenses. The partnership has a local connection too, given that Robinsons Land operates malls and hotels in Tacloban City and has maintained a longstanding presence in Leyte. (READ: Roadmap to 2030: Robinsons Land to build 12 new malls in next 5 years)
“Our work with LAOS FC reflects the kind of initiatives we want RSL to support: efforts built with care, purpose, and a clear focus on giving young Filipinos access to training, competition, and experiences that help them grow on and off the field,” said Ramon Rivero, Robinsons Land chief strategist and general manager of Robinsons Sports and Leisure.
For the players, the Norway Cup offers a chance to test themselves against international competition and represent their communities abroad.
TEAM. Members of LAOS FC pose for a group photo. Photo by Robinsons Land.
Many of the club’s players are also juggling football with schoolwork at institutions such as Ateneo de Manila University, the University of Santo Tomas, Miriam College High School, and the University of the East.
The initiative is part of Robinsons Land’s push to create more spaces and activities built around recreation and wellness. Its other projects include the eight-story Helios Pickleball Center in Bridgetowne, Pasig, which is planned to have tournament-grade courts, shops, and dining areas.
“Robinsons Sports and Leisure reflects how we see the next evolution of community-building,” Mybelle V. Aragon-GoBio, president and CEO of Robinsons Land, said in a press release. “Filipinos need spaces where they can move, recharge, spend time with others, and build healthier routines.” – Rappler.com
