Northern NSW Football is thrilled to announce its squad for the 2026 Nihon University High Schools Cup.
The tournament will take place at Toki no Sumika located at the base of Mt Fuji, Japan from 31 August to 2 September 2026.
The Nihon University High Schools Cup showcases the top 12 high schools affiliated with Nihon University.
Twenty-six high schools from across Japan are affiliated with Nihon University and compete throughout the year for the opportunity to attend the prestigious tournament.
Following NNSWF’s historic participation in 2025 as the first foreign team invited to compete, 2026 marks the second consecutive year NNSWF will attend the Nihon University High Schools Cup.
The continued invitation is a significant milestone for NNSWF and reflects the strength of its developing international relationships, while supporting its ambition to create global pathways and opportunities for players across northern NSW.
NNSWF will take one under-17s boys team to the tournament with representation from six of its seven member zones.
NNSWF Technical Director Ryan Doidge said the opportunity to return to the tournament was an exciting one for NNSWF and its players.
“Congratulations to all players selected to represent Northern NSW Football at the Nihon University High Schools Cup,” Doidge said.
“After making history as the first foreign team invited to participate in the tournament in 2025, it’s fantastic to be returning for a second consecutive year.
“The experience provides our players with a unique opportunity to test themselves against some of the best school teams in Japan, while experiencing a different football environment and culture.
“We’re excited to showcase the talent we have across northern NSW and continue building our international relationships and pathways for our players.”
