Alessia Russo Launches the First-Ever Alessia Cup, Creating a New Pathway for Young Girls in Football

Skysports

Arsenal and England player Alessia Russo has officially kicked off the first edition of her youth tournament, a project designed to champion young girls stepping into the world of football and to widen access to the game at grassroots level.

This new competition, called The Alessia Cup, brought together 180 girls from across north London for a day of small-sided football, community energy, and inspiration. Held in partnership with Goals 4 Girls and supported by the Alessia Russo Foundation, the event builds on a long-running initiative while elevating it with a fresh sense of ambition and reach.

For Russo, this tournament isn’t just a one-off gathering it is the opening chapter of a wider mission to rewrite that narrative.

Russo’s long-term vision extends beyond the pitch. Her foundation aims to create a meaningful support system that allows young girls to thrive both in football and in life , whether that means providing resources, opportunities, or simply a sense of belonging at a time when many feel pushed out of sport.

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Speaking on Instagram about the first-ever edition of the tournament, Russo shared how personal this project truly is:

**“Seeing the first ever Alessia Cup come to life, with 180 girls stepping onto the pitch to take part in grassroots football, was incredibly special. I know how much a tournament like this meant to me when I was first starting out. The tournament marks the start of something much bigger for me personally – a place to break down the barriers that hold young girls back from sport. Through the foundation, we hope to offer opportunities for girls to reach their potential. They are not just the future of sport, they are the future.

As women’s football continues to rise, it’s powerful to see top players using their platform to build the game from the ground up