12 nations, one pitch, the same goal: integration through sport
Torrevieja’s most colourful football tournament is back. The III Mundialito de Fútbol “Ciudad de Torrevieja” will take place on 6 and 7 December 2025 at the Ciudad Deportiva, bringing together players from 12 different countries under the banner “Integración a través del deporte” (Integration through Sport).
The group-stage draw will be held this Saturday 29 November at 10:00 in the press room of the Palacio de los Deportes. From 9:30 on Saturday 6 December until late evening, the qualifying matches will be played in football-7 format. Sunday morning will host the finals (9:30–13:30), followed immediately by the trophy ceremony.
This year’s line-up features teams representing Spain, Paraguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Morocco and Senegal. Reigning champions Paraguay – winners of both previous editions – will be the team to beat.
Tournament at a glance
- Dates: Saturday 6 December (9:30–21:30) & Sunday 7 December (9:30–13:30 + awards)
- Venue: Ciudad Deportiva de Torrevieja
- Format: Football 7
- Participating nations (12): Spain, Paraguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Morocco, Senegal
- Organised by: Concejalía de Convivencia e Integración, Oficina Pangea and Concejalía de Deportes
- Extra attraction: Folk groups from several countries performing during breaks
More than just a tournament
In a city where more than half the registered population comes from abroad, events like the Mundialito are far more than sporting competitions. They are genuine celebrations of coexistence. The tournament was born in 2023 as a direct initiative of the Oficina Pangea – Torrevieja’s award-winning integration office – with the clear aim of using football as a tool to break down barriers, fight prejudice and create bonds between communities that sometimes only cross paths in the supermarket queue.
Each team is made up of residents (both Spanish and foreign) who carry the flag of their country or country of origin. The stands become a festival of flags, music and traditional dress, while folk groups from several nations perform during breaks, turning the sports complex into a mini World Cup with added flavour of home.
Paraguay aims for the triple crown
Paraguay has dominated the two previous editions and arrives as clear favourite. Yet the level rises every year: the South American giants Brazil and Argentina are always dangerous, Morocco and Senegal bring speed and power, and the Eastern European teams (Ukraine, Poland, Romania) have shown remarkable organisation and hunger to win.
Why the Mundialito matters
Torrevieja has long understood that integration is not achieved with speeches alone, but on the pitch, in the stands and at the third-half barbecue. When a Colombian scores for the Spanish team or a Ukrainian goalkeeper saves a penalty for Morocco, stereotypes collapse faster than any awareness campaign could ever manage.
As the council’s integration department repeatedly stresses: “Sport is one of the most powerful instruments public authorities have to transmit personal and social values, to fight intolerance, racism and exclusion.”
With every edition the Mundialito grows in participation, media coverage and community pride. What started as a modest tournament with eight teams is now a fixed December tradition that many residents – whatever their passport – mark in red on the calendar.
Entrance is free. Bring a flag, bring your voice, and come and enjoy two days where the only thing that matters is the beautiful game and the even more beautiful idea that, on the Costa Blanca, we are all playing on the same team.
