India’s Minerva Academy created history in Europe by successfully defending the Gothia Cup. The U-12 boys defeated Brazil’s RS Club in the final 2-1 to lift the trophy. Just a week back, they had won the Helsinki Cup. Minerva Academy is out of Chandigarh. The Miverva Academy entered the Gothia Cup as the defending champions. Kipgen Thangsanglen scored the first goal for India. Brazil scored the equalizer to level the series. Mekhamkhraw Nongrem scored the second goal for Minerva, giving them a 2–1 lead.
India didn’t squander the lead and the junior players will return home with the title. Minerva Academy defeated the teams from England, France, Kenya, Ukraine and a few other countries.
The Minerva Academy had finished as the runners-up of the Helsinki Cup in 2025. Apart from Gothia Cuo and Helsinki Cup, they have won Norway Cup and Dana Cup.
Players preparing for World Cup, Olympics
In April 2026, Ranjit Bajaj, the owner of Minerva Academy, said that their players are preparing for the 2034 World Cup and the 2036 Olympics. India has never participated in the FIFA World Cup.
“Talent scouts from top division clubs in Spain and England have contacted us, asking for the CVs of our players along with additional video clips. These U-15 boys along with their juniors are preparing for the 2034 World Cup and the 2036 Olympics. If we can become a top eight team in Asia, we can qualify for these two tournaments. We’ve been getting results in international events for a few years. This [MIC] there was no flash in the pan. This means our processes are right,” he told Mid-Day in April.
India famously qualified for the 1950 World Cup but they withdrew from the tournament. “India will not participate in the World Cup or the Jules Rimet Cup. Due to late information reaching India, the team will have to be flown to Rio resulting in cancellation of team selection. Since there is not much time, the Indian team will not be able to prepare and hence it will not be correct to send the team,’ an AIFF press release said.
