Myanmar U-12 Team Completes “Road to Japan 2026”

From the U-12 World Challenge to Homestays, Community Exchange, and Corporate Partnerships: 10 Days of Growing Connections Between Japan and Myanmar

In August 2026, Global Bridge Plus (GB+), a general incorporated association, welcomed 18 U-12 players from Myanmar to Japan and carried out “Road to Japan 2026,” a 10-day international exchange program.

During their stay, the players participated in the 2026 U-12 Junior Soccer World Challenge, as well as homestays in Kamakura, exchanges with local communities and university students, and a new initiative in Tokyo made possible through a corporate partnership. Through soccer as a starting point, the program provided a wide range of opportunities for international exchange and cultural understanding.

Taking on the World: The U-12 Junior Soccer World Challenge

From August 21 to 24, the 2026 U-12 Junior Soccer World Challenge was held at Fukuda Denshi Field & Square in Soga, Chiba. The Myanmar U-12 team participated in the tournament for the fourth consecutive year.

In addition to teams that had qualified through regional competitions across Japan, international teams from Spain, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, China, Taiwan, and Mexico took part in the tournament.

Myanmar opened the tournament with a 2–2 draw against Urawa Reds Junior, followed by a 0–0 draw against FC LIBERTA Fukuoka U-12.

Although Myanmar narrowly missed out on the knockout stage following a draw to determine the final qualifying spot, the players competed with confidence on a stage featuring some of the world's strongest youth teams and gained invaluable experience.

The tournament also made history when Mazda GB FC of Laos defeated FC Barcelona 3–2 in the final, winning the title in their first appearance. It was a memorable tournament in which a Southeast Asian team reached the top of the world stage.

The Connections Beyond the Tournament

For GB+, the “Road to Japan” is about more than the results on the field.

After the tournament, the players spent time at Honenji Temple in Chiba City, where they were staying, before traveling to Kamakura.

They were welcomed into Japanese homes through a homestay program, where they shared everyday experiences with Japanese children and their families.

Children with different languages, cultures, and lifestyles sat around the same table, walked through the streets together, and shared moments of laughter.

These experiences created a different kind of connection, one built not through competition, but through simple human interaction.

Exchange with Children from Kita Ward at Toyo University

The players also took part in an exchange program with children from the Kita Ward Training Center at the Toyo University Comprehensive Sports Center.

By playing soccer together, running, and chasing the ball side by side, the children found ways to communicate beyond the barriers of language.

It was a moment in which the children themselves embodied GB+’s belief:

“Football is the Bridge.”

A Half-Day in Tokyo Made Possible Through Corporate Partnership

This year's “Road to Japan” also saw GB+ take on a new initiative through collaboration with a corporate partner.

Through a partnership with a telecommunications company, the players were divided into three teams and traveled from Honenji Temple to Tokyo.

Each team was given the opportunity to explore Tokyo independently, with all teams scheduled to meet at Tokyo Skytree at 2:30 p.m.

The players had to make their own decisions, discuss their plans with their teammates, and navigate one of Japan's largest cities on their own.

For these 12-year-old players, it was a valuable opportunity to experience Tokyo firsthand and discover the city through their own eyes.

Beyond international exchange through sport, creating new opportunities through collaboration with companies was another significant achievement of this year's program.

A Final “Thank You” Over Myanmar Cuisine

At the end of their approximately 10-day stay in Japan, the players and everyone involved gathered at a Myanmar restaurant in Takadanobaba to share a meal and bring the journey to a close.

After experiencing Japanese culture, cities, and interactions with local people, the children ended their journey by enjoying food from their homeland.

The experience offered an opportunity to reflect on how everyday life should never be taken for granted, and to appreciate once again the importance of their homeland, families, and communities.

Sharing a meal from Myanmar after spending 10 days immersed in Japan also became a fitting symbol of a journey that bridged two cultures.

Connections for the Future, Starting with Soccer

Through “Road to Japan 2026,” 18 children from Myanmar traveled to Japan and experienced not only the challenge of competing on the international stage, but also encounters with Japanese children, families, local communities, universities, companies, and many others.

Soccer has the power to connect people beyond differences in nationality, language, and culture.

And once a connection is formed through friendship, it can remain with children as they move into the future.

What GB+ seeks to create is not a one-time exchange.

We want children from Japan and Myanmar to meet, learn about each other's cultures, and build connections that can be passed on to the next generation.

We will continue nurturing each of the connections created during these 10 days into lasting and ongoing exchanges between Japan and Myanmar.

Football is the Bridge.

Connecting children around the world through soccer.

Global Bridge Plus will continue to create opportunities for international exchange through sport and expand the “Road to Japan” initiative, using soccer as a starting point for building connections across borders.