FC St. Gallen is the host of an international U16 girls football tournament on Saturday, June 27, at Gründenmoos – an event organized by Comites di San Gallo that draws four foreign teams.

What is happening at the tournament?

The competition kicks off at 10 a.m. and runs until just before 7 p.m. for the final. Twelve squads battle in a group stage followed by a double‑knock‑out round. Swiss representatives include FC St. Gallen, FC Zürich, Grasshopper Club and Young Boys Bern, while 1. FC Union Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, Hellas Verona and SSC Napoli join from abroad. The aim is not only sporting rivalry but also cultural exchange among the three nations.

Why does this matter for FC St. Gallen?

Sandro Barile, co‑coach of the FC St. Gallen U20 women, sees the tournament as a springboard for regional women’s football. He notes that the presence of clubs like Union Berlin, where former FCSG goalkeeper Nadine Böhi now plays, boosts St. Gallen’s profile. The event also fulfills Barile’s personal dream of bringing an Italian side to St. Gallen – he hails from Verona and is a big Hellas fan.

How is the event organized?

The foreign squads arrive on Friday and stay together at the Pestalozzi children’s village to foster camaraderie. Hotels in town were fully booked due to the Open‑Air festival, so an alternative lodging plan was set up. Besides the matches, a large festival tent will serve Italian food, highlighting the cultural diversity on display.

What are the future prospects?

Barile hopes for 500‑800 spectators and envisions the tournament becoming a recurring fixture. “Maybe not every year, but every two years is certainly possible,” he says. A smooth execution could embed the tournament into the regional women’s football calendar and attract more international participants.

In the Super League, FC St. Gallen currently sits second with 60 points from 33 games (17 wins, 9 draws, 7 losses) and a recent form of D‑W‑W‑L‑W. The side has scored 64 goals and conceded 40, giving a +24 goal difference, yet remains 14 points behind leaders FC Thun. This strong campaign provides the momentum needed to back the tournament successfully.

The competition gives young players from Switzerland, Germany and Italy a chance to test themselves, forge friendships and share their love of football – a clear sign that FC St. Gallen is not only supporting women’s football but actively shaping its future.