About COTIF

History, Format, Organization, Media Coverage

The Torneo Internacional de Fútbol Sub-20 de L'Alcúdia, commonly known as COTIF, is an annual international football tournament for under-20 clubs and national teams. Founded in 1984, it originally allowed autonomous teams to participate until this was discontinued in 2016. A sister competition, the COTIF Women’s Football Tournament, was established in 2012.

The inaugural COTIF final in 1984 was an all-Spanish affair, with Valencia defeating Real Madrid for the title. Valencia successfully defended their trophy the following year, overcoming Barcelona. Notably, 1993 marked the first time no Spanish representative reached the top four.

Morocco made history in 1987 as the first non-European team to win the tournament, while Brazil followed suit as the first South American side to clinch the title in 1990. The Soviet Union was the first national team to become champion, achieving this in the tournament's third edition.

Additionally, several notable players have participated in COTIF, including Real Madrid legend Raúl, who was the top scorer in 1994, and Isco, who earned MVP honors in 2009. Lautaro Martínez also won the MVP award for Argentina in 2016.

In contrast to the men's tournament, which is exclusive to under-20 sides, the COTIF Women's Football Tournament features senior teams.