On 11 April 2026, around 100 children and youngsters between the ages of six and 17 took part in the third edition of the Copa Cacau (formerly known as the Tropheo Cacau) in São Paulo, Brazil. Held in collaboration with the local community and the Instituto Sementinha, the event was about far more than just football, creating a truly special experience for everyone involved. The Copa Cacau was made possible thanks to the support of the VfB foundation “Brustring der Herzen”.
A strong start for community and the future
The day began with the planting of five native tree saplings — a powerful symbol of responsibility, togetherness and environmental awareness. This was followed by leisure activities and a football tournament between the different “Esportes para a Vida” project sites, with teams from Núcleo Conjunto Jefferson, Núcleo Transforma and Núcleo Sabaúna facing off against one another.
Bringing people together and inspiring
Across the U9, U12 and U17 categories, as well as the girls’ teams, the focus was not only on competition but primarily on fairness, team spirit and enjoying the game. To round things off, all the children were awarded medals in recognition of their efforts and as a source of motivation for their continued paths in sport.
Lasting memories
For VfB legend Cacau, the standout moments were the time spent with the children, the post-tournament award ceremony and the chance to laugh and chat together. Giving children access to sport, creating a special day for them and bringing a sense of community to life — that’s what the Copa Cacau and VfB Stuttgart’s commitment in Brazil are all about.
