The Journey from Madagascar to Gothia Cup

Gothia Cup is a chance to showcase Madagascar on the international stage and contribute to the development of football in our country.

This is our third part in our series The Journey. Take part of Toky Rakotoarini's story below.

For the first time ever, DreamTeam Foot will participate in the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden. This will be the first team to ever participate from our country. Our journey began when a Swedish friend living in Madagascar introduced us to the tournament. After researching the event, we were impressed by the organization and the high level of competition. It’s an honor for us to represent our country.

Our expectations are to provide our players with the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the world, improve their skills, and grow in a world-class environment. We’ve intensified both physical and technical training, and we’re also preparing our players mentally for the long journey and tough competition ahead.

The main funding for our participation comes from the passionate parents involved in our school, but we are open to external support if available. The journey from Madagascar to Sweden is long—approximately 9,126 km—and many of our players have never left the country. We are excited to experience new cultures and broaden our perspectives.

Gothia Cup is a chance to showcase Madagascar on the international stage and contribute to the development of football in our country. Despite the tough competition, we are determined to give our best and make this an unforgettable experience for our players. We can’t wait to be a part of this incredible tournament!

- Toky Rakotoarini