(KPL) On July 10, 2025,  The U-13 WIG NAGA football team returned to Laos to a hero’s welcome after making history by winning the IBER Cup 2025 in Portugal a feat unmatched by any Lao football team in the nation’s history.

The young athletes, representing the Lao PDR as its sole delegation in the prestigious international youth tournament, rose to glory by defeating elite clubs from across five continents. Their final triumph came with a 2-0 victory over Portugal’s CF Os Belenenses, securing the championship and cementing their legacy on the global stage.

Upon arriving at the First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane, the team was met with a grand reception led by Mr. Thanom Chiengtong, President of the Lao Front for National Construction of Vientiane. The celebration continued at Patuxay Monument, where Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Mr. Kingmano Phommasay and Deputy Mayor of Vientiane Mr. Phouvanh Vongkhamchao honored the champions. Later, Mayor Atsaphanthong Siphandone extended his formal congratulations at the Vientiane Office.

The IBER Cup 2025 brought together 48 U-13 teams from 15 countries, including global football powerhouses such as Brazil, Spain, the United States, and host nation Portugal. Competing in the top-tier Playoff Gold, WIG NAGA won every match, demonstrating skill, unity, and a fighting spirit that captured hearts and brought pride to an entire nation.

This victory marks a historic first: Laos’s debut in this elite tournament not only broke new ground but also ended in an international title — a dream moment generations of footballers have aspired to but never achieved. The courage, discipline, and excellence shown by these young players place them in a league of their own — true national heroes, achieving what no Lao team, senior or junior, has ever done before.

Their journey is more than a victory; it is a symbol of hope, determination, and the boundless potential of Lao youth. While other teams play the game, WIG NAGA played for the nation.

KPL