As part of FC Porto’s Strategic Plan, which identifies international expansion as a fundamental pillar for the Club’s growth and competitiveness in the medium and long term, a partnership protocol was signed this Wednesday with FC Cincinnati, a club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional football league in the United States.

With the objective of strengthening its connection to a strategic market, this protocol marks the beginning of a more structured approach by FC Porto to the North American market. The United States is currently experiencing a period of strong growth in the football industry, combining significant scale and commercial maturity with an acceleration cycle linked to major international events such as the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA World Cup.

FC Porto President André Villas-Boas highlighted the importance of this initiative within the Club’s strategy: “This represents a new way for FC Porto to position itself internationally, particularly in the United States, where we are also planning to open our first football school, which is another step we intend to take. We spent about a year aligning this protocol, which goes beyond player development and also includes scouting and commercial strategies that may emerge from this new relationship. It is a fundamental step in the U.S., which will host the 2026 World Cup, especially with an American franchise that has been recognised as one of the most innovative and dynamic in MLS.”

The choice of the North American market is the result of an in-depth analysis of its sporting and commercial potential, as well as existing connections within the Club’s ecosystem, including the partnership with New Balance, FC Porto’s main sponsor, and the strong presence of a Portuguese and FC Porto supporter community, evidenced during recent international competitions.

FC Cincinnati was identified as a strategic partner due to its strong governance, the solidity of its sporting project and its long-term vision, aligned with FC Porto’s values and ambitions. Since joining MLS in 2019, the club has shown consistent growth, reaching the league semi-finals last season.

“In the last 10 years, FC Cincinnati has achieved significant success. They are strongly supported in terms of innovation and strategy, backed by investors with considerable influence and recognition within the American industry. From that perspective, this partnership is also strategic for us, as we are working with a highly dynamic and relatively young club that has achieved success in the market and gained recognition for its infrastructure, player development and academies,” said André Villas-Boas.

The signing ceremony took place at the FC Porto Museum and was attended by the Presidents of both clubs, formally marking the start of this strategic partnership.

FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding also underlined the relevance of the agreement: “This partnership will be a key pillar of our strategy for the next 10 years. Our club is young, but in a decade we have gone from an idea in my head to competing in the top division in the U.S. We built a world-class stadium and training facilities, won our first trophy, and are now recognised among the best clubs in MLS. Over the next 10 years, we want to become a globally respected club, fuelled by the growth of football in the U.S. To achieve that, we must learn from the best. Having the opportunity to partner with such a fantastic club, one of the most successful clubs in the world—as proven by all these trophies here in the Museum—is incredible. We can learn and continue to develop our club.”

Jeff Berding also highlighted the upcoming change to the U.S. football calendar as an important factor: “In 2027, MLS will change its calendar to follow the FIFA standard. Our season will start in August, go through the winter and end in May. This will allow us to be more active in the global football market. Our best players may move to FC Porto, which operates at a level above MLS, while younger players may see FC Cincinnati as an important stepping stone in their career and development.”

Looking ahead, FC Porto President André Villas-Boas left a clear message:“FC Porto will not stop here.”