Gothia Cup has signed a three year cooperation agreement with the Japanese Football Association and their highest league J. League. The agreement means that the association receiving the award for best youth club in Japan – Best Academy Club Award – sends its team for boys 16 years to participate in the Gothia Cup.

After last year's great interest in Kim Kallstrom Trophy, the class of football playing youth with an intellectual disability, the Gothia Cup has decided to extend the class in this year's tournament. Last year, 21 teams from 7 different nations participated. This year it is planned for 30 teams from 14 different nations.

When Gothia Cup 2012 kicks off on the 15th of July, it is with more international referees than ever before. Out of more than 400 referees, almost ten percent will be from outside Sweden.