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South Florida soccer fans may have just scored an ideal slate of games for next year’s World Cup, with four Central and South American teams drawing matchups in Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium next summer.
The Federation Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) official draw in Washington, D.C., on Friday set matches in Miami-Dade County for soccer royalty Brazil (which holds a record five World Cups) and Uruguay (a two-time winner, including the first World Cup in 1930). The news represents what’s likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many South American immigrants to watch their native nation’s soccer team compete in South Florida for the World Cup. While their international trophy cabinets may not be as glittering, the Cabo Verde and Colombia national teams’ South Florida games will be an exhilarating sight for droves of immigrants in South Florida.
Matches at Hard Rock Stadium:
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (Group H) Monday, June 15
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Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde (Group H) Sunday, June 21
Scotland vs. Brazil (Group C) Wednesday, June 24
Colombia vs. Portugal (Group K) Saturday, June 27
Pure soccer fans will be excited for the chance to see Uruguay twice in heavily favorable matchups. While Colombia vs. Portugal is the obvious marquee matchup of the lot, featuring FIFA’s No. 13 vs. No. 6 in the world rankings and Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer historians might be most excited for Scotland vs. Brazil. World rankings and past performances indicate the matchup won’t be close (Brazil is ranked No. 5 while Scotland is No. 36). But the atmosphere is almost guaranteed to be festive, pairing two sets of the most boisterous and joyful fanbases in the sport. Many are dubbing the matchup football heritage, as the two nations have drawn each other in the group stage of five World Cups.
The 2026 tournament is the first in its 96-year history to host 48 teams, up from the previous 32-team format. Games are set throughout North America, with Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. serving as joint host nations. South Florida’s various immigrant communities will likely be thrilled to see four Central and South American teams draw matches in Miami-Dade. And, depending on who makes it to the knockout rounds hosted by Hard Rock, fans might have a chance to see Argentina, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, or Curaçao.
While South Florida is set to host seven World Cup games, only four matchups are decided because the other three are in the knockout rounds, so we won’t know the specific face-offs until the tournament progresses.
