Refurbished soccer pitch will benefit the surrounding community and the Miami FC Youth Academy, while two-year scholarships will expand opportunity for 10 deserving youth. (Photo credit: FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee)

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee — in partnership with Miami-Dade County, Miami FC Youth Academy and the University of Miami — celebrated the groundbreaking of a new One Game One Future legacy project at Tamiami Park on Sept. 22, marking another investment in the long-term power of soccer to create opportunity and strengthen communities across Miami-Dade County.

Supported by the University of Miami, the project will refurbish a soccer pitch at Tamiami Park, creating an improved playing environment that will benefit the surrounding community and the Miami FC Youth Academy, the youth development program of Miami FC, South Florida’s professional soccer club competing in the USL Championship and part of the Sports Performance Hub ecosystem being developed in Homestead.

The pitch refurbishment is expected to be completed in late 2026 and represents a lasting investment in access to quality playing spaces beyond the FIFA World Cup 2026.

In addition to the pitch refurbishment, the legacy initiative will expand educational opportunity for local youth. Through contributions from FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee Board member and former University of Miami president Donna Shalala, PhD, 10 deserving children will receive two-year scholarships, providing meaningful support as they pursue their educational goals.

“The World Cup energized our community, inspiring both longtime supporters and new fans to embrace soccer’s global spirit,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “At Tamiami Park, we’re building on that investment and enthusiasm by creating a space that encourages active, healthy living and strengtens a park loved by generations.”

“One Game One Future is about making sure the FIFA World Cup 2026 leaves a meaningful legacy in the communities that call Miami-Dade home,” said Rodney Barreto, co-chair of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee. “This project demonstrates what is possible when sport, government, education and community partners come together to create lasting opportunities.

“From an improved pitch for young players and local clubs to scholarships that help deserving students pursue their future, this is the kind of legacy we want to build together,” Barreto said.

“Transforming lives through education, research, and service is the University of Miami’s mission, and that work begins long before students step foot on our campuses, or patients reach our facilities,” said Tanya Andreadis, senior vice president and chief marketing, communications, and digital officer, University of Miami.

“We are proud to support this legacy project with the Miami Host Committee at Tamiami Park, because a safe, well-kept field is where children build healthy habits and learn what they are capable of. Miami hosted the world for a month. This field is the legacy we leave behind long after the matches end,” Andreadis added.

The Tamiami Park project is part of One Game One Future, the Miami Host Committee’s community and legacy platform focused on using football to expand access to play, strengthen communities and create sustainable opportunities that extend beyond the tournament.

Through partnerships with Miami-Dade County, University of Miami and the Miami FC Youth Academy, the initiative underscores the power of soccer as a vehicle for youth development, community connection and long-term investment in South Florida.

“Soccer is about much more than what happens on the field. It can create opportunity, build confidence and give young people a place to belong and grow,” said Nick Sakiewicz, CEO and co-founder of Sports Performance Hub and board director of Miami FC Youth Academy. “This renewed pitch will give Miami FC Youth Academy players and families across the community greater access to a quality place to play and connect, creating an impact that will last well beyond the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“We are proud to stand alongside the Host Committee, Miami-Dade County and the University of Miami to help make that possible, because at Sports Performance Hub, we’re building for generations, not seasons,” Sakiewicz said.

Among those in attendance were Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Mayor; Roberto J. Gonzalez, Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 11; Christina White, Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces director; Alina Hudak, president and CEO, FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee will continue to leverage the global platform of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to deliver community-focused investments and programs that create lasting economic, social, recreational and cultural benefits across Miami-Dade County.

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