The Florida Keys Soccer Club’s competitive youth travel team, known as the Islanders, are gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first edition to feature 48 men’s national sides across three host nations.
Under the guidance of coach Andres Herrera, who is in his second year leading the U‑16 side, the squad has received a boost of official World Cup merchandise from FIFA technical manager Sam Whittle, who oversees infrastructure and technical services for the tournament.
Whittle, a veteran of English football administration, has been instrumental in coordinating the logistics that will see matches played in venues such as Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, as well as in cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The tournament’s opening match will be held in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, marking the first time three countries share hosting duties and setting the stage for a globally expansive competition.
Herrera says the World Cup’s reach is more than a spectacle; it is a catalyst for ambition among young players in South Florida, inspiring them to dream of representing their countries on the world stage.
A new era for soccer in the Keys
The partnership between a grassroots club, a global federation and a forward‑thinking coach illustrates how regional talent can be amplified on the world’s biggest stage.