A Soccer‑Rooted Creative Collective
In the heart of East Williamsburg, a former warehouse has been reborn as the headquarters of Secret Futebol Club, a community‑based creative agency that grew out of informal soccer games in New York City. Co‑founders Ricardo Carlota and Austin Costeira turned their shared Portuguese heritage and love of the sport into a platform for artistic expression and brand partnerships.
What began as a pick‑up network of roughly 160 players evolved into a cultural hub after the founders met at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where they bonded over soccer and culture. Their first World Cup watch party in 2018 at Kinfolk sparked a series of collaborations that would later involve global brands.
The agency’s roster of partners reads like a who’s‑who of sports and tech: Adidas, Meta and Copa90 have all worked with Secret on projects ranging from custom title belts for Lionel Messi to the unveiling of Wrexham FC’s new kit alongside Meta in July 2025. In the fall of 2025, the trio launched the FIFA World Cup Trionda Match Ball with Adidas and Copa90 at Brooklyn’s Pier 2.
Looking ahead, Secret is gearing up for the World Cup with a slate of events that include Futcon, a soccer‑culture festival running from June 11 to 16, a bootleg kit battle between Workshop Tiba and OG Drake, and 16 jersey customization workshops from June 18 to 23. The festival will showcase work by comic‑book artist Emi Utrera and muralist Gordopelota, while NBA great Joakim Noah and USMNT legend Jozy Altidore are slated to make appearances on June 27.
Beyond the festival, the team hopes to throw a block party on their studio’s street for the World Cup final, turning the neighborhood into a celebration of the sport that sparked it all. With Airbnb on board as a partner, the upcoming fan fest promises a multiday experience that blends art, sport and community.
The Future of Soccer‑Inspired Creativity
As the tournament approaches, Secret Futebol Club exemplifies how a grassroots passion can scale into a multidisciplinary platform that bridges sport, design and technology. By partnering with industry leaders and spotlighting local talent, the agency not only celebrates the game but also redefines how fans engage with it, proving that a simple pick‑up game can evolve into a global cultural moment.