More than 1,000 boys and girls from across the Houston area took centre stage last weekend as the Road to the Cup tournament reached its climax inside the FIFA Fan Festival™, bringing a grassroots football dream to life against the backdrop of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The final rounds of each age group were played at the Aramco Arena, a 7v7 pitch constructed specifically within the Fan Festival site. For many of the young players, it marked a first taste of a major international sporting atmosphere — and one they are unlikely to forget.

A competition built from the ground up

Road to the Cup began back in March with qualifying rounds held at various sports facilities across greater Houston and South Texas. In total, 125 teams entered the competition, which was open to boys and girls from the U-11 level through to the U-18/U-19 age group. The best sides from each round advanced to the finals on Sunday 21 June.

The 7v7 format was a deliberate choice. Charles Rotramel, Chairman of the Grow the Game sub-committee of Houston's Host Committee, explained the thinking: