Sports Briefs

BY OLIVIA SIMON, STAFF WRITER

FIFA offce in Coral Gables

In preparation for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has created an office in Coral Gables. This comes as a result of soccer’s steady expansion in South Florida. Given the acquisition of Lionel Messi onto Inter Miami CF, the possibility of hosting Copa America and the location of headquarters of large soccer corporations, Miami has become a soccer epicenter. Unsurprisingly, FIFA is using Coral Gables to head their insertion into this space.

Located near Miracle Mile, this 60,000-square-foot office is already listed as an employment site, with many positions becoming available as the tournament nears. After the 2026 World Cup, Miami is expected to become FIFA’s long-term American base, creating even more soccer opportunities in the Gables.

“The establishment of the FIFA office will help the economy in Coral Gables by creating many new job opportunities,” senior center midfielder Nicholas Pedrosa said. “This office will also increase the soccer fan base here and tourism to our community.”

PSG Soccer Academy at Gables

Gables and the Paris Saint-Germain Academy signed a partnership recently to start a soccer program in the 2023-2024 school year, creating the PSG Academy Accelerated Development Program. This one-of-a-kind initiative is designed to provide students an education in both soccer and the classroom.

Students are being trained using PSG’s own personalized training methods. Practices are held by PSG-certified youth coaches every day

at Gables, from the end of school to 5 p.m. They provide intensive physical training as well as lessons on the strategic parts of the game. Additionally, many educational, tactical, strength, nutritional and mental workshops are offered.

“Our intensive approach to soccer and education prepares athletes for their future careers and college life,” PSG director Isabelle Roux said. “Learning these skills is a difficult but invaluable skill to have in any workplace.”

athlete spotlight

Jason Norona, sophomore

Sport: Cross Country

Accomplishments: Ran a personal best of 16:50 at the Spanish River Invitational, earning the top time for the entire boys cross country team this year.