culture
South Florida's Uruguayan community gears up for World Cup opener with pride, passion and tradition
By Ivan Taylor at CBS4 Miami
· June 12, 2026
· 3 min read
With just days remaining before the first World Cup match in South Florida, excitement is building among the region's Uruguayan community as their national team prepares to face Saudi Arabia on June 15.For many Uruguayans living in South Florida, the match represents much more than soccer. It is an
Key takeaway "I'm super happy for the World Cup, the first game of the World Cup over here," said Gabriel Eloy Carrizo, a former Uruguayan national team player who now coaches youth soccer players in South Miami.
Why this matters in The Miami
The Uruguayan community's enthusiasm for the World Cup is a testament to the strong Latin American presence in Miami. As the city gears up to host the tournament, neighborhoods like Little Havana and Wynwood are likely to be filled with the sounds and colors of Uruguayan culture. Local businesses, particularly those in areas with high Latin American populations, will likely see an influx of customers looking to celebrate and watch the matches. The Westchester area, where Doña Paulina restaurant is located, is a hub for Uruguayan and other Latin American communities, and its streets may be filled with fans donning their national team's jerseys and flags. As the tournament progresses, Miami's diverse communities will come together to cheer on their teams, making the city an exciting and vibrant place to be. The World Cup will also bring attention to Miami's ability to host large international events, potentially paving the way for future tournaments and celebrations.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: culture ·
Published: June 12, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 3 min
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more The Miami stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering culture and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? With just days remaining before the first World Cup match in South Florida, excitement is building among the region's Uruguayan community as their national team prepares to face Saudi Arabia on June 15.For many Uruguayans living in South Florida, the match represents much more than soccer. It is an
When was this published? This article was first published on June 12, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ivan Taylor at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more culture coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More culture →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter