By Le Floridien Staff________________
(LITTLE HAITI) — The third edition of the Little Haiti Football Academy youth tournament turned into a true festival of soccer, culture, music, and community last weekend as hundreds of young players, parents, coaches, and supporters gathered at Emmanuel ‘Manno’ Sanon Park in Little Haiti, Miami, for one of the largest youth soccer events serving underserved communities in South Florida.
But beyond the excitement on the field, the event gained international attention once again with the surprise appearance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, marking his second visit to the Little Haiti Football Club program. His first visit took place in April 2024, when he attended the academy’s tournament for the very first time and praised the organization’s work with underserved youth.
This year’s return visit by the head of world soccer created another unforgettable moment for the young athletes and organizers, many of whom viewed his presence as a powerful sign of recognition for the academy’s mission and impact within the Haitian and multicultural communities of South Florida.
“Our presence serves to show our support for the program, motivate all children, and pursue the goal of ‘not have to pay to play,’” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, emphasizing his support for Little Haiti Football Club’s mission of giving children access to soccer regardless of their family’s financial situation.
Throughout the day, the atmosphere resembled far more than a simple soccer competition. Music filled the park while families enjoyed food, refreshments, and cultural activities around the tournament grounds. Children proudly represented their teams in multiple youth categories while parents and supporters cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines.
Players from Little Haiti FC and several other local clubs participated in the event, continuing a tradition that has steadily grown into one of the area’s most anticipated youth soccer gatherings.
The Little Haiti Football Club remains unique in Florida as one of the only youth soccer organizations offering free participation for children from underserved families. Over the years, the academy has become known not only for developing athletic talent, but also for promoting education, discipline, mentorship, and community involvement.
According to organizers, the academy currently serves children from Little Haiti and surrounding communities while maintaining an impressive educational track record among participants.
The unexpected arrival of FIFA President Infantino immediately drew excitement and gratitude from coaches, parents, volunteers, and invited guests. Many approached him respectfully throughout the day, thanking him for continuing to support a grassroots program that gives opportunities to children who might otherwise not have access to organized sports.
His presence also reinforced the growing visibility of the academy on both the local and international stage.
“This kind of support motivates the children tremendously,” one attendee said during the event. “When kids see the president of FIFA come back to watch them play, they understand that their dreams matter.”
However, despite the overall success of the tournament, Little Haiti Football Academy President Don Laleau Gomez expressed disappointment over what he described as the relatively limited participation of some Haitian parents compared to families from other communities.
According to Laleau, families from Hispanic and other ethnic communities consistently attend the tournament in large numbers to support their children and celebrate the event together. He regretted that many Haitian parents do not yet show the same level of involvement and enthusiasm despite the academy’s efforts to create opportunities for Haitian youth.
“We would like to see more Haitian parents come out and support these children,” Laleau reportedly shared during conversations surrounding the event. “The Spanish community always shows up strongly for their kids. We hope our Haitian families will increasingly do the same because these children need encouragement and support.”
Still, organizers considered the third edition of the tournament another major success, especially with the continued support of community partners and the renewed presence of FIFA’s top executive.
For many families and young players, the event represented more than soccer. It was a celebration of unity, opportunity, culture, and hope — values the Little Haiti Football Academy says remain at the center of its mission.
