Fans can now shop for soccer merch at first FIFA World Cup store in Miami Beach
Even as it drizzled, fans lined up outside the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Store at its grand opening Monday, looking to score jerseys, soccer balls and other merch.
The store at 1006 Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach is the first of 40 retail locations across 16 host cities to open ahead of the tournament this summer. Four more stores will open in Miami-Dade County leading up to the tournament.
Ludmila Soleimani, a 23-year-old Argentine influencer who lives in Miami, was among the shoppers on Monday. She bought stickers for her younger brother, as well as an Argentina jersey, a FIFA-branded cup and a soccer ball.
Soleimani brimmed with excitement as she talked about watching her home country defend its World Cup title this year. She said when Argentina won the tournament in 2022, she cried and nearly fainted. “It’s everything,” she said.
This year will be the first time Soleimani watches a World Cup match in person. She said she’s planning to travel to Kansas City to watch Argentina play its first round against Algeria.
“I’m so excited to live it in first person,” Soleimani said. “The vibes are going to be different.”
Like Soleimani, Niko Evans is an Argentine influencer living in Miami. He was shopping for Argentina jerseys —both the home and away colors — at the FIFA store.
“Soccer, for me and for Argentinians, is a passion,” he said.
Sixteen cities — 11 in the U.S., three in Mexico and two in Canada — will be hosting World Cup matches this year. Miami will host seven matches, kicking off on June 15 with Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay and running until the bronze medal match on July 18. Matches will be at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Events will take place throughout the county before and during the tournament, including a kickoff party in Lummus Park in South Beach. The event, which will take place June 11, will include a concert, said Alina Hudak, president and CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee during her remarks at the grand opening on Monday. She said the artist will be announced on May 24.
“This is the biggest sporting event in the world,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner at the store’s ribbon-cutting. “We’re so proud that Miami Beach, we can be a part of it.”
Ross McCall, the World Cup’s executive director for commercial operations, said FIFA chose to open its first store for the 2026 World Cup in the Miami area because it’s home for the organization. FIFA’s American offices are in Coral Gables. He added that Miami-Dade’s connections to Latin America and the popularity of soccer in the area made it a natural choice.
McCall said he thinks the retail component is important to fans. Buying merch helps fans “connect to the tournament,” he said.
“There’s only a small portion of fans that get to go to the stadiums and experience,” McCall said, “so it’s really important for us to make sure that the World Cup touches upon as many fans and people as possible.”
Barbara Galen and her husband were at the FIFA store shopping for their grandchildren on Monday. The Miami Beach residents wanted to buy shirts for their granddaughter and three grandsons, who live in Boston. Galen said she expects her grandkids to cheer for Team USA, as well as Lionel Messi and players from FC Barcelona in the World Cup this year.
Galen said she and her husband aren’t planning to attend any World Cup games in Miami. But they’re big soccer fans, and they’re looking forward to watching from home. “Messi’s our man,” she said.