Playa del Carmen Hosts Street Soccer State Finals

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The “From the Streets to the Pitch” program, organized by Street Soccer Mexico in collaboration with the Telmex-Telcel Foundation, will hold its state elimination round in the heart of the Riviera Maya. The event aims to promote the social reintegration of individuals who have faced marginalization, using sports as a tool for personal transformation.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Chocolate Story Museum in Playa del Carmen, where details of the tournament—scheduled for July 18–20 at the iconic Plaza 28 de Julio—were shared.

A Platform for Change

Alberto López Castro, Director General of the Municipal Sports Institute of Playa del Carmen, was joined by Heriberto Espejel, Operational Director of the “From the Streets to the Pitch” program, Wilberth Flores, Northern Zone Subdelegate of the Quintana Roo Sports Commission (CODEQ), and Councilman Saúl Barbosa Heredia, President of the Municipal Commission for Education, Culture, and Sports.

López Castro expressed gratitude for Playa del Carmen’s selection as the host city for the state elimination round, noting that the municipality has previously welcomed the tournament. He reaffirmed the commitment of Mayor Estefanía Mercado’s administration to supporting youth development through sports and social programs.

“The program has been instrumental in helping young people change their lifestyles through sports, and today they serve as agents of change in their neighborhoods,” López Castro said. He also announced that Playa del Carmen will soon have a dedicated street soccer field, the first of its kind in southern Mexico.

A Legacy of Transformation

Heriberto Espejel highlighted the program’s nearly 25-year history of supporting participants in achieving significant personal growth. Initially limited to a few states, the initiative expanded nationwide in 2010 with the backing of the Telmex-Telcel Foundation. Today, it stands as one of Mexico’s most consolidated social programs, with high participation rates.

Espejel expressed confidence that Quintana Roo would field strong teams in both men’s and women’s categories, aiming to compete in the national tournament and ultimately represent Mexico at the 2025 Homeless World Cup in Oslo, Norway.

State and National Support

Wilberth Flores Coral, representing Jacobo Arzate Hop, President of the Quintana Roo Sports Commission, emphasized the importance of teamwork in supporting youth initiatives. He encouraged local soccer players to participate and strive for a spot in the national event.

“The foundation has long supported Mexican athletic talent,” Flores said, citing basketball player Eduardo Nájera as an example of a successful beneficiary. “Sports are a tool for change, and CODEQ will continue to support those seeking to improve their communities.”

Recent Achievements and Expectations

In the 2024 Homeless World Cup, Mexico’s teams claimed victory in both the men’s and women’s divisions, defeating Romania and England, respectively. Quintana Roo’s women’s team also made history by securing third place in the 2024 national tournament—the first time a team from the state reached the podium.

For this year’s state elimination round, 15 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams from six municipalities have registered. The event promises to showcase both competitive spirit and the transformative power of sports.