Days away from the kickoff of the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium, some of soccer’s most influential figures gathered in Coral Gables—not to play, but to talk business. The Ole Soccer Miami conference, held June 12 at the historic Coral Gables Country Club, offered an opportunity to witness the convergence of global sport and commerce – all with the City Beautiful as the backdrop.
FIFA (soccer’s governing body) President Gianni Infantino delivered opening remarks via video, followed by panel discussions that included World Cup and FC Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov, iconic Univision commentator Andrés Cantor, officials from Inter Miami CF, and other high-profile names from across the international soccer landscape. The event served as a networking hub for decision-makers ahead of what is set to be the summer’s largest global soccer competition.
If city leaders have their way, this is only the beginning.
“I’d like to welcome you all to the City Beautiful,” said Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago as he kicked off the proceedings. “This is not the City of Miami. This is Coral Gables—don’t get confused. This is the gateway to the Americas. This is the home of soccer.”
Lago highlighted Coral Gables’ growing role in the global soccer scene, referencing the city’s successful efforts to attract major international organizations. “I had the privilege of hosting FIFA when they were considering moving to South Florida,” he said. “It was between the City of Coral Gables and Miami—and they chose the Gables. Today, we take another giant step forward with Ole coming here, to the largest platform that discusses soccer internationally in Spanish. That’s incredibly important.”
The city’s biggest win to date came in 2024, when FIFA officially opened its North American headquarters in Coral Gables. The new 60,000-square-foot office at 396 Alhambra Circle -just steps from Miracle Mile and sharing space with HBO – houses the global governing body’s Legal and Compliance Division. Approximately 100 staff relocated from FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich to work out of the new location as preparations ramp up for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“For the last 100 years, FIFA was based in Zurich, but we are a global association,” said Emilio Garcia Silvero, FIFA’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer. “By establishing this office in (Coral Gables), we reach 10 member associations in South America and 35 more in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.”
Miami is slated to host up to five matches in next year’s FIFA World Cup. Until then, the eyes of the world very much be focused on FIFA and by extension the Gables. Lago wants to the city to make the most of the exposure.
“The City Beautiful is open for business. We have 150 multinationals, 22 consulates and growing – we will be announcing another Latin American country joining us in next couple of weeks.
“Why do people choose the City Beautiful? This is an inclusive community. We are 5 minutes away from the airport. We are opening new restaurants and world class facilities and bringing organizations like FIFA, Ryder, Apple just in the last few months,” Lago said.
Belkys Perez, the city’s economic development director, agrees and says that FIFA’s decision reflects on the work the city has done to attract major organizations.
“We’re proud that FIFA has chosen Coral Gables for its North American offices. Its presence here not only reflects the city’s strong reputation as a desirable location for global organizations but also brings significant benefits to our local economy—whether it is hotel stays, restaurant visits, or other services that support both residents and visitors alike.
“This growth is a testament to Coral Gables’ strategic location, high-quality office space, and the welcoming environment we provide for businesses. We have long focused on creating a dynamic, business-friendly environment that attracts organizations like FIFA. Our city’s strong ties to the international community, along with our dynamic downtown with a plethora of dining and hotel options, make us a natural fit for global events like the FIFA Club World Cup, the Ole Summit, and related workshops.
“We look forward to continuing to work with FIFA and other organizations.”
Coral Gables has already proven it’s capable of playing host to the world. Earlier this year, it welcomed a delegation from FIFA’s Member Associations division for a workshop that brought dozens of international officials to the Biltmore Hotel. It also served as the site for key planning meetings between FIFA and local organizing committees.
The city’s soccer roots run even deeper. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee also has offices in the city and its President & CEO Alina Hudak is the wife of Coral Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak. The co-chair of the host committee is Rodney Barreto, a prominent lobbyist and businessman with ties to the city and offices in its downtown. He has chaired the Super Bowl Host Committee a record three times in 2007, 2010 and 2020 and helped raise more than $100-million dollars and innumerable in-kind contributions.
Inter Miami CF – now one of the most recognized clubs in world football thanks to the arrival of Lionel Messi in 2023 – had its original offices in Coral Gables’ Douglas Entrance complex. The Mas family, co-owners of the club and leaders of infrastructure giant MasTec, still have their headquarters there today. The northern edge of Coral Gables sits just 1.5 miles from Miami Freedom Park, which is set to open next year as Inter Miami’s permanent home stadium.
To view the Ole Soccer Summit in Coral Gables click here.
