cuba made history…

…as the first Caribbean nation to grace the FIFA World Cup stage in 1938. Despite being founding members of CONCACAF, ‘Los Leones del Carribe’ have yet to roar on the international footballing scene since.

In 1961, Fidel Castro outlawed professional sports in pursuit of equality – football included. However noble this cause may have been, it led to perpetual amateurism in the sport. The biggest country in the Caribbean Sea, with a population of 11 million people, still searches for a footballing icon that can inspire the next generation.

Raúl Castro’s media reforms in the 21st century opened the doors to international football broadcasts, reigniting passion for football in the nation, particularly for La Liga powerhouses like Real Madrid and Barcelona amongst Cuban youth, yet professionalism remains a challenge.

But, amidst all, Cuban football preserves its purity, embodying the true essence of the beautiful game – here, where streets are stadiums, and the laughter of children kicking a ball echoes through every neighbourhood, football lives on.