24 Youth Soccer Teams Punch Their Ticket to the Road to the Cup, Presented by Reliant, Finals at FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston

After two weekends of competitive play, 24 standout youth soccer teams have earned their right to play at FIFA Fan Festival ™ Houston this summer in the Road to the Cup, presented by Reliant 7v7 Youth Soccer Tournament Finals.

The qualifying teams emerged from 126 teams representing 55 youth soccer clubs, with more than 1,500 athletes participating in the tournament. Now, the top teams across 12 age divisions will take the field on the Aramco Pitch this summer, competing in a one-of-a-kind championship environment in the heart of the city’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ celebrations.

Finalists will represent the following divisions:

• Boys: U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18/19

• Girls: U11, U12, U13/14, U15

“These teams represent the very best of youth soccer across our region, and their journey to the finals reflects the passion and growth we’re seeing in the sport at the grassroots level,” said Minal Davis, Chief Legacy Officer of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee. “Our commitment goes beyond hosting matches; we want to spread the excitement of this once-in-a-generation global opportunity of hosting a FIFA World Cup and create memories that will last a lifetime.”

As the presenting organization, Reliant continues to demonstrate its commitment to growing the game of soccer at the grassroots level by investing in opportunities for young athletes to compete, develop, and experience the sport in new and exciting ways.

“Reliant is proud to support initiatives like Road to the Cup that create meaningful opportunities for young athletes to play, grow, and be inspired by the game of soccer,” said Katie Register, Director of Sponsorship Marketing for Reliant Energy. “Providing these players with the chance to compete at FIFA Fan Festival Houston is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we’re excited to help bring that moment to life for so many talented teams.”

Adding to the excitement, McDonald's will sponsor the Player of the Match awards during the finals, recognizing standout performances in each championship game and celebrating the achievements of these young athletes on a global stage.