The World Cup is coming to Miami. Here's what to know about Lionel Messi's adopted home area

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Welcome to South Florida, home of the three-time NBA champion Miami Heat, two-time Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins, two-time World Series champion Miami Marlins and two-time Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Oh, and reigning MLS Cup champion Inter Miami. That means this World Cup is coming to Lionel Messi's neighborhood.

Messi and defending champion Argentina aren't locks to play in Miami Gardens during this World Cup; if Argentina wins Group J, as many will likely expect, it would play the runner-up from Group H in a Round of 32 game on July 3.

The only other possible pathway for Messi to play in South Florida during the World Cup is if Argentina loses a semifinal and ends up in the third-place match.

Cristiano Ronaldo' s team, however, is certain to have at least one match in Miami Gardens. Among the teams guaranteed to play in South Florida at some point in this World Cup: Scotland, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cape Verde, Colombia and Portugal — Ronaldo's squad.

That is a melting pot of teams, with Asia, Africa, South America and Europe all represented.

By land and by sea, there are no shortage of ways to experience the sights and sounds of South Florida. A few key spots:

— For art, Miami's Wynwood neighborhood is can't-miss. It even features some one-of-a-kind soccer balls turned into artwork. Also, check out the Frost Science Museum — it's mind-blowingly good.

— Can't miss the beaches. Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach and countless places in between, they're all worth the trip.

— To the south are the Florida Keys, which tend to take one back in time. Some spots like Key Largo are maybe an hour's drive from Miami; Key West is a few hours away, but is a place like none other.

Whatever you want, South Florida's got.

The Little Havana neighborhood of Miami is the heartbeat of the city's Cuban culture, with no shortage of places to get your fill of Ropa vieja and Cuban sandwiches. (Coffee lovers, if you've never had Cuban coffee, it's a must. An acquired taste, sure, but go for it.)

There's upscale dining everywhere, steaks, Italian, sushi, an old-timey diner on South Beach with omelets that could feed half a soccer team, street vendors, pop-up places, trendy, whatever you're looking for. Bring patience and plan ahead — these will be busy times in Miami, a city that has lots of everything, including traffic.

A FIFA Fan Festival is planned at Miami's Bayfront Park, with up to 30,000 fans expected daily there to watch matches on giant screens and other programming inside a giant amphitheater. Another fan zone is planned on Miami Beach and some county parks are also lining up World Cup programming and celebrations.

Be patient. Traffic is bad here when the World Cup isn't happening. It's even bad here when almost nothing is happening.

A couple of good options to consider would be Freebee, an on-demand electric transportation service, and the Brightline trains that connect Miami with Palm Beach County and beyond.

The good news is that the stadium's canopy roof provides at least some protection from sun and rain, especially the seats further back from the playing surface.

But it's Miami (Miami Gardens, technically, since the stadium is north of the actual city of Miami). It's going to be hot. It's going to be sunny. Drink tons of water. Wear sunblock. Wear a hat. Wear light-colored clothing.

The stadium itself is easy to get around and the sound system and video boards are top-notch. But be prepared for a long, hot day or night.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

FILE - Surfers gather off shore waiting for a wave, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, Haulover Park in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2017, file photo, local residents and tourists enjoy a day at the beach in the South Beach area of Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)

CHICAGO (AP) — Rikuu Nishida was all smiles. There were hugs and laughter. So much laughter.

Nishida has brought his infectious enthusiasm to the major leagues.

“I just love the game of baseball,” he said.

Nishida joined the Chicago White Sox on Monday after he was brought up from Triple-A Charlotte. He played mostly second base in the minors, but he started in right field for his major league debut against Minnesota.

The 25-year-old Nishida threw out Orlando Arcia when he attempted to score from second on Alex Jackson's single in the second, earning a loud cheer from the crowd on a sunny afternoon at Rate Field. He struck out swinging in his first at-bat.

Jarred Kelenic was designated for assignment. The veteran outfielder batted .226 with a homer and four RBIs in 19 games with the White Sox.

Listed at 5-foot-6 and 150 pounds, Nishida hit .347 with a homer and 10 RBIs in 33 games at Charlotte. He also swiped nine bags in 13 attempts and stealing 40 bases in the minors last year.

“A guy that plays above-average defense at multiple positions," White Sox manager Will Venable said. "He can play second base. He can play everywhere in the outfield. Really good at-bat quality, where he's making good swing decisions, making a lot of contact. A really good baserunner. A guy that brings us a lot of energy that we're excited to have.”

With Nishida and first baseman Munetaka Murakami, Chicago joined Philadelphia (2008) and Seattle (2012) as the teams in major league history with two Japanese-born position players in the same starting lineup, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Murakami, 26, signed a $34 million, two-year contract with the White Sox in December. He hit his team-high 18th homer in the first inning against the Twins.

“He's strong. He has a big leadership,” Nishida said through an interpreter. “He's like a dad to me. You can just rely on him all the time.”

Nishida is the fifth Japanese-born player to play for the White Sox, also joining Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07) and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012).

He has No. 51 with Chicago in homage to countryman Ichiro Suzuki, a Hall of Fame outfielder who spent most of his MLB career with the Seattle Mariners. He met Suzuki last year and received a bat signed by the Japanese star.

“I can't put into words how much of a great player Ichiro is,” Nishida said. “I mean I can't even say Ichiro. I can't even say Mr. Ichiro. He's a legend, and I can't put into words how much he means to me and how much of a player he is.”

Nishida played two seasons at Mt. Hood Community College before spending one year at the University of Oregon. He was selected by the White Sox in the 11th round of the 2023 amateur draft.

He is the ninth Japan-born player to go in the draft and appear in at least one major league game, according to Sportradar. Stephen Randolph, who was drafted in 1995 and made his debut with Arizona in 2003, was the last player to join the list.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Chicago White Sox's Rikuu Nishida, of Japan, leaves after talking to media before a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Chicago, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago White Sox's Rikuu Nishida, of Japan, talks to media before a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Chicago, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago White Sox's Rikuu Nishida, of Japan, talks to media before a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Chicago, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago White Sox's Rikuu Nishida, of Japan, warms up before a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Chicago, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)