Football in Cuba

Football in Cuba is run by the Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba.[1][2] The association administers the national football team, as well as the Campeonato Nacional.

Football in the Cuba
CountryCuba
Governing bodyAsociación de Fútbol de Cuba
National team(s)men's national team
Club competitions
International competitions

Football is the second most popular sport in Cuba after baseball. It has been very popular among young people and the new generations in Cuba.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Most Cubans either support Barcelona or Real Madrid from La Liga.[11][12]

Professional football

Professional sports have been forbidden by the Cuban government since 1961, but in 2016, Maikel Reyes became the first Cuban to be allowed to sign a professional contract with a foreign team when he joined Mexican third-tier side Cruz Azul Premier.[13] Until then, Cuban footballers who played professionally had done so without approval of the country's football association and after fleeing the country.

League system

2019
Level League(s)/Division(s)
1 Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Cuba
16 clubs

References
  1. Euan McTear (1970-01-01). "Cuba's route to football glory: a six-month training camp in North Korea | Football". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  2. "Baseball in Their Veins, but a New Ball at Their Feet". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  3. Pierce, Charles P. (20 July 2015). "Diplomatic Relations: The USMNT and Cuba Play Soccer in a Changing World".
  4. "Carmelo Anthony Explores The Rise Of Soccer In Cuba". 3 September 2015.
  5. Costa, Brian (9 June 2015). "Why Baseball Is Losing Its Grip on Cuba" – via Wall Street Journal.
  6. "Soccer Wins Over New Generation Of Fans In Cuba".
  7. "Wind of change ready to blow through Cuba". 30 April 2016.
  8. McTear, Euan. "Cuba embraces professional football after years in cold". CNN.
  9. Times, Los Angeles. "Soccer's popularity continues to rise in Cuba".
  10. "Baseball is in Cuba's blood, but soccer is stealing its heart - GrindTV.com". 20 January 2015.
  11. "Soccer Gains in Cuba Where Baseball is King". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  12. "As cuba Opens the Worlds Sport May Take Hold". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  13. Cuban revolution: Cuba embraces pro soccer after years out in the cold - CNN


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