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.
Landmarks/places to seeBy 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.
