FC Barcelona is holding a week-long camp for some of the DMV’s best soccer players.
WASHINGTON — As the U.S. men’s national soccer team advances through the World Cup, young soccer players in the Washington area are drawing inspiration from the tournament while learning from coaches affiliated with one of the world’s most successful clubs.
Dozens of children attended an FC Barcelona youth soccer camp this week at RFK Stadium, where players worked on skills such as spacing, teamwork, and ball movement while following World Cup matches each night.
For many families, soccer has become a central part of daily life.
“My son does nothing but soccer — and mathematics, of course — but he’s crazy about soccer,” said Mehran Erfani from Middleburg, whose son attended the camp.
Nine-year-olds Parker Sheehan and Naomi Blakeney said they closely follow World Cup matches and analyze the sport well beyond their years. Naomi said she plans her evenings around the tournament schedule, often finishing dinner quickly so she doesn’t miss kickoff.
The young players said watching elite teams has helped them better understand strategy and decision-making on the field.
“Spain just does everything for a reason,” Parker said. “They’re not just kicking the ball to nowhere. They’re using the space to their advantage.”
The World Cup has also become a bonding experience for families. Gabriel Ascunce of Leesburg said he and his son predict scores before matches and spend time discussing players and games together.
“We try to predict what the scores are before every single match of the day,” he said. “It’s just a great time for him and I to hang out and bond.”
The camp is one of 40 stops on FC Barcelona’s youth training program across the United States. Parents said they hope opportunities like these help grow the sport’s popularity and accessibility as soccer continues to gain momentum in the country.
The United States men’s national team has already secured a place in the knockout round after victories over Paraguay and Australia. It is scheduled to conclude group play against Turkiye on Thursday night in Los Angeles.