J. Gregory Gerdel
MONTPELIER — While soccer fans across the globe tune in to the 2026 World Cup competition, locals are gearing up for the smaller World Soccer Festival on Aug. 22 at the Montpelier High School, with a registration deadline of Aug. 4.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features 3v3 small-field games for boys and girls based on the school grade levels they will enter this fall: 3–4, 5–6, or 7–8. The international flavor of the day extends to an adult-level exhibition game that will include players from several Central American countries, said organizer Emmanuel Riby Williams, a physical education teacher at Union Elementary school.
The festival also has a parade, music by Sambatucada, face painting, and a variety of international food options during the lunch break.
For details and the registration form, go to worldsoccerfestival.org
