Record Canary Islands Contingent Leads Spain’s Footgolf World Cup Bid
A record-breaking contingent of athletes from the Canary Islands is leading the Spanish delegation to the Footgolf World Cup in Acapulco with hopes of securing the nation's first-ever world title.
The Spanish delegation heading to Acapulco for the Footgolf World Cup features a record-breaking number of athletes from the Canary Islands, marking the largest island contingent in the history of Spain’s international participation. As reported by El Día, the team is traveling to Mexico with high hopes of improving on their previous two World Cup appearances, where they narrowly missed out on a podium finish.
The sport’s growth in the archipelago is evident in the diverse roster representing various categories. The open category includes Tenerife natives Cherre Bello, Sandro Rodríguez, Eduar González, and Iván Abreu, alongside Fuerteventura’s Abisay Padilla. The senior team features José López, Moisés Reyes, and Zeben Díaz from Tenerife, while Esther Montiel represents the women’s category. Samuel Padilla and former professional footballer Airam Cabrera will also compete in the individual bracket.
For veteran player Cherre Bello, this tournament marks a significant milestone, as it is likely his final World Cup. Since 2018, Bello has competed in multiple European and World Championships, witnessing firsthand the professionalization of the sport in Spain. He believes the national team has successfully closed the gap with powerhouses like Argentina, France, and Slovakia, making them strong contenders for the semifinals.
Team member Sandro Rodríguez credits this progress to an organizational restructuring that began two years ago. Rodríguez aims to improve upon his personal best—a 19th-place finish in Orlando—and help cement Spain’s status among the world’s elite.
Meanwhile, Eduar González’s journey highlights the resilience of athletes who have turned to footgolf after injuries ended their previous sporting careers. Supported by a dedicated team, González recently won the Spanish doubles championship and arrives in Mexico in peak physical condition. Together, these athletes are driven by a shared ambition: to bring home Spain’s first-ever world title.