By Belize Live News Staff: As the 2026 FIFA World Cup captivates football fans around the globe, one family with deep Belizean roots is showing how the country’s love for the beautiful game can extend far beyond its borders.
The Lindo family, now living in Los Angeles, has football running through its veins. At the center of that passion is father John Lindo, who says his earliest memories of the sport were formed on the streets of Belize.
“We grew up playing soccer in the streets. That’s all we did all day. Play soccer, eat mangoes, and go back to playing soccer,” Lindo recalled.
For many Belizeans, that description captures a childhood experience shared by generations of young football lovers across the country.
Today, John’s passion has become a family legacy. His three sons all play football and have developed impressive resumes of their own.
Twenty-year-old Raymond Lindo recently traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to compete in a tournament, while 16-year-old Jacob Lindo has trained with a Paris Saint-Germain academy and participated in competitions in France. The youngest, Marlon, continues developing his game under the guidance of his father.
Although Jacob is currently recovering from knee surgery, the family’s commitment to football remains stronger than ever. His recent birthday celebration was centered around the World Cup and his determination to return to the sport he loves.
For Belizeans watching the World Cup, the Lindo family’s story highlights something important: football remains one of Belize’s strongest cultural exports.
While Belize has yet to reach the World Cup stage itself, Belizean families continue producing talented players, passionate supporters, coaches, and ambassadors for the sport around the world.
From village fields and city streets in Belize to tournaments in Paris and Barcelona, the journey of the Lindo family demonstrates how far football dreams can travel.
As World Cup fever spreads across the globe, their story serves as a reminder that Belize’s football spirit is alive and well, both at home and abroad.
