The Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media recently welcomed students, faculty, and guests for Road to the World Cup, a special showcase celebrating original student documentaries inspired by the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hosted in collaboration with the Student Professional Journalism FIU Chapter, the event marked the culmination of the School’s inaugural Road to the World Cup course, where students spent the semester researching, reporting, filming, and producing documentaries connected to one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
The evening was emceed by legendary journalist Lesley Visser, the first woman inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who helped guide the audience through a night of storytelling. Alongside Dr. Luis Gonzalez, Visser played a key role in shaping the course and mentoring students throughout the documentary-making process.
The showcase featured a strong turnout and gave students the opportunity to present their final films to peers, faculty, and industry professionals. Each documentary explored a unique angle of how South Florida is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and its impact on the community.
Following the screenings, a panel of judges deliberated before choosing the winner. The star-studded panel included Dean Brian Schriner, Lee Caplin, Susan Jacobson, Chuck Strouse, Luis Gonzalez, and Manny Garcia.
From start to finish, the event served as a celebration of student talent, innovation, and collaboration.
After a successful semester working with the students, Visser reflected on the experience, saying, “I had the privilege of teaching this class with Dr. Luis Gonzalez. The students were so creative, collaborative, and enthusiastic.”
The evening concluded with the announcement of this year’s standout documentary, The Payoff, as the winning film.
Created by students Esteban Rodriguez, Jose Carlos Rodriguez, Alejandro Hernandez, and Elijah Strader, The Payoff explores Miami as it prepares to host seven FIFA World Cup matches. The documentary follows a father, a reporter, and local businesses in a city caught between opportunity and the true cost of hosting one of the world’s largest sporting events.
While every project left a lasting impression, The Payoff stood out for its thoughtful reporting, compelling storytelling, and timely examination of how global events shape local communities.
As a special surprise, Visser also presented the team behind The Payoff with tickets to a 2026 FIFA World Cup match, making the celebration even more unforgettable. Hear from the winners themselves:
Congratulations to all of the Caplin students whose hard work made the showcase such a success and to the team behind The Payoff for earning this year’s top honor.
