As the FIFA World Cup soccer craze takes the U.S. by storm this summer, these men in the Diocese of San Bernardino had their own match — bringing together the faithful and the sports world.
The diocese’s annual “Priests versus Seminarians” soccer match on Friday, June 26 featured Catholic clergy facing off against priests-in-training on the field for a good cause.
The seminarians took the trophy at last year’s game, organizers said ahead of the match. This year, the diocesan priests worked to come back stronger — training, running, lifting more, they said.
This year the Seminarians again were victorious, with a 3-2 final score.
Bishop Alberto Rojas is introduced before the start of Diocese of San Bernardino’s annual Priests vs. Seminarians soccer match at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, Friday, June 26, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela/Contributing Photographer)
Diocese of San Bernardino hosted its annual Priests vs. Seminarians soccer match at Aquinas High School, on Friday, June 26, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela/Contributing Photographer)
Fans cheers during halftime of Diocese of San Bernardino’s annual Priests vs. Seminarians soccer match at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, Friday, June 26, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela/Contributing Photographer)
A group of fans raise up Father Oliver Osorio Machan of St. Francis of Rome, during halftime of the Diocese of San Bernardino’s annual Priests vs. Seminarians soccer match at Aquinas High Schoo in San Bernardino, on Friday, June 26, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela/Contributing Photographer)
Priest and Seminarians greet one another at midfield before the start of Diocese of San Bernardino’s annual Priests vs. Seminarians soccer match at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, Friday, June 26, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela/Contributing Photographer)
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Bishop Alberto Rojas is introduced before the start of Diocese of San Bernardino’s annual Priests vs. Seminarians soccer match at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, Friday, June 26, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela/Contributing Photographer)
“This is not just a game. This is pride. Brotherhood. Bragging rights. And the trophy,” organizers from the diocese said on its’ vocations office website.
On Friday night, crowds gathered at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino to watch the game, which for the first time included the diocese’s own Bishop Alberto Rojas.
The event was also a fundraiser to support the education and formation of future priests in the diocese, while providing a fun and family-friendly evening, organizers said.
The “World Cup-style” atmosphere included prizes, an auction of an official FIFA soccer ball signed by Rojas, parish banners, food vendors, and a lively cheering section, all adding to the “spirited” competition, organizers said.