In the heart of Guatemala, a revolution in sports is unfolding. CD Holcattes, named after the fierce Mayan warriors, is blazing a trail in the world of phygital sports. With an electrifying blend of physical skill and digital mastery, the team has stormed onto the global stage, earning a guaranteed spot at The Games of the Future (GOTF) 2025 in the Phygital Football discipline.
A Legacy in the Making
CD Holcattes was founded with one goal: to dominate at GOTF 2024. The team quickly built a reputation by assembling an extraordinary mix of legendary athletes and elite gamers. Milton Nuñez (Former Honduras National Team and Sunderland), Julio César de León (Former Honduras National Team and Genoa), and Dwayne DeRosario (Former Canadian National Team and Toronto FC) brought their experience to a new competitive frontier.
The decision to include these high-caliber players was driven by a desire to make an impact not only in Guatemala but across Central America. Attracting players of this caliber is rare, but after experiencing the phygital concept at GOTF 2024, the players were inspired by these new, fast-paced disciplines, and were eager to participate again and share their experiences with athletes in their own countries.
“Phygital sports are changing the way we think about competition,” says Pablo Melgar, Owner of CD Holcattes.“Bringing in world-class athletes was a bold move, but we knew they would thrive in this new format. Now, we’re seeing the impact not just on the team, but on young players who want to be part of the next generation of phygital stars.”
The Next Chapter: Aiming Higher in 2025
CD Holcattes enters 2025 with an even stronger squad. Key players remain, while futsal specialists add new dimensions to the team’s strategy. The goal is clear: improve on last year’s 10th-place finish at GOTF 2024 and push even further in the competition. The team’s ranking for the 2024/2025 season speaks for itself—second in the world in Phygital Football, securing one of only two guaranteed spots for the UAE later this year.
As Guatemala’s first phygital club, CD Holcattes is driving the sport forward in the region. More athletes are getting involved, and the excitement continues to grow.
Building the Future: New Phygital Academies
The club is launching Phygital Football, Phygital Basketball, and Phygital Dancing academies to develop future talent. These programs will provide young athletes with elite training while making phygital sports accessible to local communities. The academies will focus on developing young talent with structured training programs, expanding phygital sports across Guatemala and Central America, and creating a clear pathway for the next generation of competitors.
By building a strong foundation, CD Holcattes is ensuring that new athletes rise through the ranks and compete at the highest level.
Eyes on the UAE – and Beyond
Momentum is building. CD Holcattes is ready for the world stage, with a team hungry for success. A strong performance at GOTF 2025 could turn Guatemala into a hub for phygital sports.
