Today is Julian Bissette’s 16th birthday. His father picked him up from school and gave him his a one-of-a-kind birthday surprise.
The Santa Rosa Crossing resident learned that he will travel to Saint Lucia to play in the World Cup Qualifiers next month. He’ll represent that country against teams from other island nations. The winning team has a chance at FIFA’s Youth World Cup.
The reality hasn’t fully sunk in for Bissette yet.
“ Playing soccer growing up, I just figured it’d be some hobby. I never thought I’d be able to play to the international level,” Bissette told InMaricopa. “It’s just it’s like a dream and even talking right now, it’s just insane.”
What a birthday.
The 6-foot-1 Bissette plays striker and center attacking midfield, the conductor of offensive soccer plays.
“I’ve been tried to get more involved in the attack and win those 50-50 balls. I’m trying to win headers,” he said.
His skills, recorded and posted online, got the attention of scouts at FIFA. His father took the call giving him the good news.
“We’re so proud. He’s worked so hard,” said Andre Bissette, Julian’s father.
Andre is the reason his son is able to play for Saint Lucia. FIFA requires family ties to one of the nations, and Julian’s family lineage traces through the small Caribbean island country through his father’s side. Although generations removed, the Bissette family still has a farm on the island.
Watch the reaction!
Beyond soccer, Julian is excited to tap into those family roots he has never fully known.
“ I’m mixed. And it’s hard to know that I live one place and I have one identity,” explained Julian. “I’m a suburban kid from Maricopa, but on the other side, I have such deep, rich history with a family that obviously knows about me and loves me.
“This call-up almost feels like a doorway into that world that I just haven’t seen yet. And it’ll just be so cool once I’m gonna be able to just experience that.”
Saint Lucia will play three other North American national teams; Jamaica, El Salvador and the Cayman Islands. The winning team qualifies for the 2026 U-20 World Cup, played in Chile.
The qualifying tournament begins Feb. 7.
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