The Soccer Tournament (TST), the 7v7 global soccer festival bringing together top players, celebrities, and clubs from around the world to compete for three $1 million, winner-take-all prizes, announced Monday that Villarreal CF will return to Cary. The Spanish club’s 2026 squad will be led on the pitch by six-time NFL Pro Bowler Chad Johnson.
Johnson will make his third TST appearance after competing with Nati SC in 2023 and 2024. The 11-year NFL veteran has an extensive history on a soccer pitch, including a trial with Sporting Kansas City in 2011, five appearances with Boca Raton FC (NPSL) in 2019, and serving as an analyst for FOX Sports’ 2022 FIFA World Cup coverage.
Villarreal CF, a LaLiga club from Spain, will return to Cary this May for the third-straight year, reaching the knockout stages in 2024 and 2025. In addition to Johnson, their squad will once again feature club legends and aspiring youth prospects. Full player announcements for Villarreal’s 2026 TST squad will be made at a later date via official team and TST social media accounts.
New and other competing teams and participants will be announced over the course of the next few weeks.
Fans can sign up for the 2026 TST ticket waitlist at https://tst7v7.com/tickets/waitlist/.