October 29, 2026
An illustration honoring Garita Palmera and Barra de Santiago’s participation in the 2026 World Winners Cup in Turkey. AI-generated for Our Life in El Salvador; does not depict the actual players.
Two teams from Ahuachapán have completed their participation in the World Winners Cup in Alanya, Turkey. Garita Palmera’s men finished 17th, while Barra de Santiago’s women placed 10th.
Neither team advanced to the championship knockout rounds. However, both continued into placement matches on October 29, with Garita Palmera closing its first appearance in the competition with a convincing victory.
For those of us living in this part of El Salvador, seeing these coastal communities represented internationally carries special meaning. The results matter, but so does the opportunity to compete against clubs from around the world.
Garita Palmera Finishes With a 12–3 Victory
Garita Palmera ended its campaign by defeating Italy’s Naxos 12–3 in the match for 17th place.
According to tournament organizer Beach Soccer Worldwide, José Oliver and Lonis Calero established an early lead. Garita continued to build its advantage and finished with its highest-scoring performance of the tournament.
The victory followed a difficult group stage. Garita lost its opening match 5–2 to Belgium’s Union Vrede, then earned a 5–3 win over BSC Malaisary of Kazakhstan.
Its final group match brought a narrow 7–6 defeat against France’s Marseille BT. Garita remained competitive until the closing moments, but the result left the team outside the championship knockout rounds.
Although the players would have wanted to advance further, finishing their first World Winners Cup appearance with a victory gives them something positive to bring home.
Barra de Santiago Finishes 10th
Barra de Santiago’s women completed their tournament with a 3–0 defeat against Ukraine’s BSC Partizanochka in the match for ninth place. That result placed the Salvadoran team 10th overall.
Earlier, Barra opened its group campaign with a 4–1 loss to Brazil’s Ceilândia. The team responded by defeating Belgium’s Union Vrede 4–2.
Its final group match against Spain’s Higicontrol Melilla was especially close. The teams remained level at 2–2 through extra time before Melilla won the penalty shootout 3–2.
That distinction matters when reading the result. Barra did not lose the match 3–2 during regular play. The match finished 2–2, and the separate shootout decided the winner.
The Teams’ Results at a Glance
| Stage | Garita Palmera men | Barra de Santiago women |
|---|---|---|
| First group match | Lost 2–5 to Union Vrede | Lost 1–4 to Ceilândia |
| Second group match | Beat BSC Malaisary 5–3 | Beat Union Vrede 4–2 |
| Final group match | Lost 6–7 to Marseille BT | Drew 2–2 with Higicontrol Melilla; lost shootout 2–3 |
| Placement match | Beat Naxos 12–3 | Lost 0–3 to BSC Partizanochka |
| Final placing | 17th | 10th |
Why They Played After Group-Stage Elimination
Reports that both teams had been eliminated could understandably leave readers thinking their tournament was over.
They had lost the opportunity to compete for the championship. However, the competition also included placement matches for teams that did not advance.
These games determined their final positions. For Garita Palmera, that meant playing Naxos for 17th place. Barra de Santiago faced Partizanochka for ninth.
This is why the October 29 results are an important part of the story. They complete the picture of how both Salvadoran teams finished.
Bringing International Experience Back to Ahuachapán
Garita Palmera and Barra de Santiago each recorded a group-stage victory. Both also experienced how small the margin can be in a decisive match: one goal against Marseille and a penalty shootout against Melilla.
Competing internationally gives players and coaches an opportunity to assess their preparation against unfamiliar opponents. The value comes in what they take from those matches and apply when they return.
For Garita Palmera, this was a first appearance. Barra brought previous experience, but still faced a demanding competition.
There is room to recognize their effort while being honest about the outcome. Neither team reached the championship rounds, and both will have areas to improve.
A Journey Worth Following
When we introduced these teams before their departure, the story was about two Ahuachapán communities taking their places on an international stage.
Now we can report how that journey finished: 17th place for Garita Palmera and 10th for Barra de Santiago, with victories, close defeats, and lessons along the way.
I am glad we followed their participation. These communities are part of our region, and their players deserve recognition for representing them abroad. Hopefully, the experience will help both teams prepare for their next opportunity.
Based on reporting from Diario El Salvador and official results published by Beach Soccer Worldwide.
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