A historic gathering unfolded in Durham, North Carolina, where the inaugural HBCU Football Club Classic brought together six‑on‑six matches and a one‑on‑one skills contest, showcasing the growing ambition of the HBCU FC to amplify Black college soccer culture ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A New Era for HBCU Soccer
The event, held at Durham County Memorial Stadium, featured teams such as Equality FC, The Yard FC, Unity FC and The Fight FC, each representing different HBCUs and community groups, while former collegiate player Raymond Brooks, who now leads digital development for HBCU FC, reflected on the tough choice between a predominantly white institution with a soccer program and an HBCU that lacked one.
Tatiana Ward, a junior at Virginia State University, spoke about the hostility she faced from white‑dominated teams, recalling name‑calling and controversy that underscored the broader struggle for acceptance within the sport.
The historical backdrop includes Howard University’s men’s soccer team, the first HBCU to capture NCAA Division I titles in 1971 and 1974, and Virginia State’s women’s side, which captured its first USCAA Small College National Championship last fall, illustrating the diverse successes across gender and conference lines.
Jacky Fulu Kiazayadioko, a winger from Shaw University raised in Charlotte and proud of his Democratic Republic of the Congo roots, expressed hope that the 2026 World Cup will revive the glory days of HBCU soccer, especially as DR Congo prepares to open its tournament campaign in Houston against Portugal.
Equality FC emerged as the champion of the Classic, donating its $5,000 prize purse to support further HBCU initiatives, and HBCU FC announced plans for a Match Day Tour this fall to spotlight student‑athletes from across the nation, signaling a sustained push to integrate HBCU soccer into the national conversation.