A group of young soccer players from Omaha recently earned a place in one of the most watched events in the sport.
The selection came through the FIFA World Cup player escort program, a role that places children on the field alongside professional athletes before a match.
These children belong to Football for the World, a nonprofit that has been providing free equipment, coaching and weekly play opportunities to hundreds of kids in eastern Omaha since its founding.
A Moment on the Pitch
Their journey took them to Kansas City, Missouri, where they walked onto the pitch with the Curaçao squad ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.
Before the game they shared a dinner, played informal matches and were celebrated like celebrities by the organizing committee.
Curaçao’s surprising 0‑0 draw with Ecuador marked a historic moment for the underdog nation, adding extra significance to the day.
Joe Marinkovich, the executive director of Football for the World, said the experience embodies the organization’s mission of opening doors for children who might otherwise never step onto a professional stage.
Monica Bosiljevac, who started the group after witnessing kids in Botswana playing without proper gear, reflected on how the program has grown from a small outreach to a global partnership.