A Global Celebration of Inclusion
The Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026 is set to unfold across Paris, turning the City of Light into a stage for sport that bridges differences. Twelve women's teams and twelve men's squads will compete, each built around a model that pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same side of the pitch.
In the women's tournament, eleven‑player sides will operate in a 7‑a‑side format, while the men's competition will feature eleven‑a‑side matches with sixteen‑player rosters. The structure ensures that nine players with intellectual disabilities are paired with seven Unified partners on every team, creating a dynamic where collaboration is as central as competition.
Beyond the Pitch
The tournament extends far beyond the 90 minutes on the field. Health screenings, interactive sports experiences and development programmes for young athletes will run alongside the matches, offering participants a holistic experience that nurtures wellbeing and ambition.
Stadiums such as Charléty, PUC, Dalmasso and the West Stadium will host the games, each venue chosen to showcase the diversity of Parisian spaces while providing accessible environments for all competitors.
Special Olympics France, which currently supports more than 1,600 footballers — including 1,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 300 Unified partners — has been instrumental in scouting talent and building the teams that will represent the nation.
Volunteers, officials and sponsors have rallied behind the initiative, underscoring a collective belief that sport can be a powerful catalyst for social change. The event will serve as a living demonstration of how teamwork, commitment and inclusive design can reshape communities.
A Vision of Unity
Organisers stress that the World Cup is not merely a competition but a platform for promoting inclusion on a global scale. By bringing together participants from France and beyond, the tournament aims to inspire future generations to view differences as strengths rather than barriers.
The presence of figures such as David Evangelista, Julien Collette and Margaret Turley, who have championed the cause within the Special Olympics movement, adds a personal dimension to the narrative, highlighting the human stories that drive the organisation’s mission.
As the tournament draws nearer, anticipation builds not only for the matches themselves but for the broader impact on policies, perceptions and the everyday lives of people with intellectual disabilities. The world will be watching as Paris becomes a laboratory of inclusion, proving that when sport is designed for everyone, the possibilities are limitless.