[Paris, France - 19 February 2026] On 19 February, more than 200 Special Olympics athletes, Unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities), and media convened at the City Hall in Paris, France for a landmark moment: the official unveiling of the 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams selected to compete in the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026. The announcement marked a powerful step toward the tournament, bringing together athletes, partners, and global media in celebration of unity, competition, and inclusion.
From 5 – 11 July, on the football grounds of the Charléty Stadium and on the Paris International University Campus, 24 Unified teams from across the globe will compete for the coveted title.
Special Olympics International President and Chief Executive Officer David Evangelista shared the hopes for what the Unified Football World Cup aims to achieve, “This summer, Paris will become a global capital of inclusion. Together with our remarkable athletes, we will show the world that when we play Unified, we can live Unified, too.”
“This event will not end at the final whistle. The legacy of the Cup, both national and global, is of paramount importance. In partnership with the French authorities and the French sport movement, Special Olympics France and national Special Olympics organizations around the world, intend to expand its inclusive programs over the next five years; including Athlete Leaders, Health and Wellness Activities, and grassroots Unified initiatives, with the goal of Paris 2026 creating a long-lasting impact.”
"I would like to warmly thank Jacques Rivoal, Chairman of Paris 2026; Pierre Dejoux, President of Special Olympics France; Paris FC and its President Pierre Ferracci; the French Football Federation; Natalia Vodianova, Member of the Special Olympics Board of Directors, for her continued dedication to our mission; and all of our partners whose belief, generosity, and long-term commitment make this fantastic event possible."
This will be the first time that the Unified Football World Cup will be held in France and outside the USA, with the support of the French Central Government through its Sports Ministry, City of Paris, Greater Paris Metropolis, Ile-de-France Region, French Football Federation, Paris FC, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Nike (Premium Partner), The Coca-Cola Company (Official Partner), Deloitte (First Official Partner), Sanofi (Health Official Partner), Saur (Official Partner), Invivo (Official Supporter), Cite Internationale (With the Involvement of), United Airlines (Official Supporter), and Otis (Official Supporter).
Selected teams:
Men's: France (host), Bharat (India), Brazil, China, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Libya, Paraguay, Senegal, Spain, United Arab Emirates
Women's: France (host), Azerbaijan, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Namibia, Slovakia, Thailand, USA
Each team will include players aged 16 – 23 with intellectual disabilities, alongside Unified partners. As the host, Special Olympics France will field two teams, one Women’s and one Men’s. Their Unified partners will be players from the Paris FC Academy.
Present at the announcement were representatives of Special Olympics, the Local Organizing Committee, French Central Government, Greater Paris Authority, French Football Federation, City of Paris, Île-de-France Region Authority, and Paris FC.
Gilmour Borg, Football player and Special Olympics Sargent Shriver Global Messenger, shared, “Playing unified Football changed my life because it showed me that when people with and without disabilities come together, we become stronger as one team. I didn’t feel different. I felt equal, supported, and proud to be part of something bigger than myself.”
He added, “Sport builds confidence, creates opportunities, and gives people a voice to express themselves. When we play together, support each other, and believe in inclusion, we don’t just change the game…we change lives.”
Competing teams shared their ongoing football development plans, in partnership with their home Special Olympics Programs/country football clubs and football federation, as part of the application process and criteria for selection in the Cup. This requirement ensured that participation in the Cup would extend far beyond the competition itself, serving as a powerful catalyst for sustained investment, expanded opportunities, and long-term growth of inclusive Football in each country for years to come.
The next milestone on the road to the Cup is 16 April Draw Ceremony at French Football Federation headquarters in Paris, where group-stage matchups for both the Men’s and Women’s divisions will be set.
With the tournament featuring 12 Men’s and 12 Women’s teams, and a champion crowned in each division, there will be two draws done on the 16th outlining the round-robin matchups in both tournament’s Group Stage play.
To begin the ceremony, host Special Olympics France will be drawn first and placed in Group A. The Draw is structured to ensure each group reflects representation from multiple continental regions. This process will then be repeated for Groups B, C, and D in both men’s and women’s competitions.
Team Makeup
Each men’s team will consist of 16 players: 9 teammates with intellectual disability, and 7 Unified partners.
For the men’s teams, 11 footballers play at the same time, meaning there will always be 6 Special Olympics teammates and 5 Unified partners on the field.
Each women’s team consists of 11 players: 6 teammates with intellectual disability, and 5 Unified partners.
For the women’s teams, 7 footballers play at the same time, meaning there will always be 4 Special Olympics teammates and 3 Unified partners on the field.
There will be 2 coaches per team.
At Paris 2026, Special Olympics International and Special Olympics France aim to build a strong and lasting legacy benefiting the maximum number of people with and without intellectual disabilities through the power of football.
