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Journey to the Cup—Inclusion On and Off the Field

Every team at the 2026 Unified Football World Cup has a story to tell. In this series, meet the athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and officials whose journeys to Paris are filled with determination, friendship, and inclusion. These stories celebrate the power of football to bring people together, on and off the field.

Pradeep Bisht - Coach - Special Olympics Bharat (SOAP) - Men’s Team

Pradeep Bisht - Coach - Special Olympics Bharat (India) (Asia Pacific) Men’s Team

For Coach Pradeep Bisht, a promising football career was abruptly ended by injury. Instead of walking away from the sport, Pradeep found a new purpose: coaching with Special Olympics. He built an extensive coaching background through multiple certifications and football development programs. Coaching in Unified Sports challenged him to rethink communication, patience, and leadership. Rather than relying only on instruction, he learned the importance of demonstration, repetition, and adapting to how each athlete learns best. Recognizing that Unified partners sometimes unintentionally dominated play, Pradeep redesigned training sessions to encourage shared responsibility, teamwork, and equal participation on the field. Beyond tactics and results, he focuses on helping athletes build confidence, learn from setbacks, and respect both teammates and opponents.

Sanou Djeneba - Athlete, Team Co-Captain - Special Olympics Côte d’Ivoire (SOA) - Women’s Team

Sanou Djeneba - Athlete, Team Co-Captain - Special Olympics Côte d’Ivoire (Africa) Women’s Team

Sanou Djeneba, captain of the women’s Unified football team for Special Olympics Côte d’Ivoire, grew up in a family of 19. She joined Special Olympics at the age of 12—and quickly discovered sport as a place where she could build confidence, leadership, and friendships. An accomplished all-around athlete, she proudly represented Côte d’Ivoire at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, winning a gold medal in women’s handball. Sanou is ready to lead her team at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Paris as a captain, hoping to inspire her teammates while pursuing another gold medal for Côte d’Ivoire. Sanou has also put forth the same determination in her studies, earning a higher technical diploma in civil engineering.

Huang “Xiao Liang” Haoliang and Xin Jian - Unified Teammates - Special Olympics China (SOEA) - Men's Team

Huang “Xiao Liang” Haoliang and Xin Jian - Unified Teammates - Special Olympics China (East Asia) Men's Team

As “Xiao Liang” and Xin Jian prepare to compete at the Unified Cup, they find strength in their history of supporting each other as teammates and cheering each other on in life. Xiao put in the hours staying late after many practices repeating drills, studying his teammates’ movements and skills closely, and approaching every training session with focus and excitement. Xin Jian, a Unified partner and sophomore at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, has seen his effectiveness as a player develop through balancing patience, communication, and encouragement. Their partnership became solidified after one of their first practices together, when Xiao gave Xin a signed card from Italian football legend Ambrosini, knowing he was his favorite player.

Molly Underly - Head Coach - Special Olympics Michigan - USA (SONA) - Women’s Team

Molly Underly - Head Coach - Special Olympics Michigan - USA (North America) Women’s Team

After coaching the USA women’s team to a silver medal at the 2022 Unified Cup in Detroit, Molly Underly returns to lead the team competing in Paris with a focus on resilience, teamwork, and inclusion. Her nearly two decades of experience with Unified Sports began after responding to a small newspaper advertisement looking for volunteers in Colorado. Since then, she has served as a volunteer, Unified partner, coach, and now staff member with Special Olympics Colorado. She believes the strongest teams are built not only on talent, but on trust, communication, and shared purpose. For Molly, Unified Sports is about creating environments where every athlete and partner feels valued, supported, and empowered to grow both on and off the field.

Jules Sorbier - Athlete, Team Co-Captain - Special Olympics France (SOEE) - Men’s Team

Jules Sorbier - Athlete, Team Co-Captain - Special Olympics France (Europe Eurasia) Men’s Team

Jules Sorbier proudly leads the French team as captain, a role he describes as both an honor and a responsibility. For Jules, leadership means supporting teammates during difficult moments, something he knows a lot about. The captain of the French men’s team started playing football at age 12 but soon stopped after being bullied for having a disability. Through Special Olympics Unified Sports, he rebuilt his confidence, found meaningful friendships and reconnected with his love of the game. The 2026 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Paris is his first international competition. One of Jules’ proudest moments so far was appearing on the Sport en France television program “À vos Marques,” where he shared his journey.

Musab Al-Hass - Athlete - Special Olympics Libya (SOMENA) - Men’s Team

Musab Al-Hass - Athlete - Special Olympics Libya (Middle East / North Africa) Men’s Team

Musab Al-Hass has loved football since he was a child growing up in Libya. He first played with friends in the streets and at school before joining his school’s football team. Encouraged by his father, Musab continued developing his skills and later began competing in local football tournaments held during the holy month of Ramadan, when he and his teammates won several competitions together. Football has remained an important part of Musab’s life and eventually led him to Special Olympics Libya, where he was invited by his coach to represent his country for the first time at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Paris.

Pedro Henrique dos Santos Pascoal - Athlete - Special Olympics Brazil (SOLA) - Men’s Team

Pedro Henrique dos Santos Pascoal – Athlete - Special Olympics Brazil (Latin America) Men’s Team

Pedro Henrique dos Santos Pascoal, athlete from Special Olympics Brazil, has a passion for football that is based on inclusion. Growing up, he experienced bullying that left him feeling isolated and unsupported. He noticed students involved in sports were treated differently, respected by classmates, and more easily accepted within the school community. Wanting to change his own experience, he turned to sport as a path forward. He is part of the Special Olympics Brazil program that boasts partnerships with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), SAF clubs (clubs that are part of Brazil´s Football Anonymous Society), and CONMEBOL. Together, these have strengthened the technical level and visibility of Unified Football, creating new opportunities for coach certification, athlete development, and competitive growth across Latin America.

Álvaro Brocher - Match Commissioner with ID - Special Olympics Venezuela (Latin America) - Men’s Team

Álvaro Brochero - Match Commissioner with ID - Special Olympics Venezuela (Latin America) Men’s Team

“One of the things that makes me happiest is that I am not treated like a person with an intellectual disability. I’m treated like everyone else.” Álvaro Brochero began his journey with Special Olympics Venezuela in 2010 as a football player who represented his country in two Copa América tournaments as team captain. He became President of the Special Olympics Latin America Regional Athlete Leadership Council and earned a certification as a football coach through CONMEBOL. In 2022, he served as Match Commissioner for the Special Olympics Unified Cup in Detroit, becoming one of the highest-ranking officials in the tournament’s competition structure. Now, he will return as Match Commissioner for the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Paris.

Serigne Mbacké Ka - Unified Partner - Special Olympics Senegal (Africa) Men’s Team

Serigne Mbacké Ka was apprehensive about accompanying his football coach to a Special Olympics Senegal football training session in 2022. At the time, the midfielder had never interacted closely with people with intellectual disabilities, but he was curious. Curiosity led to commitment, and from there he joined a team that participated in five National Unified Football Championships. Over time, his perspective shifted profoundly. “At first, I was afraid to be with the athletes,” he says. “Now, I no longer see people who are different from me, but brothers, sisters and friends.” Known by teammates as “Matar,” Serigne is recognized for his calm personality, empathy, and strong sense of inclusion. He dreams of becoming a coach with Special Olympics Senegal one day.

Lenka Janičkovičová - Athlete - Special Olympics Slovakia (Latin America) Women’s Team

Lenka Janičkovičová joined Special Olympics Slovakia in 2018 and grew from a shy young woman into a confident football player, teammate, and leader. Her achievements on the international stage include winning Division 2 gold at the 2022 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Detroit, where she was named best goalkeeper, and earning bronze at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. Her successes also extend into her personal life. After graduating from a special boarding school in Žilina, she studied pastry production and caregiving. Nowadays, she works with elderly and sick people, showing empathy and dedication to those in her care. Lenka continues to push herself, inspire others, and proves that the hardest beginnings do not define what is possible.

Luis Ignacio - Unified Partner - Special Olympics Paraguay (Latin America) Men’s Team

Luis Ignacio is determined to bring home gold after winning silver at the 2022 Unified Cup in Detroit. Football is in his blood. “The first toy every kid has is a football.” And with his father being a Special Olympics coach, he has grown up in the movement. Over the years, that passion led him to complete football training programs through the Paraguayan Football Association and deepen his understanding of the game. For Luis, Unified football is an opportunity to be a part of “a wonderful program of inclusion.” Through the experience, he came to see Unified partners not only as teammates, but also as role models responsible for helping athletes feel included and valued within society.

Piyamart “Ice” Huajaipeth and Tidarat “Bew” Boonpat - Unified Co-Captains - Special Olympics Thailand (Asia Pacific) Women's Team

As team co-captains, Piyamart “Ice” Huajaipeth and Tidarat “Bew” Boonpat were chosen because of their positive leadership styles, commitment to others and strong communication skills.Ice, an athlete from Bangkok, is a strong striker whose passion for football is evident through her years of evening practices with teammates after school. Bew, her Unified partner co-captain, is a defender from Chumphon Province and has grown up playing football on school, district and provincial teams. She enjoys helping to bring out the best in her teammates on and off the field. Their positions and tight bond create a calming balance on the field, which plays a vital part of their captainship.

Daroulin Ávila - Athlete - Special Olympics Guatemala (Latin America) Women’s Team

Daroulin Ávila joined the Special Olympics Guatemala Unified football team in 2022 after hearing about team tryouts from her brother. Excited by the opportunity, she attended training sessions and earned a place on the final roster, traveling to Detroit for the 2022 Special Olympics Unified Cup. Although she initially felt insecure in an unfamiliar environment, she and her teammates achieved an unforgettable milestone by winning the championship title together after defeatingthe USA team. She also competed at the 2023 World Games in Berlin, where Guatemala once again earned first place in futsal, followed by another championship victory at the 2024 Latin American Games in Asunción. For Daroulin, Unified Sports represents the power of teamwork, inclusion, and believing in something bigger than yourself.

Garrett Utz - Football Official with ID - Special Olympics Washington - USA (North America) Men’s Team

As a football player, Garret Utz wondered what the game looked like from the other side of the field. So, he applied to be a Special Olympics football official while in college. He has since served as a football official at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games and the 2022 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Detroit, where officials with and without intellectual disabilities worked side by side throughout the tournament. Garret says officiating taught him professionalism, responsibility, and leadership, while giving him the opportunity to help create positive experiences for competing athletes. “If there’s something that you’re passionate about, don’t be afraid to speak your mind,” he says. “I’m having the time of my life—so why not you?”

Sagar Punjab - Athlete - Special Olympics Bharat (India) (Asia Pacific) Men’s Team

At 10 years old, Sagar Punjab stepped onto a football field for the first time feeling intimidated by its size and not knowing the rules of the game. But with every practice, that fear slowly disappeared. Inspired by his environment and encouraged by his teachers and family, he officially joined Special Olympics Bharat in 2022. Since then, he has participated in state and national selection trials, competed in championships, and continued developing both his football skills and his confidence. Through football, he built friendships, strengthened communication skills, and learned to believe in his own abilities. The boy who once feared making mistakes on the field now approaches the game focused on learning, improving, and contributing to his team.

Daniel Rodrigues dos Santos - Unified Partner - Special Olympics Brazil (Latin America) Men’s Team

Daniel Rodrigues dos Santos is back to compete in his second Unified Cup. He was introduced to Special Olympics Brazil when he was 12 by friends in the program. He immediately connected with the athletes and at age 18, he became more deeply involved in the program. Daniel represented Brazil at the 2022 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Detroit, winning bronze in the third-place game against Morocco. The experience completely changed his life. Motivated by the opportunities created through sport and education, he pursued a degree in physical education, something he describes as transformative for both his personal growth and future goals.

Ousmane Bakhayokho - Athlete - Special Olympics Senegal (Africa) Men’s Team

Ousmane Bakhayokho, an 18-year-old midfielder from Kaolack, Senegal, joined Special Olympics Senegal as a Young Athlete when he was just seven years old. But due to learning difficulties and pressure on his family’s finances, he eventually left school to begin an apprenticeship in a metal and aluminium workshop, where he continues to work today. When Ousmane joined Special Olympics again as an athlete, he found that his football skills would take him far, leading him to participate in five editions of Senegal’s National Football Championship since 2022. Known for his calmness, composure, and strong team spirit, Ousmane is respected both on and off the field, and is looking forward to competing in Paris on the global stage.

Hassam Zogaib - Official with ID - Special Olympics Paraguay (Latin America) Men’s Team

In 2020, Hassam Zogaib stepped onto the field for the Copa Libertadores Final in Rio de Janeiro as the first football referee with an intellectual disability invited by CONMEBOL to officiate one of South America’s biggest football events. Hassam joined Special Olympics Paraguay as a teenager and stepped into officiating in 2011 during a Unified football tournament in Paraguay. That sparked an international journey that included the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, the 2016 Special Olympics América Cup in Uruguay, the 2019 World Games in Abu Dhabi, the 2022 Unified Cup in Detroit and the 2024 Special Olympics Latin American Games in Paraguay. Now, he will return once again as an official for the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Paris.

Mariana Campos - Coach - Special Olympics Costa Rica (Latin America) Women’s Team

In 2022, Mariana Compos drew on her training as a physical educator and sport manager to guide Costa Rica’s women’s Unified football team to a silver medal in Division 2, and recognition as the Best Unified Team at the Unified Cup in Detroit. She says this honormattered even more than the result itself, because it reflected the true spirit of Unified Sports. While preparing for the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Paris, she continues to emphasize that talent alone is not enough. For Mariana, the strongest teams are built through empathy, inclusion, and a genuine commitment to ensuring every athlete feels valued either on or off the field.

Álvaro Coronel - Athlete - Special Olympics Paraguay (Latin America) Men’s Team

For more than a decade, football has given Álvaro Coronel opportunities he once never imagined possible. Through Special Olympics Paraguay, the sport he loves has allowed him not only to compete, but also to travel, meet new people, and grow in confidence through experiences that have shaped his life. Álvaro is very excited to be competing at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Paris as he joins a team that won the Division 1 silver medal after they lost to Jamaica back in 2022. Today, he still plays with the same fire that drew him to the game years ago and he’s ready to bring the gold home. For him, football is simple: it’s where he belongs.

Three footballers from opposing teams, two in a red jersey and one in a yellow jersey, on the pitch going after the ball.

Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026

In 2026, for the first time, France will host the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup in Paris. This, the third edition of the Cup, will take place 5 – 11 July across venues in the heart of Paris. There will be 24 teams, 12 men's and 12 women's teams, consisting of athletes with intellectual disabilities and Unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities), competing for the Unified Football World Cup title.

Learn more about Paris 2026