Côte d'Ivoire

The tournament culminated on Saturday with Division 1 finals at Charléty Stadium, where Special Olympics Libya captured the men’s title and Special Olympics Guatemala successfully defended its women’s crown.

Special Olympics Azerbaijan captured the women’s Division 3 gold medal at the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026, defeating Special Olympics USA 3–2 in a hard-fought final on 10 July.

In this series, meet the athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and officials whose journeys to Paris are filled with determination, friendship, and inclusion.

[Paris, France – 16 April 2026] The road to the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 took a major step forward as the official tournament Draw Ceremony was held at the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Paris on 16 April.

[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 following is an excerpt from Novy Cas's article on Special Olympics MATP skier, Michal Dolinsky, who has been recognized for his athletic abilities by Didier Drogba.

Mariam Sylla powerfully smashes the table tennis ball across the table. She looks extremely concentrated and focuses all her energy on the game.