Football

The month of June is an amazing time for Special Olympics footballers and football fans all across the globe.

Players at the recent Special Olympics European Football Tournament were not only cheered on by friends, fans and families, they were also supported by international football star Célia Šašić.

Football fields all across Europe are coming alive with activity this summer, as women and girls with and without intellectual disabilities claim their rightful place on the pitch.

‘Keep Up With the Girls’ is a brand new European Union-supported project aimed at getting women and girls with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) involved in football.

Special Olympics European Football Week 2019 #EFW2019 in partnership with UEFA Respect runs from 25 May to 2 June. 40,000 participants across 50 countries will take part in 450 events. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2LIZiIt

The ‘Keep Up With the Girls’ awareness campaign is being backed by Special Olympics Global Ambassadors Didier Drogba and Cafu, FIFA Legend, Verónica "Vero" Boquete, Netherlands football star, Kirsten van de Ven. These stars and others are showing off their football skills and challenging everyone to make their own #KeepUpWithTheGirls challenge video! Learn more: http://bit.ly/2V9xH2D Download

With football fans counting down the days to kick-off at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Special Olympics is also gearing up for a week-long celebration of the beautiful game.

Unified Soccer Exchange Program promotes social inclusion, highlighted by East vs. West Unified All-Star Showcase in Orlando.

Between 25 May and 2 June 2019, 40,000 participants across 50 countries competed in 450 events.