Thailand

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 Slovakia finished fourth in the Division 1 competition after a dramatic Bronze medal match ended in a 4–4 tie, with SO Thailand securing the medal with a 3–1 penalty victory.

Long before you see them on the pitch in Paris, Special Olympics Thailand’s women’s football team has been putting in the work; training relentlessly to be at their best, ready to compete for the title of Unified Football World Cup Champion.

Around the world, the conversation about women in sport is gaining momentum. This progress creates a vital opportunity to ensure that women and girls with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are equally represented and empowered. Across communities, they are ready to engage more fully in sport as it is the catalyst to fuel confidence and discover pathways to leadership.

[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.

There are 50,739 Athlete Leaders worldwide, with 34.6% more men serving in these roles than women. The Women Play, Women Lead initiative is working to address this issue.

[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.