Thailand

In the lead up to the Cup, Special Olympics Thailand and its partners utilized Sport for Development practices, as part of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, using sport as a catalyst for social inclusion, education, health, and community development.

At the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026, Special Olympics coaches spent most of their time plotting against one another’s teams.

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.