United Arab Emirates

Special Olympics China faced off against SO Spain in their Division 3 semi-final match at the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026, suffering a 6-0 defeat.

The Spirit of Football’s The Ball made a special stop at the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 during yesterday’s men’s teams match between the United Arab Emirates and China.

[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.

[Katowice, Poland – 14 October 2025] The first-ever Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup took place 5 – 8 October in Katowice, Poland. Sixteen international teams competed, with Slovakia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) taking the men’s/mixed and women’s crowns, respectively.

After an electric four days and 40 matches played, the inaugural Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup crowns its first-ever champions: Special Olympics United Arab Emirates (Women’s) and Special Olympics Slovakia (Men’s/Mixed).

From December 16 – 17, 2024, Abu Dhabi hosted the First Special Olympics Middle East / North Africa Athlete Leaders Mentors Training.

For the first time, Special Olympics MENA hosted a regional competition dedicated to Unified Champion Schools, bringing together athletes and youth leaders from across the region to compete in unified sports.