United Arab Emirates

An intensive training program focused on leadership, inclusion, and personal development awaited members of the Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Regional Athlete Leadership Council.

The renewed partnership between Special Olympics and Topgolf continues to expand opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities around the world, creating new pathways into golf and growing participation numbers in the sport while also strengthening competition opportunities across the movement.

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).