6 – 11 July 2026
Adopt an athlete and be part of the moment their training, passion, and dream come to life on the pitch during the Unified Football World Cup in Paris!
In 2026, for the first time, France will host the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup in Paris. This, the third edition of the Cup, will take place 6 – 11 July across venues in the heart of Paris. There will be 24 teams, 12 men's and 12 women's teams, consisting of athletes with intellectual disabilities and Unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities), competing for the Unified Football World Cup title.
Unified Football World Cup 2026 Awards Ceremony
Experience the power of inclusion through the beautiful game at the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026.
For one unforgettable week, 24 teams—12 women's and 12 men's teams from around the world came together in Paris, France, to compete in the world's premier tournament for footballers with and without intellectual disabilities playing on the same team. Every pass, goal, save, and celebration showcased the true meaning of unity, friendship, and the transformative power of sport.
The Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup is more than a competition—it's a global movement proving that when we play together, we grow together. From thrilling matches and emotional victories to unforgettable stories of teamwork and determination, these footballers demonstrated that inclusion makes every team stronger.
Watch the highlights, relive the best moments, and celebrate the footballers, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and fans who made this incredible event possible.
⚽ Tournament: Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026
📍 Location: Paris, France
🌍 24 Teams | 12 Women's Teams | 12 Men's Teams
🤝 Unified Sports®: Footballers with and without intellectual disabilities competing together on the same team.
For one unforgettable week, 24 teams—12 women's and 12 men's teams from around the world came together in Paris, France, to compete in the world's premier tournament for footballers with and without intellectual disabilities playing on the same team. Every pass, goal, save, and celebration showcased the true meaning of unity, friendship, and the transformative power of sport.
The Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup is more than a competition—it's a global movement proving that when we play together, we grow together. From thrilling matches and emotional victories to unforgettable stories of teamwork and determination, these footballers demonstrated that inclusion makes every team stronger.
Watch the highlights, relive the best moments, and celebrate the footballers, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and fans who made this incredible event possible.
⚽ Tournament: Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026
📍 Location: Paris, France
🌍 24 Teams | 12 Women's Teams | 12 Men's Teams
🤝 Unified Sports®: Footballers with and without intellectual disabilities competing together on the same team.
The Competition Schedule
(M) Men's Tournament • (W) Women's Tournament
4 Stadiums: Charléty • Puc • Dalmasso • West
From July 6 – 11, 20226—4 Stadiums, 24 Teams, 60 Matches
4 Stadiums: Charléty • Puc • Dalmasso • West
From July 6 – 11, 20226—4 Stadiums, 24 Teams, 60 Matches
Monday 6 July
Tuesday 7 July
Wednesday 8 July
Thursday 9 July
Friday 10 July
Saturday 11 July
Training Day and Day 1
Charléty Stadium
Opening Ceremony
6:00PM
Game 1
6:45PM
France vs Senegal (M)
Game 2
8:45PM
France vs Cote d'Ivoire (W)
6:00PM
Game 1
6:45PM
France vs Senegal (M)
Game 2
8:45PM
France vs Cote d'Ivoire (W)
Day 2 - Group Stage
Charléty Stadium
Game 3
Field A
8:00AM
USA vs Guatemala (W)
Game 4
Field B
8:00AM
Azerbaijan v Namibia (W)
Game 8
Field A
9:30AM
Slovakia vs Egypt (W)
Game 9
Field B
9:30AM
Canada vs Hong Kong (W)
Game 13
Field A
11:00AM
France vs Thailand (W)
Game 14
Field B
11:00AM
Azerbaijan vs USA (W)
Field A
8:00AM
USA vs Guatemala (W)
Game 4
Field B
8:00AM
Azerbaijan v Namibia (W)
Game 8
Field A
9:30AM
Slovakia vs Egypt (W)
Game 9
Field B
9:30AM
Canada vs Hong Kong (W)
Game 13
Field A
11:00AM
France vs Thailand (W)
Game 14
Field B
11:00AM
Azerbaijan vs USA (W)
PUC Stadium
Game 5
Field A/B
8:00AM
Libya v Ecuador (M)
Game 10
Field A/B
9:45AM
Israël vs China (M)
Field A/B
8:00AM
Libya v Ecuador (M)
Game 10
Field A/B
9:45AM
Israël vs China (M)
Dalmasso Stadium
Game 6
Field A/B
8:00AM
UAE vs Paraguay (M)
Game 11
Field B
9:45AM
Cote d'Ivoire vs Costa Rica (W)
Game 15
Field A
11:00AM
Namibia vs Guatemala (W)
Field A/B
8:00AM
UAE vs Paraguay (M)
Game 11
Field B
9:45AM
Cote d'Ivoire vs Costa Rica (W)
Game 15
Field A
11:00AM
Namibia vs Guatemala (W)
West Stadium
Game 7
Field A/B
8:00AM
Spain vs Bharat (India) (M)
Game 12
Field A/B
9:45AM
Jamaica v Brazil (M)
Field A/B
8:00AM
Spain vs Bharat (India) (M)
Game 12
Field A/B
9:45AM
Jamaica v Brazil (M)
Day 3 - Group Stage
Charléty Stadium
Game 16
Field A/B
8:00AM
Senegal vs Jamaica (M)
Game 25
Field A/B
9:45AM
Israel vs UAE (M)
Game 30
Field A/B
11:30AM
France vs Brazil (M)
Field A/B
8:00AM
Senegal vs Jamaica (M)
Game 25
Field A/B
9:45AM
Israel vs UAE (M)
Game 30
Field A/B
11:30AM
France vs Brazil (M)
PUC Stadium
Game 17
Field A
8:00AM
Cote d'Ivoire vs Thailand (W)
Game 18
Field B
8:00AM
Slovakia vs Canada (W)
Game 22
Field A/B
9:30AM
China vs Paraguay (M)
Game 28
Field A
11:30AM
Slovakia vs Hong Kong (W)
Game 29
Field B
11:30AM
Thailand vs Costa Rica (W)
Field A
8:00AM
Cote d'Ivoire vs Thailand (W)
Game 18
Field B
8:00AM
Slovakia vs Canada (W)
Game 22
Field A/B
9:30AM
China vs Paraguay (M)
Game 28
Field A
11:30AM
Slovakia vs Hong Kong (W)
Game 29
Field B
11:30AM
Thailand vs Costa Rica (W)
Dalmasso Stadium
Game 19
Field A
8:00AM
Egypt vs Hong Kong (W)
Game 20
Field B
8:00AM
Azerbaijan vs Guatemala (W)
Game 23
Field A
9:30AM
Namibia vs USA (W)
Game 24
Field B
9:30AM
France vs Costa Rica (W)
Game 27
Field B
11:00AM
Egypt vs Canada (W)
Field A
8:00AM
Egypt vs Hong Kong (W)
Game 20
Field B
8:00AM
Azerbaijan vs Guatemala (W)
Game 23
Field A
9:30AM
Namibia vs USA (W)
Game 24
Field B
9:30AM
France vs Costa Rica (W)
Game 27
Field B
11:00AM
Egypt vs Canada (W)
West Stadium
Game 21
Field A/B
8:00AM
Spain vs Libya (M)
Game 26
Field A/B
9:45AM
Bharat (India) vs Ecuador (M)
Field A/B
8:00AM
Spain vs Libya (M)
Game 26
Field A/B
9:45AM
Bharat (India) vs Ecuador (M)
Day 4 - Group Stage
PUC Stadium
Game 31
Field A/B
8:00AM
Spain vs Ecuador (M)
Game 34
Field A/B
9:45AM
Israel vs Paraguay (M)
Field A/B
8:00AM
Spain vs Ecuador (M)
Game 34
Field A/B
9:45AM
Israel vs Paraguay (M)
Dalmasso Stadium
Game 32
Field A/B
8:00AM
China vs UAE (M)
Game 35
Field A/B
9:45AM
France vs Jamaica (M)
Field A/B
8:00AM
China vs UAE (M)
Game 35
Field A/B
9:45AM
France vs Jamaica (M)
West Stadium
Game 33
Field A/B
8:00AM
Bharat (India) vs Libya (M)
Game 36
Field A/B
9:45AM – 11:00AM
Senegal vs Brazil (M)
Field A/B
8:00AM
Bharat (India) vs Libya (M)
Game 36
Field A/B
9:45AM – 11:00AM
Senegal vs Brazil (M)
DAY 5 SEMI-FINALS & FINALS
Charléty Stadium
GAME 37
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 1 Men
Jamaica v Israel
GAME 43
Field A/B
10:00AM
Division 1 Men
Libya v Paraguay
GAME 49
Field A
12:00PM
Division 3 Women
Final Winner
GAME 50
Filed B
12:00PM
Division 3 Women
Bronze Medal
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 1 Men
Jamaica v Israel
GAME 43
Field A/B
10:00AM
Division 1 Men
Libya v Paraguay
GAME 49
Field A
12:00PM
Division 3 Women
Final Winner
GAME 50
Filed B
12:00PM
Division 3 Women
Bronze Medal
PUC Stadium
GAME 38
Field A
8:00AM
Division 3 Women
USA v Hong Kong
GAME 39
Field B
8:00AM
Division 3 Women
Azerbaijan v Cote d'Ivoire
GAME 42
Field A/B
09:45AM
Division 2 Men
Ecuador v Senegal
GAME 47
Field A
11:45AM
Division 1 Women
Costa Rica v Thailand
Field A
8:00AM
Division 3 Women
USA v Hong Kong
GAME 39
Field B
8:00AM
Division 3 Women
Azerbaijan v Cote d'Ivoire
GAME 42
Field A/B
09:45AM
Division 2 Men
Ecuador v Senegal
GAME 47
Field A
11:45AM
Division 1 Women
Costa Rica v Thailand
Dalmasso Stadium
GAME 40
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 3 Men
Spain v China
GAME 44
Field A
10:00AM
Division 2 Women
Namibia v France
GAME 45
Field B
10:00AM
Division 2 Women
Egypt v Canada
GAME 48
Field A
11:45AM
Division 1 Women
Guatemala v Slovakia
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 3 Men
Spain v China
GAME 44
Field A
10:00AM
Division 2 Women
Namibia v France
GAME 45
Field B
10:00AM
Division 2 Women
Egypt v Canada
GAME 48
Field A
11:45AM
Division 1 Women
Guatemala v Slovakia
West Stadium
GAME 41
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 3 Men
Bharat (India) v France
GAME 46
Field A/B
10:00AM
Division 2 Men
Brazil v UAE
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 3 Men
Bharat (India) v France
GAME 46
Field A/B
10:00AM
Division 2 Men
Brazil v UAE
◆ FINALS
Charléty Stadium
GAME 51
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 1 Men
FINAL WINNER
GAME 55
Field A
10:00AM
Division 1 Women
FINAL WINNER
GAME 56
Field B
10:00AM
Division 1 Women
FINAL BRONZE
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 1 Men
FINAL WINNER
GAME 55
Field A
10:00AM
Division 1 Women
FINAL WINNER
GAME 56
Field B
10:00AM
Division 1 Women
FINAL BRONZE
PUC Stadium
GAME 52
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 1 Men
BRONZE MEDAL
GAME 57
Field A
10:00AM
Division 2 Women
FINAL WINNER
GAME 58
Field B
10:00AM
Division 2 Women
BRONZE MEDAL
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 1 Men
BRONZE MEDAL
GAME 57
Field A
10:00AM
Division 2 Women
FINAL WINNER
GAME 58
Field B
10:00AM
Division 2 Women
BRONZE MEDAL
Dalmasso Stadium
GAME 53
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 2 Men
BRONZE MEDAL
GAME 59
Field A/B
10:00AM
Division 2 Men
FINAL WINNER
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 2 Men
BRONZE MEDAL
GAME 59
Field A/B
10:00AM
Division 2 Men
FINAL WINNER
West Stadium
GAME 54
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 3 Men
BRONZE MEDAL
GAME 60
Field A/B
10:00AM
Division 3 Men
FINAL WINNER
Field A/B
8:00AM
Division 3 Men
BRONZE MEDAL
GAME 60
Field A/B
10:00AM
Division 3 Men
FINAL WINNER
Results and Statistics
More About this Event
Journey to the Cup—Inclusion On and Off the Field
In this series, meet the athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and officials whose journeys to Paris are filled with determination, friendship, and inclusion.
More than a Medal: Special Olympics Jamaica Demonstrates Inclusion at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup
Standing on the sidelines of any Special Olympics Jamaica match at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup, one could hear cheers from their small but mighty section of supporters, who flew halfway across the globe to cheer on their team.
SO Canada Unified Co-Captains Bring Leadership and Positivity to the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup
For the second time since its inception, the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup implemented Unified co-captains for each team.
Unified Football World Cup 2026 Awards Ceremony
Experience the power of inclusion through the beautiful game at the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026.
Sponsors
French State
City of Paris
Greater Paris Metropolis
Ile-de-France Region
French Football Federation
Paris FC
Lions Clubs International Foundation
Premium Partner
First Official Partner
Health Official Partner
Official Partner
Official Supporter
Official Supporter
With the Involvement of
324
Players
48
Coaches
12
Men's Teams
12
Women's Teams
500
Families
500
Volunteers
Unified Sports
Over a million people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a fun way.
"Football is the world's most popular team sport—across the globe and in Special Olympics. Every year, over 630,000 players participate in 16,000 Special Olympics football events run in over 190 countries worldwide."
Jon-Paul St. Germain, Vice President Sport Development, Sport & Competition