Teams announced for the Street Child World Cup 2026
SCU is excited announce 29 teams will be joining us for the Street Child World Cup 2026.
/sport
THE WORLD CUP THAT MATTERS
From Durban to Doha and now to North America, football has been the unifying force that breaks down barriers, fosters friendships across borders, and inspires change. This is a stage where the most marginalized children claim their right to be seen, heard, and celebrated—not just as athletes, but as leaders of tomorrow.
/advocacy
More than a game
SCU shines a spotlight on children living in street situations, the adversities they face and the fundamental rights they lack. It is our mission to change this by advocating for their core demands: identity, protection from violence, gender equality and access to education.
/art
A platform for expression
Art is used to help young people be creative, make friends and express themselves. Through painting, theatre, music and dance the young people overcome language barriers, have fun, laugh together and reflect on what’s going on.
Girls Teams @ the 2026 Street Child World Cup
Em Busca de Uma Estrela, Brazil
In Search of a Star is an innovative and pioneering social project that provides opportunities for development, growth and success for girls, using sports as an instrument of educational and social transformation. The project’s mission is to offer equal opportunities to young athletes through soccer, highlighting gender, equality and female empowerment.
Boys Teams @ the 2026 Street Child World Cup
Street Child United Brazil , Brazil
Street Child United Brazil offers a safe space for children to play and develop. Situated in Rio de Janeiro, it offers a safe haven for children at risk. Young people use the space every day with the support of trainers from the community; it delivers football, personal development and a sense of family for them.
Past Events
Durban 2010
Rio 2014
Moscow 2018
What happened in Moscow, 2018?
The third Street Child World Cup took place in Moscow from 10 – 18 May 2018, bringing more than 200 young people from 19 countries together to campaign for the rights and protection of street-connected children.
From here down is the Rio content
From here down is the Moscow content
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Playing like the Pros.
The young people played football at Lokomotiv Moscow – the Russian Premier League Champions – were welcomed at the British Ambassador’s Residence, visited Red Square and enjoyed a boat tour of the river Moskva.
Brazil Girls and Uzbekistan Boys won the football tournaments, but all the young people are champions. The global football community supported the event, including FIFA World Cup Winner and Arsenal Invincible Gilberto Silva, Khalida Popal, Ryan Giggs, Gary Lineaker and Alan Shearer.
"We demand to be treated as children and people, not as a piece of trash."
Hendra, Team Philippines
/advocacy
Treat us like humans!
Julia was one of 23 young people speaking on behalf of the teams taking part in the Street Child World Cup Moscow 2018 and the millions of street-connected young people across the world.
The young people’s statements addressed the situation of street-connected children in their countries. Collectively they called for an end to the stigmatisation of street-connected young people, protection and support from their governments, for all children to receive a legal identity at birth and access to education and healthcare.
The message spread far beyond the people present that day – the Street Child World Cup Moscow 2018 was reported on in every country that took part, and many more, reaching an audience of millions.
“We are the youth holding the world accountable for the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Juliana, Team USA
/art
World Champion Gilberto Silva attended the exhibition.
The young people had crafted their messages through Congress workshops, which were run over the course of the previous week. The Congress workshops were led by StreetInvest, our Official Child Participation Consultant and Facilitator for the Congress.
The General Assembly and art exhibition was attended by FIFA World Cup winner Gilberto Silva as well as the ambassador of Burundi, and representatives of the British and Brazilian embassies. The event was hosted by Street Child United Alumni, young people who have taken part in previous Street Child United events and are now working to support other young people from similar backgrounds.
"The most important thing for us is peace around the world. People should become kinder."
Alex, Team Russia
Impact
Leaders of the world heard us!
Through taking part in the Street Child World Cup Moscow 2018, seven teams (Bolivia Girls, Burundi Boys, Indonesia Boys, Mauritius Girls, Nepal Boys, Pakistan Boys and Tanzania Girls) have been able to take their young people’s messages directly to their governments.
