¡Que viva México! 🇲🇽 The Road to 2026 begins in Mexico City
Last month, Mexico City welcomed 30 team leaders from around the world for the landmark Street Child World Cup summit. It was a week of connection, collaboration, and shared purpose, the first big step on our journey to the next Street Child World Cup in May 2026.
Hosted alongside our incredible local partners, Fútbol Más México, the summit was filled with energy, vision, and community. We celebrated Mexico’s Independence Day together, listened to stories from five continents, and tackled some of the biggest challenges facing street-connected young people today.
A Global Commitment
The summit coincided with International Identity Day, which shines a light on the estimated 850 million people worldwide who live without legal identification. The date, September 16th, symbolically represents UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.9, marking the commitment to ensuring every young person has the right to a legal identity by 2030.
For millions of street-connected children, the lack of a birth certificate means exclusion from education, healthcare, and basic rights. Throughout the week, we worked with team leaders on practical solutions, learning how to advocate for birth registration and recognition in their home countries.
A Celebration of People
Beyond policy and planning, the summit was a celebration of people. From morning workshops to an evening at the embassy, every moment brought people together to share powerful stories. The atmosphere was electric, a reminder that the Street Child World Cup is more than a tournament; it’s a platform for transformation.
One of the week’s highlights came from an evening at the British Embassy in Mexico City. Team leaders, staff, and partners all came together at the embassy for a night of connection and celebration. Joined by Aaron Ramsey, embassy representatives and Mexican Government members, the excitement around the Street Child World Cup was clear to see. Conversations flowed, stories were shared, and there was a genuine sense of pride in what’s been achieved so far and what’s still to come.
Looking Ahead
With the summit complete, the countdown is on. In less than a year, Mexico City will welcome more than 500 young people from around the world, coming together to play football and demand a fairer future for all.
