Street Child World Cup · May 6th–14th, 2026
Mexico City ’26
From 6–14 May, we welcomed 28 teams from across the globe to Mexico City. Through football, arts and congress sessions, we gave street-connected young people the opportunity to demand access to identity, education, protection, and gender equality.
Street Child World Cup Mexico City 2026
“I AM SOMEBODY!”
In May 2026, the Street Child World Cup returned to Mexico City, bringing together 28 teams from 20 countries to show what is possible when young people are placed at the centre of the global stage. Delivered in partnership with Fútbol Más México and IMSS, the event provided a platform for participants to challenge stereotypes, share their experiences and advocate for change through football, arts and advocacy.
Throughout the week, young people engaged with political leaders, government representatives, celebrities and global influencers — including the President of Mexico and members of U2 — to demand a world where every child is recognised, respected and included.
More than a tournament, Street Child World Cup 2026 was a powerful demonstration of young people’s potential and right to be heard, declaring to the world: “I AM SOMEBODY!”
teams
countries
global platform for change
Meet The Teams
Travelling to Mexico City from across the globe
Tap a pin to meet a team and learn where they’re coming from.
Pinch to zoom · drag to pan · tap a pin to explore
The Power of Football
A week of skill, determination and teamwork
Young people from across the world represented their communities on a global stage, progressing from Oaxtepec, Morelos to the finals in Mexico City.
Boys’ Cup
Brazil
Street Child United Brazil
Girls’ Cup
Mexico
Más Sueños A.C. — the first Mexican team to win the Girls’ Cup
Boys’ Shield
Indonesia
Yayasan KDM
Girls’ Shield
Brazil
Em Busca de Uma Estrela
“I would say today that sport can be beautiful. You can meet people of all countries… and they still fight for their dreams.”
General Assembly
Declaring to the world: I Am Somebody
The advocacy centrepiece of the Street Child World Cup, the General Assembly is where street-connected young people present their demands to decision-makers and declare: I am somebody.
Held at Mexico City’s historic Teatro Hidalgo, the 2026 General Assembly brought together young people from around the world alongside leaders from government, diplomacy, and civil society.
President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the Assembly directly, alongside contributions from the British and Canadian Ambassadors and the UNHCR Representative in Mexico. The event was also attended by Bono and The Edge of U2, and saw UNHCR present CEO John Wroe with an award recognising the SCU’s work.
Young people then took centre stage to call for action on education, legal identity, protection from violence, and gender equality.
UNHCR Award
UNHCR Honours Street Child United CEO John Wroe
The Mexican representative of the UNHCR presented Street Child United CEO John Wroe with an award recognising SCU’s work championing the rights of street-connected young people.
“From the moment UNHCR Mexico learned about the Street Child World Cup 2026, we were excited to be part of it. Together with the Borussia Dortmund Academy, we helped create a team that brought together refugee youth and Mexican young people from vulnerable backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to participate directly in this extraordinary experience. Their enthusiasm, pride, and sense of belonging demonstrated the powerful impact of the tournament.”
Roundtable & Reception
Roundtable with Chris Elmore MP and the British Ambassador’s reception
Chris Elmore MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, chaired a dedicated roundtable with SCU young leaders — who led the discussion, shared lived experiences and presented their demands directly to a minister with the power to act on them.
The conversation focused on how government and sport can do more to advance street child rights: not as a question of goodwill, but of obligation.
Ambassador Susannah Goshko CMG then hosted a reception bringing together diplomats, partners, and supporters from across the tournament. Gabriela Cuevas joined SCU CEO John Wroe and Fútbol Más CEO Ignacio Gómez — capturing the growing coalition of governments and institutions committed to turning the advocacy of SCWC 2026 into lasting reform.
Media Reach
Carrying their stories to the world
Media coverage across news, sport, culture and entertainment helped carry the stories, messages and demands of participants to millions of people worldwide.
social media impressions
articles & features
Looking Ahead
The #IAmSomebody Tour
Street Child World Cup 2026 may be over, but its legacy is only just getting started. During the FIFA World Cup, the #IAmSomebody Tour, presented by Bank of America, will visit Seattle, Miami, Toronto, Washington, D.C. and New York, creating new opportunities for young leaders to advance their calls for change.
The tour will culminate at the United Nations, where participants will present the Street Child World Cup Charter of Demands and launch an expanded Young Leaders Programme — bringing together 60 young leaders from 20 countries to drive lasting change in their communities and beyond.
Kick-off of the FIFA World Cup
Help us support every team in Mexico City.
Your support funds travel, training and the arts and congress programmes that turn one tournament into lasting change.