Paris will once again take centre stage in global sport when it hosts the 3rd edition of the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup from 5 to 11 July 2026, becoming the first city outside the United States to stage the international tournament.
Building on the momentum of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the French capital is set to become the world capital of inclusive football, bringing together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities in a global celebration of unity.
France to Host Its First Special Olympics International Event
Special Olympics International and Special Olympics France have finalised an agreement confirming Paris as the host city for the 2026 tournament. The event will be the first Special Olympics International competition hosted in France.
The previous two editions of the Unified Football World Cup were held in the United States, with Chicago hosting in 2018 and Detroit in 2022. The Paris edition represents a significant expansion of the tournament’s global reach and reflects Europe’s growing role in advancing inclusive sport.
Tournament Scale and Participation
The Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026 will feature:
- 24 teams, comprising 12 men’s teams, 12 women’s teams
- 324 players and
- 48 coaches
The matches are expected to attract around 10,000 spectators, as athletes compete in Unified teams where players with and without intellectual disabilities play together on equal terms.
Football is both the most popular sport globally and the most widely played team sport within the Special Olympics movement. Across all regions, more than 450,000 Special Olympics athletes participate in football programmes. In France alone, over 1,470 athletes and Unified partners are involved.
With strong backing from French public authorities and the national football community, Paris 2026 aims to highlight the inclusive power of football and challenge perceptions by showcasing athletes competing together at the highest level.
Beyond the competition, organisers are committed to offering athletes and coaches a distinctive Parisian experience. The event is designed to combine world-class football with cultural engagement, allowing participants to experience the city while fostering international friendship and understanding.
Paris 2026 is also focused on creating a lasting legacy for the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. From 2026 to 2030, stakeholders aim to expand Unified football opportunities by:
- Increasing access through grassroots football clubs
- Introducing programmes in primary and secondary schools
- Encouraging wider participation across the Paris region and throughout France.
Special Olympics International President Tim Shriver expressed strong support for the event, highlighting its broader significance. “Paris, France, will become the capital of inclusion at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup, where teams will come together under the principle of ‘Live Together, Play Together’ — uniting athletes on the field of play with a collective purpose,” he said.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
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