Street Child World Cup 2026: Teams announced for "the World Cup that matters"

London, 19 December 2024 - Street Child United (SCU) is proud to announce the official teams participating in the 5th Street Child World Cup, to be held in North America in 2026. 29 teams from across the globe - 16 girls’ teams and 13 boys’ teams – will participate in this amazing event, bringing together young people from street-connected backgrounds.

The Street Child World Cup is a global movement for street children to receive the protection and opportunities that all children are entitled to. Ahead of each FIFA World Cup, SCU unites street children from across the world to play football, take part in a festival of arts and participate in child-friendly Congress sessions, all designed to empower and champion their rights.

This 2026 Street Child World Cup will welcome seven new organisations to the girls’ tournament, including: Em Busca de Uma Estrela (Brazil), Malaika (DRC), HAWAR (Germany), Fafali Organisation (Ghana), Zebstrong (Kenya), Más Sueños (Mexico), and Blaenau Gwent Council (Wales). Meanwhile, the boys’ tournament will feature four new organisations Free Play for Kids (Canada), BUMI (DRC), Yayasan Chow Kit (Malaysia), and Swansea City AFC Foundation (Wales).

These additions reflect the growing reach and impact of the Street Child World Cup, which has already created lasting change through previous events in Durban (2010), Rio (2014), Moscow (2018), and Doha (2022).

John Wroe, Founder of Street Child United, explained the significance of this event, saying:

“The Street Child World Cup is the World Cup That Matters. It matters because we are uniting nations to ensure no child is left invisible. It’s more than a tournament—it is a call to action, uniting communities and nations to amplify the voices of street-connected children. Through sport and art, we will challenge inequality, fight for children’s rights, and inspire a fairer world. This event is a powerful reminder that every child matters, no matter where they are from or what challenges they face.

“The Street Child World Cup events have a life-changing impact on participants, who build confidence, make lifelong friendships, and develop leadership skills to drive change in their communities.

“The ripple effects of the 2026 Street Child World Cup will extend far beyond the tournament. The young leaders stepping onto this global stage will carry their courage, talent, and potential forward, shaping a brighter future for themselves, their communities and the world.”

As anticipation builds for North America 2026, Street Child United is proud to welcome the following teams:

The Girls’ Teams