The following is an excerpt from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) article, “Paris will host the third edition of the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026” on the announcement of Paris, France to host the 2026 Unified Football World Cup.
“For the first time, France will host a Special Olympics International event with the 3rd edition of the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup coming to Paris in 2026. The first two editions were held in the United States, Chicago 2018 and Detroit 2022.
From July 5 to 11, 2026, 24 teams (12 men and 12 women), consisting of 324 players and 48 coaches, will descend on Paris to compete for the Cup in front of 10,000 fans.
With the strong support of the French government and the French football community, Special Olympics France has the unique opportunity to highlight the inclusive power of sport at a time when the entire world will focus on football.
Football is by far the most popular sport in the world and the most popular team sport of the Special Olympics. It is the best way to let athletes with and without intellectual disabilities play together. Across all Special Olympics regions, more than 450,000 athletes compete in the sport and more than 1,470 football players and Unified partners compete in France alone.”
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