Street Child World Cup Mexico 2026: team highlights

It’s been six months since the Street Child World Cup took place in Mexico, when street-connected young people from around the world came together for an unforgettable ten days of football, friendship and shared experiences.

The tournament created countless remarkable moments, on and off the pitch, and gave young people the opportunity to build their confidence, make new connections and have their voices heard.

Six months on, the team have been reflecting on some of their highlights from the event, held in partnership with Fútbol Más Mexico.

Here’s what the team had to say:

John Wroe, Founder and CEO, Street Child United:

“My favourite Street Child World Cup moment was Team Palestine arriving. I knew what had gone on behind the scenes in Ramallah, in Tel Aviv in Jordan, in London, in Cambridge and in Mexico City to make their participation possible. I knew how invested people were in ensuring they could take part in the Street Child World Cup.

“Nothing can prepare you for the powerful symbolism of 10 girls from a refugee camp in the West Bank arriving safely. The relief was palpable when they were able to take their rightful place at their World Cup proudly representing their country and show the world that they matter, that they will be heard and give everybody hope that “no injustice can last forever.”

David Samayoa Diaz, Project Coordinator, Fútbol Más:

“During the Ikoots Indigenous Team vs Brazil Boys match, Brazil were comfortably ahead, but when Ikoots scored, something beautiful happened: players from both teams ran together to celebrate the goal, congratulating, hugging and embracing each other. For a moment, the score simply didn’t matter. They were young people sharing the same pitch, speaking the common language of football and celebrating each other.

“For me, these moments captured what the Street Child World Cup is about: joy, empathy, connection and young people supporting one another beyond teams, countries or results. They were small moments, but some of the clearest examples of Sport for Development in action, creating a space where young people could belong, celebrate and have the time of their lives.”

Tom Rensmann, Head of Operations, Street Child United:

“I think my highlight was the first time I saw the old American school buses drive up and get painted to be parked around the finals pitch. It was such an abstract idea, old American school buses painted with messages from the young people, but it sounded too exciting not to attempt, even though we had no idea where to start looking for them. Watching those buses actually roll into the athletes’ village and then get parked around the finals venue, seeing the kids' words made real and impossible to ignore, is still my favourite SCWC moment.”

Anya Welch, Head of Communications, Street Child United:

“My highlight was seeing the young people realise that the platform really was theirs. After the first Late Show, everyone stayed outside under the tarp and spontaneous dance battles broke out - face paint everywhere, music and drums playing, and young people from completely different cultures laughing and dancing together.

“I remember watching some of those who had arrived quieter and more reserved slowly come out of their shells, joining teams like Brazil in cutting shapes and sharing their own cultural dances in return. Many of them didn’t share a spoken language, but it didn’t matter - through football, music and dance, they found another one, forming friendships as if they’d known each other for years. That was the moment everything we’d worked towards felt real to me.”

Raluca Bogdan, People & Education Coordinator, Street Child United:

“My highlight was seeing the Young Leaders at the General Assembly. Watching them confidently take the stage, share their experiences and make their voices heard in such an important space was incredibly powerful. It was a reminder of the importance of creating platforms where young people can speak for themselves and be heard."

Though the Street Child World Cup Mexico 2026 took place six months ago, the memories of the tournament will stay with all those involved for many years to come.

A huge thank you to every young person, team member, partner, volunteer and supporter who helped make Mexico 2026 a success.

We look forward to seeing what comes next for all the young people who took part, as we continue our work to create opportunities for street-connected young people around the world.