The Story of the SCWC '26
The Story of Day 5
After a dramatic night of lightning storms, the skies cleared in time for day 5 to get off to a thunderous start. Everyone pitched in on a group arts project, and with the end of the Qualifiers in sight, the football continues to heat up as teams fight for their place in the final stages.
Despite some inclement weather, it has been lovely to see just how well everyone has got on with things. The volunteers, Team Leaders, coaches, staff and young people have all had to adapt at different points, and they have done it with a great deal of patience and good humour.
The football has also continued to improve as the week has gone on. With the Qualifiers now moving towards their conclusion, the matches are becoming more competitive, and you can see how much it means to the young people to represent their teams properly and give themselves the best chance of reaching the final stages.
A mural for everyone
Day 5 started with our young people, from all teams and countries, being invited to decorate a large mural where they added their names, messages, and drawings.
Some wrote notes to people back home, while others began signing each other’s t-shirts, hats and arms. As Eze from the social media team put it: “it was almost like the last day of school, when you’re leaving and everyone signs your shirt – but it happened in the middle of the event. It shows how comfortable the young people are with each other, and how they have become each other’s allies.”
A powerful visit from IMSS
Later in the day, we were very pleased to welcome Zoé Alejandro Robledo, Director General of the Mexican Social Security Institute, IMSS, together with other leaders from IMSS, Fútbol Más, and a colourful group of Mexican luchadores (masked wrestlers).
IMSS has been a vital partner in making this event possible, and I want to thank Zoe and his colleagues for their support and for spending time with these extraordinary young people.
In his speech, Director General Robledo spoke about Benito Juárez, one of Mexico’s great national figures, who became the country’s first Indigenous president after growing up in very difficult circumstances. It was a powerful story to share with young people who know a great deal about being underestimated, and about having to fight for the chance to be heard.
The luchadores also brought a message that felt very fitting for the tournament: in Mexican culture, the lucha mask carries a strong symbolism, and the young people were told that where you come from matters less than the courage and determination you show. IMSS then gave the young people their own lucha masks, while members of Team India presented traditional garments to Director General Robledo and the visiting leaders.
The Qualifiers heat up
On the pitches, the standard of football remained very high, with several close and fiercely contested games as the Qualifiers moved towards their final day.
The host nation Mexico played out a hard-fought draw with Team England in the girls’ competition, while Brazil and Egypt produced one of the most skillful and passionate boys’ matches of the tournament so far. Across the games, you could see the pressure beginning to build, but also the pride the young people are taking in representing their teams.
That same pride was on full display during the last late show, where our wonderful young leaders sang and danced in front of a roaring crowd, Teams Mexico, Chile, and Palestine gave exciting cultural performances, and I myself was invited on stage to join in with the Welsh national anthem. Ymlaen, Cymru!
There is now one more day of football before the final stage begins. It makes me so proud to see the young people giving so much of themselves to this tournament and to see the amount of effort and passion that has gone into making it possible.
Bring on day 6!
