| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Goals for Inclusion | A soccer initiative promoting integration and coexistence for migrant children in Mexico City. |
| Migrant Children | Children who have moved from their home countries due to various challenges, now residing in Mexico. |
| Integration | The process of combining different groups into a single community. |
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, a unique soccer initiative is taking place in Mexico City, aimed at bringing together migrant children through the power of sport. This project, named “Goals for Inclusion,” is funded by the European Union and aims to foster integration, protection, and coexistence among migrant children and their local peers. Since late February, children from various backgrounds have been training on makeshift fields in preparation for a tournament scheduled for the end of April.
This initiative is organized by the EU Delegation in Mexico, the Mexico City government, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration. The focus is not solely on competition but on creating safe spaces where children can escape the challenges they face, such as violence and poverty, and find a sense of community and belonging.
Currently, around 300,000 migrants remain in Mexico, affected by stringent U.S. border policies. For these children, sport becomes a bridge across borders, promoting values like solidarity and respect. Joel Orta, a Venezuelan migrant, emphasized that “sport has no borders” as he watched his son engage in soccer at a local shelter.
Taking place in locations like Tepito and Vallejo, which are often considered dangerous, the initiative highlights the transformative power of sport in bridging community divides. The “Goals for Inclusion” project includes 18 community clinics offering not only soccer training but also socio-emotional support and human rights education.
Mexico City officials and organizations like Más Sueños recognize the potential of sports to cultivate environments of coexistence and shared social responsibility. As Mexico City prepares for the World Cup, projects like this demonstrate how sports can unite people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a harmonious community.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Integration | Integración |
| Community | Comunidad |
| Solidarity | Solidaridad |
Time to discuss
- How can sports be used to promote social integration and community building?
- What challenges do migrant children face when integrating into a new society?
- In what ways can international organizations support migrant communities?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph
- Describe how the “Goals for Inclusion” project aims to help migrant children in Mexico City.
- What role does sport play in creating safe and inclusive spaces for children?
