102 boys and girls from refugee and host communities are enjoying an unforgettable experience at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™
Through the FIFA Youth Programme, they have the opportunity to step onto the pitch as player and team captain escorts
At this tournament the programme is being delivered in collaboration with the FIFA Foundation and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
Football’s ability to serve as a tool for fostering community development and social cohesion has been demonstrated once again at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™. There, 102 boys and girls from refugee and host communities are taking part in the tournament’s youth programme, accompanying the players in the pre-match ceremony.
This initiative forms part of the FIFA Youth Programme and is being delivered in collaboration with the FIFA Foundation and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
“Our boys and girls are all from Ukraine. They’re always keen to attend masterclasses, take part in various events or go on excursions. So, we knew what they wanted. We know they love football and that many of them play sport. We invited them, they came, and now we’re here, ready to get started,” said Alla Senchina, from Caritas Katowice, during the opening day of the U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Caritas Katowice is part of Caritas Poland which works alongside the UNHCR in the country and plays a key role in helping displaced people find a foothold within local communities. The UNHCR works to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees by promoting access to protection, rights and information, in close collaboration with a broad network of local partners. Sport in general, and football in particular, are crucial tools both for personal development and for strengthening bonds.
“I play football, I go to school, and I’ve got lots of friends here – both boys and girls. I like being in Poland,” says Mikołaj, smiling as he admits that he plays in midfield and that he likes watching women’s football whenever he gets the chance.
This initiative forms part of the broader partnership between FIFA and the UNHCR, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by FIFA and the UNHCR in July 2023.
This partnership includes the FIFA Foundation Refugee Programme which aims to provide access to football for forcibly displaced people and host communities, and that, as well as in Poland, has also been launched in Armenia, Malawi, Mexico and Morocco.