With the FIFA World Cup set to kick off in less than three months and Mexico serving as one of the host nations, a unique and heartwarming soccer tournament is unfolding far from the global spotlight. In the heart of Mexico City, hundreds of migrant children are coming together to play their own version of the World Cup, a competition that transcends sport and speaks to their resilience amid challenging circumstances. This initiative offers a rare moment of joy and unity for young migrants who are currently navigating difficult decisions about their futures—whether to continue their journey northward, return to their countries of origin, or try to build new lives within Mexico itself.
Since late February, these young players, outfitted in blue jerseys and soccer boots generously provided by the European Union, have been training diligently on improvised fields scattered throughout the city. The tournament is scheduled to take place in late April at a well-equipped sports complex in the capital, bringing together boys and girls living in various shelters across Mexico City. However, the competition is about far more than crowning a champion. The project, aptly named “Goals for Inclusion,” is funded by the EU and designed to use the universal language of soccer to foster integration, protection, and peaceful coexistence among migrant children. These children often face harsh realities including exposure to violence, health risks, family separations, and discrimination based on their migrant status.
Joel Orta, a 26-year-old migrant from Venezuela, whose 8-year-old son Matías is actively participating in the tournament, eloquently summed up the spirit of the initiative: “Sport has no borders. The ball is round here or there.” As he spoke, Matías was seen practicing ball tricks and playing with other migrant children in the courtyard of their shelter, located in Tepito, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Mexico City. Orta and his family have been living in Mexico for about a year after fleeing the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. Reflecting on his own experience, he recalled taking part in a similar soccer tournament organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) last year. That event left a lasting impression on him, teaching that despite life’s hardships, one must never lose hope.
It is important to understand the broader context in which this tournament is taking place. Since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second presidential term in January, the number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has decreased significantly. Nevertheless, humanitarian organizations emphasize that the challenges faced by migrants have not diminished. Approximately 300,000 migrants remain stranded in Mexico, many caught in limbo without the financial means or safety to return home. Some are unable to go back due to threats against their lives. In addition, there have been reports of local communities occasionally reacting with hostility toward foreigners, while bureaucratic hurdles to obtaining legal residency have increased. As a result, many migrants are forced to work in the informal economy, where they often encounter exploitation and precarious conditions.
Perla Acosta, the director of Más Sueños, a civil association responsible for the technical execution of the soccer program, highlighted the transformative power of sport in this context. “Sport is a tool for change, a tool for peace,” she said. “It helps us build community, it helps us connect.” Acosta explained that activities like this tournament provide migrant children with opportunities to socialize, build friendships, and develop their skills—experiences that are often scarce in shelter environments where play spaces are limited and children may spend much of their time confined indoors.
As the countdown to the official FIFA World Cup continues, this grassroots tournament in Mexico City stands as a poignant reminder of the unifying power of sport. For these young migrants, the game is more than just a pastime—it is a beacon of hope, a source of joy, and a vital step toward inclusion in a world that often seems uncertain and unwelcoming. Through their passion for soccer, these children are not only kicking a ball but also pushing boundaries and building bridges toward a better future.
