Migrant children in Mexico City kick off own ‘World Cup’ as EU-backed programme targets inclusion

Migrant and refugee children living in shelters in Mexico City are taking part in a football programme that will culminate in an April tournament, offering a rare outlet as families weigh whether to continue north, return home, or settle in Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The initiative, known as ‘Goals for Inclusion’, is backed by the European Union and supported by the Mexico City government alongside international agencies, with organisers using sport as a practical tool to build routine, community and safeguarding touchpoints.Perla Acosta, director of civil association Mas Sueños, which oversees the programme’s technical delivery, said: “Sport is a tool for change, a tool for peace”, describing football as a way to help children develop skills while creating a shared space for those arriving from different countries.Training sessions have been running since late February on improvised pitches linked to shelters and community facilities, with hundreds of children participating through structured coaching and regular play.Organisers say the sessions are designed to help minors who often face violence, illness, discrimination and unstable living conditions, while also creating supervised environments at a time when many families have limited access to safe recreational space.The tournament is being positioned as a symbolic ‘World Cup’ moment, timed to harness interest in football as Mexico prepares to co-host the men’s World Cup in 2026, with Mexico City expected to play a central role in the event.Families involved include Venezuelan migrants such as Joel Orta and his son Matías, who have been living in the capital while considering their next move amid tighter US border enforcement and shifting political signals around migration routes.The programme’s support network extends beyond the pitch, with organisers and partner agencies treating participation as a gateway into broader assistance and a way to reduce isolation for children who have experienced displacement.Mexico has become both a transit country and an increasingly common destination for migrants from across Latin America and beyond, putting pressure on shelters and local services in major cities.The organisers’ pitch is straightforward: football cannot solve migration policy, but it can provide structure, supervision and connection for children whose daily lives are defined by uncertainty, and it offers a visible reminder of who is often left out as major tournaments approach.