The World Cup In Review
July 21st, 2026
As the FIFA World Cup crowns its 2026 champion and returns to hibernation for another 4 years, the tournament is still vibrant in the communities it touched in North America through the youth that got to experience its magic.
Throughout the United States and Canada, the SCORES Networks’ Poet-Athletes experienced the tournament in their own unique ways — some as player escorts on the pitch, some as Festival 26 participants, and some within their communities — trading Panini stickers, swapping jerseys, and cheering on their favorite team with their families.
Continue reading to learn how the 2026 World Cup shaped the summer for our Boston SCORES students.
Jump ahead:
The Origin Of The SCORES Network
In the summer of 1994, the United States hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time. That fall, Julie Kennedy, a 21-year-old teacher and Teach for America Fellow in Washington, D.C., started an after-school soccer and poetry program for girls at Marie Reed Elementary School. Kennedy had a soccer ball, a love of poetry, and a belief that the young people in her community deserved a place to belong after school.
The energy of that tournament drew early supporters to her work, and the program grew alongside the World Cup’s own legacy. The U.S. Soccer Foundation—created as part of the 1994 World Cup’s legacy—awarded its very first grant to DC SCORES. More than two decades later, its final grant to the organization was awarded in 2017.That funding carried the program from one school in D.C., then to Boston and eventually to 11 more cities across the US and Canada creating a network that today serves 15,000 young people. Now, three decades later, the SCORES Network (formerly America SCORES) stands as one of the most successful grassroots programs to emerge from the 1994 World Cup.
As the World Cup returned to American soil again in 2026, Boston SCORES students were able to experience this worldwide phenomenon in their own backyard, many without knowing that its prior arrival to our country is the reason for our own program’s existence.
The World Cup In The Classroom
As the preparation began around the country to host the World Cup, Boston SCORES prepared our students for the summer ahead by intentionally integrating World Cup-inspired curriculum into our elementary and middle school enrichment programs, poetry and social entrepreneurship, to help students connect the world’s biggest sporting event to their own community.
Elementary School: Zines and Poetry
Throughout the school year, our elementary students researched countries of their choice—many selecting places connected to their own family heritage—and transformed their learning into creative, handmade “zines” showcasing each country’s culture, history, and traditions, specifically related to the World Cup.
View a selection of these zines here!
Atletas Poetas
During National Poetry Month in April, the SCORES Network partnered with Telemundo Station Group—the exclusive Spanish-language broadcast home of FIFA World Cup 2026™ in the U.S.—to launch Atletas Poetas, a national youth poetry celebration spanning seven cities.
Four Boston SCORES students joined Poet-Athletes from Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., Miami, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants wrote and performed original poems in Spanish or bilingually in Spanish and English, exploring themes of soccer, unity, community, and joy.
City and national winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges that included award-winning author and poet Jennifer Maritza McCauley, writer and performer Melania Luisa Marte, and interdisciplinary artist and curator Kenya Bullock.
Boston’s city winners selected by judges were Miranda (Bradley Elementary) and Gustavo (Umana Academy). Watch their performances below.
The national winners hailing from New York and the Bay Area, were recognized at the Soccer Legacy Gala, celebrating the lasting impact of the 1994 World Cup and the continued work of SCORES programs across North America.
Read more about Poetas Atletas here.
Miranda performing her original poem “Words Can Change the World”
Gustavo performing his original poem “Integridad”
Middle School: Kicking Off Change
This year also marked the launch of our new middle school curriculum, Kicking Off Change: Using the World Cup to Inspire Social Impact.
Designed to help students think critically about the opportunities and challenges that come with hosting a global sporting event like the World Cup, the curriculum explores topics including:
- Civic engagement
- Sports and human rights
- Sustainability
- Social entrepreneurship
Throughout the year, students examined both the positive and negative impacts of hosting the World Cup before selecting an issue they wanted to address as a team.
Working collaboratively, each group designed a community initiative aimed at creating positive change. Students developed implementation plans and wrote proposals for a micro-grant to launch their projects, while also considering how their initiatives could remain sustainable long after the initial funding was used.
By connecting the excitement of the World Cup to creativity, civic engagement, and community action, Boston SCORES built the foundation and context for students to see that the world’s biggest sporting event is also an opportunity to become leaders, storytellers, and changemakers in their own communities.
Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunities On The Field
Meeting Les Bleus
Before the tournament officially started, Boston SCORES students from Sarah Roberts Elementary got to attend a training session of the French National Team at Bentley University.
Students participated in a clinic led by Bentley student-athletes, then had the opportunity to watch Les Bleus practice followed by a meet and greet with some of the best players in the world — complete with autographs and selfies.
In-Person Matches
June 13th: Scotland vs. Haiti
A group of 17 Boston SCORES middle and high school students attended the Scotland vs. Haiti World Cup group-stage match at Boston Stadium, made possible by New Balance and Soccer.com
For most of them, it was their first World Cup experience, and they embraced the unique atmosphere by joining in the chants, cheers, and traditions of both sets of supporters.
June 19th: Morocco vs. Scotland
A group of 20 East Boston FC girls participants and 4 coaches from the EBFC community attended the Morocco vs. Scotland group-stage match at Boston Stadium, made possible by the Mayor Michelle Wu’s Office.
We were lucky enough to bring a Moroccan coach, and Moroccan players from the EBFC program who were overjoyed to see their national team play in Boston.
Player Escort Experience
Through a partnership with Quaker and Common Goal, poet-athletes from eight SCORES affiliates participated in the Player Escort Program across more than 30 matches this summer. They were selected for their leadership, commitment, and contributions to their teams and communities.
The player escort walkouts began on opening day, when poet-athletes from Toronto SCORES took the pitch as Canada opened their World Cup campaign at home. From there, SCORES poet-athletes appeared across some of the tournament’s biggest moments.
Boston SCORES Poet-Athletes took to the field during the France vs. Morocco semi-final game at Boston Stadium. This experience was truly unforgettable for our students, and was even described as the “best day of my life” by one participant.
Across 104 matches in the United States and Canada, Quaker and Common Goal brought 1,738 young people from underserved communities onto FIFA World Cup 2026™ pitches as player escorts — including more than 400 SCORES poet-athletes.
The eight participating affiliates were:
- United States: New York SCORES, Miami SCORES, Boston SCORES, LA SCORES, America SCORES Bay Area, Seattle SCORES
- Canada: Canada SCORES Vancouver, Canada SCORES Toronto
Boston SCORES staff member Taylor Ambrose, who accompanied the students to the game, spoke highly of the player-escort experience, saying:
“Moments like these build a sense of community among students who may attend different schools but share a passion for the game. Seeing the joy, excitement, and connection our students experienced reinforced the lasting impact that our programming, relationships, and community have on young people across the city. These opportunities go far beyond soccer, they inspire belonging, broaden perspectives, and create memories that will stay with our students for years to come.”
Festival 26
Our World Cup summer wrapped up by co-hosting an international youth festival, Festival 26, from July 5th-July 12th, in partnership with French-based nonprofit Sport dans la Ville.
Participants of Festival 26 attended in groups (delegations) from other sport-for-good non-profits from around the world. Participants ranged from 14-17 years old, and were accompanied by 1 Youth Leader (aged 18-25), and 1 delegation leader (aged 25+). Read more about what delegates were present at Festival 26 here.
These 9 days were jam packed with cultural exchange, soccer for good, leadership training and more. Some notable moments of the Festival included:
The Opening Ceremony
Held at the Berklee Performing Center on the first night of the delegations arrivals in Boston, the Opening Ceremony set the tone for the week: joyful, exciting, and inspirational.
Acts included Acts included spoken word artist Essmaa Litim, who performed an original poem centered on the power of soccer, and dance crew Alex Diaz and the Floor Lords.
Emceed by Gillette Stadium announcer Mike Riley, the night included a parade of flags representing all our Festival 26 nations, and a huge on-stage dance party with the Floor Lords.
Cultural Performances
Held mid-week during Festival 26, the Cultural Performances were an opportunity for all delegations to show off their country pride. From South America to the States, from Europe to Africa, each performance brought our delegations into each other’s worlds.
football3 Tournament
One of the main focuses of the festival was the football3 tournament. Football3 is a unique mode of playing soccer, that originated following the 1994 World Cup. football3 is a “fair play football methodology” that is used and promoted by the Common Goal community, and played around the world. Here’s how it works:
- Games are played with 3 “halves” (hence the name football3). These include a pre-match discussion, a soccer game, and post-match discussion
- There are no referees. Players must referee themselves, and sportsmanship and honesty is a key tenant.
- Players set the game expectations and rules in the pre-match discussion, then come together after the match to reflect on how it went.
- Points are awarded for goals as well as for fair play
Click here to learn more about football3 and its origins.
During Festival 26, participants were sorted into teams to participate in this major tournament with 1 other member from their group of origin, with the rest of the team from other delegations.
These teams were led by Youth Leaders, who acted as match facilitators throughout the tournament — helping players resolve disputes, stimulate conversation, and support fair play.
World Cup Watch Party at Tall Ship
Festival 26 was purposely aligned with the World Cup, and participants got to experience a bustling Boston watch-party for the France vs. Morocco quarterfinal game (the same game Boston SCORES player escorts were at!).
Our delegates took on Tall Ship in East Boston, along with Boston SCORES community members from East Boston FC, to cheer on their favorite teams. Located on the waterfront, Tall Ship was the perfect location for our youth to soak in the city skyline, and experience some of the best energy the city has to offer.
Continuing the World Cup Legacy: 1994, 2026, and beyond
The World Cup continues to make a significant impact on the lives of young people engaged with the SCORES network.
The 1994 FIFA World Cup helped expand access to soccer and invest in young people long after the tournament ended. More than 30 years later, that impact continues through the SCORES Network, which serves 15,000 young people at more than 300 Title I schools across the United States and Canada.
As the World Cup returned to North America this summer, our Boston SCORES students were able to represent their community on the world stage, and in ways that extended beyond the stands. From walking out with World Cup players, to cross-cultural connection through soccer at Festival 26, to attending games at Boston Stadium, the World Cup has made this summer unforgettable.
Together, the SCORES network shows how a World Cup’s impact is carried forward by the young people it inspires.