Philadelphia World Cup 2026 | Let’s Get Philly United!
The Philadelphia World Cup 2026 is coming, and there is work to do now in order to uphold the bid’s commitment to human rights in the inner city.
#letsgetphillyunited
The Philadelphia World Cup 2026 Committee is tasked with bringing the largest sporting event in the world to our city. As such, it has a responsibility to ensure that the tournament is more than just a spectacle; it should be an opportunity to address some of the most pressing socio-economic issues facing our communities. One such issue is the lack of opportunities for inner-city youth to participate in competitive soccer.
Read | Evaluation of Philadelphia’s Human Rights
Stakeholder Engagement Submission to FIFA
The bid highlights opportunities for lasting positive human rights legacies in the city. For example, it identifies the opportunity to use the platform provided by the tournament to amplify and accelerate the economic inclusion of businesses owned by historically marginalized groups.
DESTINATION PHILADELPHIA | FIFA 2026
United Philly is a premier soccer club in Philadelphia with a strong presence in the city’s soccer community. The Club and it’s affiliates’ dedication to diversity and inclusivity makes it a perfect example of how the Philadelphia World Cup 2026 and FIFA can use the platform provided by the tournament to amplify and accelerate economic inclusion. By investing in the soccer club and leveraging its networks, Philadelphia World Cup 2026 and FIFA can create opportunities for underrepresented groups through the club to develop and grow the economy around the club and building a more inclusive and equitable city.
United Philly is uniquely positioned to provide a much-needed outlet for aspiring soccer players from underserved communities providing scholarships for low-income families, so no student is excluded due to financial constraints. The Philadelphia World Cup 2026 Committee can help demonstrate that it is truly committed to the ideals of economic inclusion, environmental justice and sustainability, equal opportunity and inclusion for youth and digital inclusion, that it espouses in its bid by committing funds from the World Cup to ensure all students have equal access to the club.
Suburban Flight Once Again?
Cristo Rey High School Soccer Field Located in North Philadelphia | A “Field of Dreams?” | See the Field
The exit of talented soccer players from the inner city of Philadelphia bears some resemblance to the exodus of middle and upper-middle-class families from the city in the mid-20th century.
From slums to sleek towers: How Philly became cleaner, safer, and more unequal | Read More
Just as the latter represented a movement away from urban living and towards suburban living, the former reflects a similar urge to move away from a locale that seems to offer fewer opportunities to pursue a passion or to have a future in the sport.
This trend is not only disheartening for the city’s soccer scene, but it is also an economic loss for the city as talented young players look for opportunities elsewhere.
These funds can focus on the training and development of coaches and creating sustainable pathways for players. Investing in the coaches and potential coaches can have a ripple effect on the youth they work with, inspiring them to reach their full potential both on and off the field. The funds should be allocated towards training and education programs for coaches, helping them teach essential life skills through soccer.
Read: Increase Soccer IQ: Let’s Integrate Coach and Referee Licensing for Players
The overall goal of this support by Philadelphia World Cup 2026 would be to create a strong foundation for the club, helping it to grow and reach more students in the future. Philadelphia’s bid carries a commitment to human rights and educational development and should extend to the sports field, promoting the positive impact that soccer can have on education, youth empowerment, and community building.
Three ways to Use Philadelphia World Cup 2026 funds to support soccer in Phildelphia
National Travel to Elite Soccer Tournaments – With funding from the Philadelphia World Cup 2026, an inner-city soccer club can afford to participate in some of the most prestigious youth soccer tournaments in the country. These events not only provide players exposure to top competition, but they also offer the opportunity for college and pro coaches to observe them in action, increasing chances of recruiting.
Supporting Player Development through Education – Philadelphia has a large network of National Association of Independent Schools (NAIA) but the expense of these schools can be prohibitive for many children in low-income areas. By using funds from the World Cup, inner-city clubs can support their players’ development through attending these private academies. The additional support provided by these academies will assist in enhancing techniques and skillsets, ultimately creating more opportunities for players to be recognized by universities and clubs.
Purchasing Video Equipment and Registering players on recruitment sites such as NCSA – With the help of funding from the World Cup, the club can purchase video equipment and use Veo and Hudl to record their matches and highlight players. This video is extremely beneficial for players to air highlights of their matches, and recruiters can access these recordings whenever they want. Additionally, the funding will help players register with recruitment sites like the National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA), which will increase their chances of being identified by university-level soccer programs.
#LETSGETPHILLYUNITED
Philadelphia World Cup 2026 has committed to making improvements in the areas of human rights and educational development as part of their bid to host the World Cup in 2026. This commitment should go hand in hand with support to United Philly Soccer Club, the only select club for high school students in the city, and develop soccer and education within the city limits. By doing so, the city will have taken significant steps towards meeting its commitment to human rights and educational development while also promoting soccer and its power to transform communities.