The 10th Children's World Cup, hosted in Poland, is the world's largest tournament for children in foster care, uniting nearly 250 participants from 24 countries. The event is celebrated not just as a sports competition but as a transformative festival, allowing children to experience joy, friendship, and national pride. Coaches and organisers note its profound impact on the children, helping them rebuild confidence and reshape their identities. Over 10,000 children have benefited from this initiative, highlighting the event's importance to promote support and understanding across cultures through football.
"It is a football festival that they look forward to all year. Here, they can meet their peers, play against each other in a beautiful stadium, listen to the anthems in the final, win a medal or a cup, and simply be representatives of their country," he says.
"When these children are accepted, it transforms something in them, and they start to exist anew. Otherwise, they are hidden, tired, and destroyed; they no longer want to continue. It only takes a moment of care for them to change their personality altogether."
"It's] A wonderful place, a wonderful country. We got to know other cultures," said Manuel, one of the participants, who came from Portugal to compete.
"It's very important to give this opportunity to all children in the world. This is one of the values we have at UEFA Foundation for Children."
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