Photo: Special Olympics.
From July 6 to 11, France will host the third edition of the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup in Paris. More than 300 players, with and without intellectual disabilities, will be on the field competing for the title. An event that " This initiative is a continuation of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the national momentum in favor of inclusive sport. " said Sports Minister Marina Ferrari. Julien Collette, director of Special Olympics France, speaks before the start of the tournament.
What is at stake in such an event?
We want to show that the Paralympic Games have a truly inclusive legacy, one that also benefits people with intellectual disabilities. Sport can be a powerful driver of inclusion, well-being, and healthier lives for people with intellectual disabilities, especially when it is unified, bringing together people with and without disabilities. The challenge is to promote inclusive sport and, through this momentum, build an inclusive sporting offering, particularly within football clubs.
Were the Paris Games a trigger for applying?
Their success was a catalyst. It convinced us that we absolutely had to seize the opportunity to continue demonstrating the inclusive power of sport by hosting another major inclusive event in Paris. The success of the Paralympic Games was the catalyst.
Was it deliberate to hold this World Cup at the same time as the FIFA World Cup?
Yes, we saw it as an opportunity. The Special Olympics movement is very powerful in the United States, and also in Germany and Italy. In France, it's relatively unknown; we're starting from scratch. It was all the more important that the first international event hosted in France be held in Paris, building on the legacy of the Games and in connection with the FIFA World Cup, since it's a unified football World Cup. The world's eyes are on football, and this is a way for us to show that there's another World Cup, which is just as worthwhile.
Do you have any indicators that demonstrate interest from the media, sponsors, or the public?
We organized a training session open to the public and the media on June 5th. The specialized press was there, as well as the general press. Stade 2 is following an athlete for a report, and L'Equipe has published its first article on Special Olympics… Yes, interest is growing. Special Olympics is still relatively unknown in France, but thanks to this event, we're starting to reach interested audiences and show that there can be another World Cup within the current landscape.
The French Football Federation (FFF) is supporting you on this project. Are you in discussions with them about the possibility of introducing inclusive football into clubs?
Yes. We should be pleased that the French Football Federation (FFF) believed in this project from the very beginning in February 2025. When we launched the bid, the federation immediately believed in it because this event will use the universality of football to showcase the inclusive power of sport. This resonates strongly with the federation, also because it has an inclusive policy. Many clubs and districts already have significant initiatives in place. Previously, we were already partnered with the Moselle football district for local initiatives. The Paris and Dordogne districts also have well-developed inclusive football programs that deserve greater recognition. The goal is for sport to reach out to healthcare and social service facilities, and not necessarily the other way around.
What can the public expect?
It's a true football experience, with great play and teams from all over the world: Brazil, Spain, but also countries not usually on the football map, like China and India. There will be a fantastic, international, and supportive atmosphere, because that's what our cause demands. We also have a strong connection with the athletes at an event like this. The spectator experience is very powerful. There will be many young people from youth centers, and the athletes' families. We're inviting member schools to send delegations; several hundred of our athletes will be there with their coaches and staff. People who register are generally already aware of the cause, but we can also attract families.
