Soccer Without Borders

Every World Cup creates new heroes. Some of the most powerful stories, however, began long before the first whistle.

Through its Gamechangers initiative, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is sharing the stories of players whose lives have been shaped by forced displacement. Their journeys remind us that where someone starts in life does not define what they can achieve.

At SWB, these stories resonate deeply. Every day, we see young people discover confidence, connection, and belonging through the global game. Their experiences are a reminder that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.

Thank you to UNHCR for allowing us to share these powerful stories and help amplify their message.

Today is World Refugee Day, a time to recognize the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees around the world while reaffirming our collective responsibility to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live in safety and dignity.

This year's theme, "Until Everyone is Safe," is both a call to action and a reminder that safety means more than protection from harm. It means having a place to belong, a community that welcomes you, and the opportunity to play, learn, and grow.

The need remains urgent. According to UNHCR's latest Global Trends Report, 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of 2025, meaning 1 in every 70 people on Earth had been forced to flee their homes. Nearly 39% were children.

We are proud to stand alongside partners across the globe as a member and co-convenor of the Sport for Refugees Coalition, working to ensure that displaced young people have access to safe, inclusive spaces where they can thrive. As the coalition reminds us this World Refugee Day: until everyone is safe, our work continues.

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth and the generations of Black leaders, educators, mentors, and community builders who are helping shape a more just future.

Wishing everyone a happy and meaningful Juneteenth 2026.

Soccer may be the world's game, but its impact is deeply personal.

In this story from WMAR-2 News Baltimore, SWB alumnus and Board Member Warshan Hussin reflects on arriving in Baltimore as a newcomer and how soccer helped him find friendship, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Years later, he continues to give back to the community that helped shape his journey.

We're grateful to WMAR-2 News for highlighting Warshan's story and the many ways soccer can help young people feel at home.

Read more below.

As the World Cup kicks off in the US, a Baltimore man credits soccer with transforming his life Warshan Hussin came to Baltimore from Iraq, not speaking English. Soccer Without Borders gave him a community — and now he's giving back as a board member.

In Baltimore, Soccer Without Borders Offers Refugee Girls a Team to Join On a soccer field in northeast Baltimore, coach Hajar Abulfazl is surrounded by her players after practice at Soccer Without Borders, a non-profit organization with chapters across the United States and around the world, which helps underserved youth, particularly refugees and newcomers to the U.S.,...