More than 80 young players from Street Soccer USA competed in a football tournament at the FIFA Arena in New York's Central Park, organised under FIFA's Football for Schools programme. The event unfolded on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ final at the New York New Jersey stadium.

Each participant received a pair of football boots through FIFA's Boots for All programme, which aims to ensure children have access to basic equipment needed to play the game safely. The FIFA Arena in Central Park is one of 26 mini-pitches that have been opened across the New York area as part of FIFA's community outreach efforts.

A first positive sports experience

Franck Castillo, Director of Football for Schools, described the occasion as a landmark moment.