Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The 2026 Special Olympics European Football Week took place from 23 to 30 May, engaging over 30,000 participants with and without intellectual disabilities across more than 300 events in 40 countries throughout Europe and Asia. Activities included local "Come and Try" sessions, national football competitions, World Football Day celebrations on 25 May, EU-funded "I Coach Girls+" events, and initiatives linked to major football events such as the UEFA Champions League final held in Budapest.
UEFA has partnered with Special Olympics for over two decades, providing support through funding, visibility platforms, event activations, and collaboration with national football associations. This partnership has strengthened participation and raised awareness of athletes with intellectual disabilities since the launch of European Football Week in 1999. Filippo Veglio, UEFA's chief of social and environmental sustainability, expressed pride in supporting Special Olympics and emphasized the inclusive aim of the #FootbALL programme.
Central to Special Olympics football is the "Unified" model, which brings together players with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. This approach demonstrates how football fosters understanding, friendship, and belonging. Sven Albrecht, Special Olympics Eurasia president and managing director, highlighted football's ability to unite people and acknowledged UEFA's ongoing support to promote football as a game for everyone.
Special Olympics activities in Budapest also serve UEFA’s broader mission to use major events to focus on social and environmental sustainability.