Team Bharat ahead of the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup in Paris
India will be represented by ‘Team Bharat’ at the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026, reinforcing the country’s commitment to inclusive sports and showcasing one of the world’s largest Special Olympics programmes. The tournament will take place in Paris from July 6-11, bringing together teams from across the globe in a celebration of inclusion through sport.
In a press statement, Special Olympics Bharat says that Team Bharat’s participation reflects its mission of creating opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities through sport and promoting inclusion at every level.
It adds that the organisation supports more than 1.8 million athletes and Unified Partners, creating one of the largest inclusive sports networks in the world.
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According to the statement, Special Olympics Bharat has a presence across 30 States and Union Territories, ensuring that inclusive sports programmes reach communities throughout the country.
It says that the movement is powered by a dedicated network of more than 50,000 coaches and volunteers, who play a key role in training athletes, conducting competitions and expanding year-round sports programmes.
The organisation adds that it offers training and competition in 26 Olympic-type sports, providing athletes with diverse opportunities to participate, develop their skills and compete at national and international levels.
It further adds that participation at the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup Paris 2026 highlights India’s growing commitment to inclusion through sport, where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities compete together as teammates, fostering acceptance, respect and equal opportunities.
