Genuine Cup 2026 Kicks Off in Houston, with Para Football connecting delegations from many countries
Genuine Cup 2026 Kicks Off in Houston, with Para Football connecting delegations from many countries
More than 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism from 52 countries gather at Rice University July 27 – August 1 for one of the world's largest international tournaments for athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism.
The Genuine Cup 2026 kicks off this week at Rice University, bringing together more than 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism from 52 countries for a week of competition, connection and community running July 27 – August 1. Hosted by the Genuine Foundation, the tournament has grown quickly since launching in 2024 into one of the world's largest international sporting events for athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism.
The tournament followed Genuine Connect, a two-day forum held at Rice University ahead of the Genuine Cup that brought together policymakers, employers, educators and advocates to discuss inclusive employment pathways for the IDD community.
Behind several of the delegations taking part is months of groundwork by Para Football, which spent the spring reaching out to national football associations, national Paralympic committees and Special Olympics programmes across Europe, the Middle East and beyond to open the door for their players to take part. That outreach helped confirm delegations from countries for this year's tournament such as: Egypt (through Helm Egypt), Finland (Football Association of Finland / Palloliitto), Jordan (Bloom), Bangladesh (Sports and Cultural Society of the Disabled), Latvia (Latvian Football Federation), Northern Ireland (Irish Football Association), Slovakia (Slovak CP Football) and Slovenia (Football Association of Slovenia).
"None of this happens without a lot of quiet, persistent work: emails, calls, follow-ups, and connecting the right people to the right opportunity," said Sam Turner - Para Football Trustee. "So proud of what our team has built here, and even prouder of the players and teams who'll get to step onto the pitch because of it."
Para Football's involvement doesn't end at the tournament gate. Our volunteer Zhanna Tlegenova is on the ground in Houston all week as a delegation ambassador – a liaison role supporting logistics, language and day-to-day athlete experience – and is documenting her volunteer journey alongside coverage of the delegations Para Football helped bring to Houston. That content will run across Para Football's social channels and website throughout the tournament.
Tournaments like the Genuine Cup give athletes with intellectual disabilities and autism a global stage, and show what's possible when federations, foundations and volunteers commit to making that stage accessible. Para Football wishes every athlete, coach and delegation the very best of luck this week in Houston.
