Initiative prioritizes youth outreach and community inclusion during the FIFA World Cup 2026™
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Seattle, Washington – Today, Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced a historic initiative, in partnership with the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™ Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26) and with the generosity of Seattle sports teams, businesses and community leaders, that will send more than 1,400 youth from our region and their caregivers to FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches in Seattle.
Mayor Katie B. “We believe world-class experiences should be accessible to everyone,” Wilson said. “Sending more than 1,400 youth and their caregivers to the FIFA World Cup reflects the kind of city we want to be: a city that offers them the opportunity to be part of a worldwide event. Years from now, these young people will remember that Seattle invested in them and made them a part of something incredible. I’m grateful to local businesses, Seattle sports teams, and our local organizing committee for making today’s announcement possible.”
This local initiative reflects Seattle’s broader commitment to ensuring that the tournament leaves a lasting, meaningful legacy throughout the region and improving local access to tickets. Today’s initiative has been in development since the Mayor’s first meeting with FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament leadership in early February, where he raised the need to improve local access to matches. Since then, the City and SeattleFWC26 have worked to create the tournament’s largest local youth outreach initiative to date, providing more than 1,400 free tickets.
Each participating youth will receive a match ticket, a stadium meal voucher and a Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ scarf, making for a fulfilling and memorable match day experience. Select non-profit groups will also receive dedicated shuttle service to matches in partnership with King County Metro.
“King County is proud to provide shuttle service to help youth get to and from these games safely and easily, ensuring that transportation is never a barrier to participation in a once-in-a-generation experience,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay.
Recipient organizations have already been identified and will be announced in the coming days, before the tournament’s kickoff. Each of the selected community organizations works across the region with a focus on engaging and supporting young people.
“The Somali Health Board Soccer Club was created to give our youth something to look forward to,” said Najma Osman, Executive Director of the Somali Health Board. “Sending them to the 2026 FIFA World Cup – right here in our home city of Seattle – is more than an exciting experience. It’s a statement that Somali youth belong on the world stage: as fans, as athletes and as future leaders. We’re just getting started.”
“On behalf of AYSA, our youth and our families, thank you very much to Mayor Katie Wilson, the City of Seattle and FIFA for this incredible opportunity,” said Ali Abdullah, Executive Director of the African Youth Sports Academy. “These stamps will create memories our youth will never forget.”
In addition to providing access to matches, the initiative is designed to inspire and engage youth through the global power of soccer, while showcasing Seattle as a city that leads with purpose, inclusion and community investment.
“This initiative would not have happened without an extraordinary community coming together around the power of play,” said Peter Tomozawa, CEO of SeattleFWC26. “The generosity of Seattle’s sports and business communities and Mayor Wilson’s leadership have made this possible.
The initiative partnered with Seattle sports teams, local businesses and companies including Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Boeing, Swire Coca-Cola USA, Expedia, F5, Hudson PPL, Kidder Matthews, Microsoft, PCL Construction, PitchBook, Port of Seattle, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Redapt, Remitly, Salt Chuck, One Roof Foundation, One Roof Sports & Entertainment, Seattle. Support has been generously provided by community leaders including the Mariners, Seattle Reign FC, Seattle. Seahawks, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Storm and University of Washington.
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what people are saying
Ashley Fosberg, Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC Chief Impact and Fan Engagement Officer, and Executive Director of the Rave Foundation
“We are honored to work with the SeattleFWC26 Local Organizing Committee to continue to amplify community and inclusion during this World Cup moment. Ensuring our region’s youth experience this moment is not only the right thing to do, it’s the right thing to do for Seattle. The RAVE Foundation is honored to be one of the organizations selected.”
Zach Hensley, Vice President of Operations, Seattle Seahawks, and General Manager, Lumen Field
“We believe in the power of sports to unite and inspire youth. The Youth Access Initiative will empower more than 1,400 young people to experience an exciting global moment right here at Lumen Field. We’re excited to play a role in building that kind of lasting impact.”
Kevin Martinez, President of Business Operations, Seattle Mariners
“Connecting young people to unforgettable moments through sports is at the core of who we are as an organization. We are proud to partner with Seattle community leaders to expand opportunities for local youth, building on the Mariners’ long-standing commitment to ensuring access to play for kids throughout our region. Seattle is an incredible sports city, and we are thrilled to provide these young fans the opportunity to experience the passion, energy and pride that comes from our teams on the world stage. Defines the area.”
Alisha Valavanis, Seattle Storm President and CEO
“Sports has the power to inspire, connect communities and expand what is possible for young people. The opportunity for Seattle sports organizations to unite around a shared commitment to expanding youth access makes this initiative special. We are proud to support this effort to provide local youth access to a once-in-a-generation event and create memories that last a lifetime.”
Mari Horita, One Roof Sports & Entertainment, SVP, Social Impact & Civic Affairs
“Participating in this historic global event on a local level will create a deep sense of belonging and lifelong memories. One Roof Foundation and One Roof Sports & Entertainment are honored to partner in this collaborative effort to ensure youth from all backgrounds have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Bill Sturud, Chairman, Puyallup Tribe of Indians
“The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is proud to support this initiative, allowing so many young people to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of attending a FIFA World Cup match. As the first sovereign Indigenous nation to become a FIFA World Cup host city supporter, the Puyallup Tribe takes great pride in showing the world that we live in a welcoming and generous region. We hope that the youth attending these matches will carry forward a spirit of generosity and possibility that will carry them for many years to come. “And will strengthen our community.”
Taylor Hoang, Senior Manager, Community Engagement at Amazon
“Expanding access to the FIFA World Cup for youth in the Puget Sound region is exactly the kind of investment that can leave a lasting impact in our community. Amazon is proud to support this historic moment for the Seattle region and help ensure that more local youth have the opportunity to experience it firsthand, as events like this can inspire them and create memories that will last long after the matches.”
Jane Broome, Senior Director, Microsoft Community Affairs
“We’re proud to stand with our fellow Seattle businesses to help open doors for the next generation through the Seattle Youth Access Initiative. At Microsoft, we believe in the power of access to technology, opportunity, and inspiration. By investing in this program, we’re helping to ensure that hundreds of local youth can see themselves on this global stage, feel the energy of sports, and imagine what’s possible for their future.”
भHamdi Mohammed, Seattle Port Commissioner
“I am extremely excited that over 1,400 youth will have the opportunity to watch some of the world’s best players during Summer Soccer in Seattle. This program shows another way that Seattle has focused on the long-term legacy of the Games by providing opportunities to the community and youth beyond simply watching the program on TV. I hope programs like this continue beyond the Games and we can mark today as the starting point of another touch point where Seattle LOC Has left a mark on how games will be played this summer will be remembered.”
President Robert J. Jones, University of Washington
“The University of Washington is honored to help expand access to the matches and is proud that our role as host city supporter allows more youth to experience the excitement and unity of the World Cup. These opportunities ignite the imagination, expand horizons and remind students that their talents and ambitions can be limitless.”
Jochen Koedijk, Chief Marketing Officer, Expedia Group
“Having the World Cup come to Seattle is a once-in-a-generation moment for this city. We’re proud to partner with the Seattle World Cup Local Organizing Committee to make sure people who wouldn’t otherwise have that chance can go inside that stadium and experience it firsthand. Moments like these are formative, because they change how you see the world, and how you see your place in it. We believe travel does the same.”
Angelique Okeke, F5 Executive Vice President and General Counsel
“As a Seattle-founded and headquartered company, we are honored to partner with Mayor Wilson and the local organizing committee to ensure the benefits of being a World Cup host city continue beyond the tournament. There is no better way to create lasting memories than bringing young people to the world’s biggest stage.”
Andrew Fernandez, District Manager of PCL Construction
“PCL is proud to support the Youth Access program, helping to ensure that disadvantaged youth in Seattle have the opportunity to attend a World Cup match. We hope this once-in-a-lifetime experience will create meaningful, lasting memories for the next generation in our community.”
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