Play Coll3ctive: Call for Proposals now open
A joint initiative of adidas Foundation, Beyond Sport and Common Goal
Football can open doors – but only if young people have the chance to step through them.
With the World Cup set to shine a light on sport across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, adidas Foundation, Beyond Sport and Common Goal are launching Play Collective. Developed through adidas Foundation’s Playing for Purpose program, this three-year initiative will support intentional, community-based sport programming with a focus on underserved youth.
Applications are now open for community sport organizations in the tournament’s 16 host city regions, through March 22, 2026.
Promoting active youth, belonging and opportunity
Play Collective is built for organizations working closest to young people – creating safe, inclusive spaces to move, play and grow. The goal is simple: more access, better experiences, and sustained participation in sport and physical activity for young people who face barriers to taking part.
How it will work
Over three years, Play Collective will provide funding and strategic support to at least 21 community sport organizations, with a minimum of one in each FIFA World Cup 2026 host city region. Alongside multi-year grants, participating organizations will take part in a cross-continent Community of Practice designed to strengthen organizational capacity and support shared learning.
What selected organizations receive
- Multi-year grant funding
- Long-term capacity-strengthening support
- A structured Community of Practice for shared learning
- Participation in MEAL (monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning) processes
Request for proposals and info sessions
Organizations committed to supporting inclusive, safe places for play that advance youth health and wellbeing, social connection and positive development are encouraged to apply.
We will also be hosting online information webinars in March for interested organizations:
English webinar: Monday, March 9 at 2:00–3:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM–12:00 PM PST
Register here
Spanish webinar: Tuesday, March 10 at 2:00–3:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM–12:00 PM PST
Register here
Apply for a grant
Community sport organizations in the 16 World Cup host city regions across the USA, Canada and México are invited to submit proposals to join Play Collective by March 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Notifications will be made no later than May 11, 2026.
Download the full funding guidelines here: [link]
Who can apply
Organizations must be:
- Legally registered, politically and religiously independent non-profit with at least two years of youth programming
- Based within 50 miles (80.5 km) of a FIFA World Cup 2026 stadium in the United States, Canada or Mexico
- Delivering programming with a focus on youth with disabilities, and/or girls and young women, and/or LGBTQIA+ youth, and/or young people facing racial and/or ethnic discrimination
- Able to commit to a three-year partnership including MEAL processes and active participation in the Community of Practice
- Including soccer/fútbol within the funded programming
- Able to demonstrate strong organizational governance and sound safeguarding policies and practices
Apply here: https://beyondsport.smapply.io/prog/play_collective/