Common Goal x Soccer Forward

Common Goal and Soccer Forward Team Up to Connect Communities in the Run-Up to the FIFA World Cup 2026

As the United States prepares to co-host the biggest soccer event in history in 2026, Common Goal and Soccer Forward Foundation are partnering to ensure the tournament’s impact extends far beyond the final whistle. Together, the two organizations are launching Soccer Forward Fests, as part of US Soccer’s national legacy campaign to center soccer as a force for good by “Keeping Score of What Matters.” 

Starting 100 days before the opening match and continuing through the final whistle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccer Forward Fests invites communities nationwide to celebrate the sport in ways that feel authentic to them. Each Fest — whether a cultural celebration, youth tournament, block party, school event, field day, or community fair — will help shape a collective national legacy to unlock a culture of soccer that redefines the scores that count.  

Over the last two decades, Common Goal has championed festivals alongside FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup. The first festival took place in Berlin, Germany in 2006 bringing together a dozen football for good organizations from 5 continents for a tournament centered on peace-building and cross-cultural unity. Most recently, Festival ‘23 in Sydney Australia brought together youth leaders from 42 countries, and welcomed youth from XX community programs across Australia for 7 days of celebration and learning, with a focus on advancing equity on and off the pitch for women and girls.  

“As a 12 year old soccer player, my formative playing years were shaped so profoundly by the 1994 FIFA World Cup, 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup being hosted in the USA all in a row,” said Mary Connor, Common Goal’s USA Executive Director, “With the FIFA World Cup 2026, 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the horizon, we have the same incredible opportunity to shape the culture of soccer in this country not only for the next 5 years, but for a generation to come. Soccer Forward Fests is an opportunity to kick off this generational moment with an emphasis on the way that soccer can connect us all, through joy, community, culture, and friendship.” 

In 2026, the FIFA World Cup will take a new shape, with 16 distinct host cities and a record 48 countries participating. Soccer Forward Fests provide an avenue for communities of all sizes, shapes, and geographies across the United States to be connected in this pivotal moment for the sport, unlocking soccer’s potential in their own community in ways that matter most to them.  

Soccer Forward Foundation is US Soccer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup legacy foundation, spearheading the growth of soccer for everyone, everywhere in the USA. 

“We’ve been speaking to so many people in our ecosystem about the scores that matter to them,” said Soccer Forward Executive Director Lex Chalat. “Barely anyone shares a score about winning. They talk about how soccer has changed or inspired them. How it gives them hope or meaning. When you start keeping score of what matters, soccer's power is undeniable.”

The Soccer Forward Fests Initiative is built on a simple belief: soccer has the power to bring people together and strengthen communities. Anyone can host a Fest by evolving an existing event or creating a new one to celebrate soccer in their community. While distinctly local in their design and implementation, all fests will unite by sharing the “scores that matter” through the national platform hosted by Soccer Forward and Common Goal. From the number of languages spoken at an event, to minutes of active play, to first-time players, to high fives and orange slices, Fests will shine a spotlight on the side of soccer that measures success in togetherness and joy. These local scores will ultimately contribute to a national tapestry showcasing the diverse culture of soccer in communities across the country.  

Momentum is already building. Organizations across 24 states have expressed interest in registering an event, ranging from district-wide school celebrations to statewide community engagement tours, cultural festivals, and collaborations with local government officials.  By registering their event, communities can join the movement and receive tools, ideas, and guidance to help bring their Fest to life. 

To support Fest hosts, Soccer Forward and Common Goal are providing a comprehensive toolkit with planning templates, partner engagement tips, soccer activity ideas, community engagement resources, safety guidance, and media and promotional support. Beyond resources, the two organizations will help elevate Fest stories nationally by highlighting events on their platforms, sharing best practices, amplifying each community’s “Score that Matters.” 

Every community has its own way of celebrating the game.  If you’d like yours to be part of the 2026 story, you can register a Fest and Keep the score of what matters most for you and your community here