More Than a World Cup Moment

1,400 young people from underserved communities to step onto soccer’s biggest stage at the FIFA World Cup 26 through Quaker Oats and Common Goal 

For more than 1,400 young people from underserved communities across the United States, the FIFA World Cup 26 will not just be something they watch on television. Through Quaker and Common Goal, they will step onto the pitch as part of the FIFA World Cup 26 Player Escort Program — a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the biggest stage in soccer. 

Across 66 matches hosted in the United States, young people from 32 soccer for good community organizations will walk players onto the field before kick-off, representing the communities, vision, and potential that exist far beyond the spotlight of the game. 

"FIFA World Cup is one of the most universal moments in global sport, bringing people together in a way few things can, and that's the same powerful connection we see around the breakfast table every day," said Tina Mahal, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Quaker Foods. "At a moment when millions of fans are inspired and energized, we wanted to be part of a bigger conversation—providing resources around daily nutrition for families and communities and inspiring the next generation with moments both on and off the field."   

Each participant was selected through one of Common Goal’s 32 local community partners across all 11 FIFA World Cup™ host cities. To be eligible, participants not only met the tournament’s requirements, but also completed more than eight hours of educational programming focused on nutrition and wellbeing.  

Through the creation and delivery of more than 40,000 hours of educational programming focused on nutrition fundamentals, hydration, and family and coach engagement, the initiative is directly supporting more than 4,000 young people from underserved communities and their families to build habits, confidence, and support systems designed to last well beyond the tournament. 

Together, this experience is designed to not only create unforgettable memories, but to ensure that there is lasting support surrounding the participating young people well beyond the tournament.  

“For many of these young people, this will be far more than a walk onto the pitch. It is a moment of recognition, belonging, and possibility on the biggest stage in football,” said Mary Connor, Common Goal CEO. “Through this partnership with Quaker, we are connecting the FIFA World Cup back to the communities that give the game its meaning every day, while fostering a love of the game and strengthening support systems that can have a lasting impact far beyond the tournament.” 

For Common Goal, the initiative also reflects a long-standing belief that soccer’s biggest tournaments should create meaningful opportunities far beyond the final whistle. 

For more than two decades, Common Goal has worked to connect major moments in soccer back to the communities that shape the game every day. From the first streetfootballworld Festival during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany to community-led activations around tournaments across the globe, creating social legacy alongside soccer spectacle has been a core part of the organization’s history. 

This partnership with Quaker continues that journey at the FIFA World Cup 26. By connecting every match in the United States to young people and grassroots organizations already driving change in their communities, the initiative helps ensure the tournament leaves behind more than memories. It creates visibility, recognition, access, and long-term investment in the people and organizations using soccer as a force for opportunity and belonging every day. 

The scale of the FIFA World Cup 26 is unprecedented. For Common Goal, the opportunity is not only to bring young people closer to the tournament, but to bring the tournament itself closer to community.