As World Cup fever hits Los Angeles, CoachArt is ensuring every child has a place in the beautiful game

Los Angeles welcomed the world's attention as it hosted USA’s opening match vs. Paraguay on June 12. The match provided an electrifying performance from the USMNT, who secured the first victory of their World Cup campaign 4-1. During a summer of soccer, the Los Angeles sporting landscape is hoping to demonstrate its ability to inspire far beyond the pitch. 

While the city prepares for the Belgium vs. Iran game on June 21 and additional games, one Los Angeles-based nonprofit is preparing to ensure that World Cup fever reaches communities who are often excluded from traditional sporting opportunities.

CoachArt, an organization dedicated to supporting children impacted by serious illness, has been named a project partner of the Play Collective initiative.  

READ MORE: What is Play Collective?

Play Collective is a joint initiative of the adidas Foundation, Beyond Sport and and Common Goal to improve access to and long-term participation in sport by creating safer, more inclusive opportunities for underserved young people in regions hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

The initiative provides 21 selected organizations such as CoachArt with multi-year grants, as well as learning support and access to a collaborative network that helps strengthen program delivery and impact. This represents an opportunity to ensure that the excitement surrounding this summer creates lasting impact for children who need it most.

CoachArt develop “Home-Pitch” model to improve access to soccer

Supported by Play Collective funding over three years, CoachArt will pilot and expand an adaptive soccer model designed for children and young people aged 5–18 who are impacted by serious or chronic illnesses, such as cancer, sickle cell disease and autoimmune conditions. Many participants also experience associated physical or developmental disabilities, making access to inclusive sport opportunities especially important.

Central to the initiative is the development of an adaptive soccer curriculum, allowing hospital-bound and home-bound children to participate in soccer activities regardless of their physical location or medical circumstances.

CoachArt's adaptive model will combine digital training with equipment delivered directly to families in homes and hospitals, tailored to individuals and offered free of charge, removing many of the barriers that prevent children and young people with serious and chronic illnesses from accessing sport and physical activity. 

Building a lasting legacy beyond the World Cup

The world's biggest sporting events often leave behind discussions about infrastructure, impact and legacy, and this summer is no different.

For non-profit organizations like CoachArt, the Play Collective partnership will allow them to expand further. Founded in 2001, CoachArt has spent 25 years helping children impacted by serious illness and their siblings with caring volunteer mentors who provide free adaptive arts, athletics and STEM lessons, and they are not done yet. 

CoachArt’s long-term vision is powerful yet simple: a world where every child impacted by serious illness can create, connect and thrive. The next stage will focus on achieving this through the universal language and love of soccer.

At a time when soccer is being celebrated in Los Angeles, across World Cup group games, Round of 32 matches and a quarterfinal match, CoachArt’s work serves as a reminder that the impact of sport is more than the score after 90 minutes.