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ATLANTA, Georgia – The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here, and fans across North America are ready to cheer on their favorite teams.
And many young football fans will have the chance to cheer on these teams while standing on the biggest stage itself.
During each World Cup match, children aged 6 to 10 will accompany the players onto the pitch before kick-off.
It’s a tradition that dates back to 2002, when UNICEF and FIFA teamed up for the “Say Yes for Children” campaign.
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This year’s sponsor of the FIFA breakfast, as well as sponsor of the player support program, is Quaker Oats.
“Together, we teamed up with more than 30 community organizations in 11 host cities across the United States to give 1,400 youth from underserved communities the chance to accompany players on the field,” Quaker said in a press release.
In Atlanta, the community organization chosen for all eight World Cup games is Soccer in the Streets. A non-profit organization that gives children in the greater Atlanta area a chance to learn about soccer, regardless of their economic or social status.
Soccer in the Streets is the official sponsor of player escorts at World Cup matches in Atlanta, Georgia. (Chelsea Torres)
This year alone, 2,500 children will benefit from Soccer in the Streets programs.
“Access starts with making it free for all kids so no one faces a financial barrier to playing this beautiful game,” says Kaseem Ladipo, executive director of Soccer in the Streets.
Ladipo says that in partnership with Common Goal, another national organization, their free downtown soccer league, StationSoccer is the official escort for players at World Cup matches in Atlanta.
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Under StationSoccer, each soccer field is conveniently located near six different train stations in Atlanta.
150 children from the non-profit Soccer in the Streets will be able to accompany the players during the eight World Cup matches at Atlanta Stadium. (Chelsea Torres)
Ladipo says 150 of his players will accompany the players during the eight games at Atlanta Stadium.
“They will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with a FIFA legend or a future FIFA legend.”
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Two of these 150 are playing in the West End.
“It has definitely transformed our household into a soccer hotbed,” says Erica Holloman-Hill, mom of four boys who play for StationSoccer.
Erica says she’s still learning the sport, but her boys playing in this free league has helped them grow in more ways than she imagined.
The youngest, Asun, is 8 years old. Then Asir, 10 years old; Asad, 12 years old and the eldest, Asim, 14 years old. Erica named them the “A Team.”
Mum of four, Erica Holloman-Hill sits with her four boys and nephew at StationSoccer – West End. (Chelsea Torres)
When asked what their favorite part of playing with each other was, Asad immediately responded, “We get to teach each other skills and we get to see how good they are.”
Erica tells FOX when she first heard about StationSoccer’s vision, she was hesitant. But now her four boys have been doing well for two years.
And with the world’s biggest tournament in their backyard, his two youngest sons will have the chance of a lifetime.
As part of the Quaker Oats partnership, Asun and Asir were chosen to participate in a “Breakfast Academy” hosted by Quaker.
“We learned a lot about fine grains, whole grains, half grains, water, fruits and everything else,” says Asun.
After learning about nutrition and showing great leadership on and off the field, Asun and his brother Asir were selected to accompany the players during the South Africa vs Czech Republic match on June 18 at Atlanta Stadium.
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Asir says he’s excited, but also “a little nervous because I’ve never escorted anyone.”
He says every day he thinks about being on the field, but even when he’s not awake.
“I think about it in my sleep too.”
