U.S. Soccer, the Soccer Forward Foundation, and Bank of America have launched Soccer at Schools, a national initiative designed to make soccer accessible to every school in the country by 2030. The program aims to expand access ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by equipping educators, state soccer associations, community organizations, and parents with resources including PE activities, training, equipment, and a Soccer at Schools Starter Kit.
The initiative targets significant equity gaps in youth sports. According to the organizers, 67% of parks departments report insufficient sports fields, 82% of agencies report coach shortages, and one in five school-aged children is obese with 71% not meeting physical activity recommendations.
The launch celebration at Odyssey Charter in Altadena, California featured David Beckham and Sydney Leroux conducting a soccer clinic for 500 students. Additional activations are planned in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chicago, with an official engagement platform launching in summer 2026.