Team Canada has arrived in Paris for the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026!
What is the Unified Football World Cup?
The Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup brings together Unified teams, athletes with and without intellectual disabilities playing side by side, from around the globe. Paris 2026 marks the third edition of the tournament, following Chicago (2018) and Detroit (2022), and it's the first time the event has ever been held in Europe.
From July 6 to 11, 24 delegations will compete across four venues in Paris: Stade Charléty, Paris Université Club, Dalmasso Stadium, and West Stadium. Team Canada is one of 12 nations competing in the Women's tournament, alongside Azerbaijan, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, France, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Namibia, Slovakia, Thailand, and the USA.
Each Women's Unified team fields 11 players: six Special Olympics athletes and five Unified partners, with seven players on the field at any time. It's competitive football, built on the idea that teammates with and without intellectual disabilities are stronger together.
When Team Canada Plays
The tournament kicks off today with the opening ceremony and matches at Stade Charléty. Team Canada takes the pitch for the first time tomorrow, with these group stage matches scheduled at Dalmasso Stadium:
- Tuesday, July 7 — 11:30 AM: Canada vs. Hong Kong
- Wednesday, July 8 — 12:00 PM: Slovakia vs. Canada
- Wednesday, July 8 — 6:00 PM: Egypt vs. Canada
Please note: Special Olympics has issued a heat advisory affecting the schedule from July 7–9, and some match times have been adjusted to cooler parts of the day. Confirm exact kickoff times and check the official schedule and results page before heading to the pitch.
Knockout rounds follow on July 10 (semi-finals) and July 11 (finals and closing ceremony), with Team Canada's path depending on how the group stage plays out.
How to Watch
You can follow every match live on the Special Olympics YouTube channel. Full tournament details are also available on the official Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup page.
Get to Know the Team
Amran Tadele
Amran is a Unified Partner from Ontario who is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen and supported. Since joining Special Olympics just over a year ago, she's gotten involved through the Youth Summit, Provincial Championships, the Unified Leadership Council, and volunteering at athlete showcases. An honour roll student and incoming university student, Amran is proud to represent Canada in Paris.
Harley Moon
Harley is a multi-sport athlete from Ontario who has already made an impressive impact through Special Olympics. Since joining in 2024, she's competed in track, floorball, basketball, and bocce, while also playing baseball with Quinte Challenger. Harley has overcome significant health challenges with remarkable determination and is excited to represent Canada at her first Unified Football World Cup.
Karissa Flemington
Karissa is a dedicated multi-sport athlete whose journey with Special Olympics has helped her build confidence, form lasting friendships, and showcase her athletic abilities. A consistent track and field medalist, Karissa is preparing for her first Unified Football World Cup while getting ready to begin college at Mohawk this fall.
Lydia Kirupa
Lydia has experienced Special Olympics from every angle — as a Unified Partner, volunteer, employee, and youth leader. A graduate in Political Science and Law, she helped support the development of the Unified Leadership Council while building a career dedicated to inclusion. She's also a member of Guyana's National Women's Soccer Team and is proud to represent Unified sport on the world stage.
Makayla Mailhot
Makayla is a Unified Partner who is passionate about inclusion and helping others feel they belong. Now in her second year with Special Olympics, she's built meaningful friendships while supporting athletes both on and off the field. A University of Windsor student and member of her university's women's hockey team, Makayla is excited to represent Canada in Paris.
Randyll Strongman
Randyll has spent the past eight years making an impact through Unified sport as an athlete, coach, volunteer, and leader. A Sports Management student at Brock University and member of the Brock women's hockey team, she's passionate about creating inclusive environments where every athlete feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.
Sophia Daicopoulos
Sophia has been involved with Special Olympics since 2022, combining her love of sport with a passion for inclusion. A Unified Partner, volunteer, and York University Concurrent Education student, she's dedicated to helping athletes feel supported, confident, and valued. Sophia is excited to represent Canada in Paris while continuing to pursue her goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.
Spring Ding
Spring has been involved with Special Olympics for more than seven years, competing in multiple sports while serving as an ambassador and community volunteer. Passionate about inclusion and giving back, she's proudly represented Special Olympics through community initiatives and fundraising efforts, and is excited to continue inspiring others through sport in Paris.
Samantha Hollingsworth
Sam discovered her passion for sport and a true sense of belonging through Special Olympics. After competing in basketball and floorball for four years, she's excited to represent Canada at her first Unified Football World Cup. A Durham College student, Sam continues to build confidence both on and off the field while inspiring those around her.
Rae'Anna Knight
Rae'Anna has been involved with Special Olympics for five years, competing in track and field, shot put, and bocce while building confidence and lifelong friendships along the way. A dedicated volunteer at the Abilities Centre, she's proud to represent Canada in Paris and hopes to inspire others by showing that anything is possible.
Yazmine Wilson-Daponte
Yazmine has been involved with Special Olympics since she was 10 years old, competing in a variety of sports while embracing every opportunity to grow, connect, and have fun. A passionate athlete and advocate for inclusion, she's proud to represent Canada in Paris and is excited to experience her first international competition with Team Canada.
Meet the Coaches
Amanda Morra, Head Coach
Amanda has dedicated more than 15 years to Special Olympics, serving as a coach, educator, and advocate for inclusion. As Head Coach of Team Canada's Women's 3×3 Unified Basketball Team and Head Coach for the Unified Football Team, she's passionate about creating opportunities for athletes to thrive both on and off the field. Amanda is proud to lead Team Canada onto the world stage in Paris.
Jennifer Kil, Coach
Jennifer was named Special Olympics Ontario's 2025 Educator of the Year for her remarkable leadership and dedication to inclusion through sport. As ACL of Health and Physical Education at Albert Campbell Collegiate, she's transformed her school's Unified Sports programs into thriving examples of teamwork and belonging, uniting students with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates. This past June, Jennifer led three Unified teams to the Provincial School Championships in Ottawa and served as the TDSB liaison for six additional schools, coordinating transportation, logistics, and funding so every student could take part. Jennifer is proud to bring that same spirit of inclusion to Team Canada in Paris.
Kaitlin Ireland, Coach
Kaitlin has been involved with Special Olympics for 10 years, coaching athletes and helping create inclusive opportunities through sport. A teacher at Eastdale CVI and longtime coach of the Toronto FC Unified team, she's passionate about supporting athletes on and off the field. Kaitlin is proud to help lead Team Canada as they compete in Paris.
Join us in cheering on Team Canada from July 7-11! Follow along on our social channels and tune in to the Special Olympics YouTube channel to watch every match live.