As the World Cup gets underway, here is a snapshot of their stories on the tournament so far.

The reporters have shared hopes for a moment when the spotlight will be on 48 national teams competing in their communities. They have expressed concerns about visas, immigration and who will be able to access the games, explored the impacts on local transit and called for acknowledgement of the workers - in hotels, restaurants, airports, stadiums and public places - who make events like this happen.

They have brought a human rights lens to a visit to the World Cup stadium in Guadalajara; reported on the momentum the World Cup can bring for the men’s and the women’s game in the USA; explored the links between football and peace in the past and today; and celebrated the energy of global fan communities in Toronto.

Throughout, the reporters have gained skills, confidence and connection with each other, learning from their diverse perspectives and contexts.

Keep following Youth Media Forward for views on the tournament and for stories that go beyond major events, exploring the impacts of sports in young people’s daily lives.

From “Una visita al Estadio Akron en Guadalajara”, photo essays

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Youth Media Forward is part of the Generation 2026 initiative, advancing youth agency and safety in the context of the World Cup 2026 and in day-to-day sports in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Words: Naira M, Toronto

I grew up believing that sport was fair. That the rules were the same for everyone. That talent, discipline, and heart were what decided who won and who lost. As an 18-year-old girl from Toronto, born and raised here, in a Pakistani family, I now understand how incomplete that story is. Long before the whistle blows, long before the race begins, many athletes have already lost something far more important than a match: their safety, their freedom, and sometimes their right to be seen at all.

We like to pretend that sport floats above politics. But neutrality belongs to those whose passports hold value, whose bodies are not controlled by law or gender expectations, and whose governments do not decide whether they are allowed to exist in public.

Caster Semenya is a South African middle-distance runner and Olympic champion whose career has been shaped not just by competition, but by constant scrutiny over her eligibility to compete. Despite her success on the world stage, she has faced - and challenged - rules that would require her to medically lower her natural testosterone levels in order to continue racing in women’s events.

Her situation shows how sport can move beyond measuring performance and begin regulating bodies, forcing athletes to change themselves in order to be considered “acceptable” competitors. Semenya’s experience raises a difficult question: when excellence is not enough on its own, what exactly is sport judging? Ability, or conformity?

In Iran, a woman’s body is treated as a political battleground. When climber Elnaz Rekabi competed without a hijab in 2022, her climb became well known. She was not shouting. She was not holding a sign. She was simply existing in her own body and that was enough to trigger punishment. After returning home, she reportedly faced pressure and restrictions. And in 2025, she left the country. Her climb exposed an uncomfortable truth that in some countries, even breathing freely in sport is considered rebellion.

In Afghanistan, even that “rebellion” has been erased entirely. Under Taliban rule, girls and women have been pushed out of sport, out of stadiums, and out of public life. Former athletes have gone into hiding. Years of training, discipline, and dreams disappeared overnight.

When the Afghan football federation refused to recognize its women’s teams, the national players, living in exile, embarked on a long, determined fight to be allowed to compete internationally. They won a major breakthrough in May 2026, when FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation said that Afghan Women United is eligible to represent Afghanistan in official matches. The Afghan women’s cricket team is still pushing for the International Cricket Council to follow this precedent and recognize their team.

From Canada, it is “mostly” easy to take access for granted. I can walk into a gym without fear. I can wear what I choose. I can compete without wondering if I will be arrested, followed, or punished for showing up. This is not something I earned. It is something I inherited. Recognizing that is not about guilt it is about responsibility.

Athletes like Muhammad Ali and Ibtihaj Muhammad remind us that sport has never been separate from justice.

Ali refused a war, when he did not fight in Vietnam. Muhammad claimed space for Muslim women on the Olympic stage. Their legacies alone prove the importance of speaking up and that that silence is not neutral. Silence sides with power.

Every time we cheer, we should ask a question. Who is missing from this field and why? Whose name never made the roster because borders were closed, bodies were controlled, or voices were silenced?

Sport is often marketed as a dream. But for many marginalized athletes, it is something heavier and braver than that. It is proof of life, resistance in motion, a refusal to disappear quietly. More than medals, it is about the radical act of being seen.

Naira is a Toronto-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Toronto participants here

Words: Camilla S, New York New Jersey

From the chronically online to the chronically offline, it’s been hard for anyone to escape Alysa Liu this year. The 20-year-old ice skater from Oakland, California and two-time Olympic gold medalist is everywhere. Clips of her skating routine to the song “Stateside”, her interviews, a cover on Teen Vogue, videos of fans recreating her performance in their bedrooms. Colorful art and animations. Tips on how to copy her make-up, her alternative style, and even a few attempts at imitating her iconic “halo” hairstyle. She’s even had a recent cameo in musical artist Laufey’s, star-studded music video for, “Madwoman”, a video that, as of now, has racked up 18 million views on Youtube.

Her success not only as an athlete but also a pop-culture phenomenon could be attributed to many factors:her talent, her dedication, and her unique energy. But at least online, among Americans, the reasons for some praise – and some backlash – seem to go beyond sport or style.

In a Youtube video titled, “People love Alysa Liu Regardless of Her Politics”, Brett Cooper, a prominent political commentator who NPR has described as conservative, starts off with a very matter-of-fact observation about Liu: “She’s a zoomer daughter of immigrants who was raised in Oakland, California… Like, big woop. She’s probably on the left.”

Cooper isn’t wrong. In a Rolling Stone interview, Liu described coming from a liberal family. She mentioned various issues that she cared about, including, “A lot of climate stuff. But mostly election things, Black Lives Matter, Stop Asian Hate, ICE protests.”

Despite the opposing viewpoints Cooper doesn’t really care. But it seems to come with a stipulation. Liu, according to Cooper, “checked her personal politics at the door.”

“You know what value I share with Alysa Liu?” Megyn Kelly, a registered independent and former Fox News host asked on her talk show, the “Megyn Kelly Show. “She loves America. That’s enough.”

The conversation requires context. This past winter Olympics could be described as anything but apolitical, especially when it comes to the United States’ role. From the boos when the Vice President appeared on camera at the opening ceremony. To the skier from Great Britain who spelled “F— Ice” with his pee, to video clips of gold-medal winning men’s Ice Hockey team’s call with the US President.

Even one of Liu’s fellow Team USA skaters, Hunter Hess, described, “mixed emotions” when it came to representing the US at the current moment. “Just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US,” he said.

All of these things received immense backlash online by different sides of the political spectrum.

This conversation mirrors ones happening in other industries, around other public figures, in this current divisive moment in US and global politics.

In a recent interview, Colombian artist and grammy-winner Karol G told Playboy magazine that she wanted to speak out against ICE, but “People will say, ‘It’s better you don’t.’” She pointed out there’s always the risk of a visa getting taken away if someone in power decides they wanted to make a point.

Karol G also pointed out a pivotal aspect of this discussion: “What impact does it really have to say ‘ICE Out’ versus something else that can have a real impact on my community?”

Does speaking out as celebrities or athletes have an actual impact? Should the figures use their influence to shape public opinion? What’s the line where something becomes political? In Cooper’s eyes, Alysa stands as an opposite to the Hunter Hesses of the world. In her eyes, Liu keeps it on the ice. However, no matter how “apolitical” Liu is claimed to be, she exists in a political world.

Alysa Liu has been relentlessly compared online to Eileen Gu, an Olympic skier who also competed in Italy. Both are American-born, Californians, and children of Chinese immigrants. However, Liu represents the United States in competitions and Gu represents China – two countries that have long been engaged in a geopolitical rivalry.

In a Tweet on “X” (formerly known as Twitter) Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, described Eileen Gu’s decision to represent Team China saying, “there must be consequences for those who betray the United States and support our adversaries.” The phrase “Be Alysa Liu” spread online among Gu critics. Alysa Liu, in many people’s eyes, is the opposite to Hess. To Gu. She doesn’t say she has “mixed emotions”, she represents team USA, despite being of Chinese descent. She is the perfect, shining example.

Even Liu’s features have been a part of the conversation. After showing her bare face in a recent interview, some were critical of her looks. In one tweet someone wrote, “makeup should be criminalized”. Rasmr, a streamer, described her in a video as a “beautiful mid” saying she was someone who wouldn’t “scare off men or make women jealous”. The perfect in-between. In an Instagram reel, a brand showed a photo of a Liu as a young girl and then one of her in her full performance glam. The text read, “same person btw” and the caption described how to achieve this transformation.

Alysa Liu has been having an incredible moment. Not simply as an amazingly talented and well-decorated athlete, but also as a cultural phenomenon. She is so much more than that though, she’s young kids getting represented and feeling inspired to try a sport and alternative style in full view. And just someone who is incredibly talented and passionate. There is so much joy in the videos of kids trying to copy her ice routines and the young girls with bright halos and the people making cartoons of her performances in glitter-covered outfits. Yet this stardom seems to come with stipulations hidden behind the compliments.

Liu does not just have to have the skill of a gold medal Olympic skater to keep this public praise. She also has to “keep politics at the door”. She has to be “loyal”. She has to look attractive. As an Asian American young woman she has to jump after every hurdle and every small box. Then, only just then, can she maybe be our American. What exactly does that say about the internet? What does that say about us?

Camilla is a New York New Jersey based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the New York New Jersey participants here

¿Qué derechos humanos evoca una visita a un estadio de fútbol?

Ocho participantes en la Iniciativa para Jóvenes Periodistas en Guadalajara visitaron el Estadio Akron.

En estos breves ensayos fotográficos, comparten cómo la experiencia les permitió identificar aspectos de derechos humanos en el deporte, desde la no discriminación, hasta el esparcimiento y el derecho a un medio ambiente sano.

Además de ser el estadio local de los equipos masculino y femenino de Chivas, el Estadio Akron albergará cuatro de los partidos de la Copa Mundial de 2026.

Con gratitud y reconocimiento a Mayama, organización anfitriona de la Iniciativa para jóvenes periodistas / Youth Media Forward en Guadalajara. Y a los estudiantes de comunicación del Tecnológico de Monterrey, quienes apoyaron a los jóvenes en la creación de estos videos bajo la coordinación de la profesora Inés Espinosa.

Alejandro: Derecho a la recreación y al tiempo libre

Alondra: Derecho a la no discriminación contra personas con discapacidad

Camila: Igualdad de genero

Cristopher: Derecho a un medio ambiente sano

Eric: Derecho al esparcimiento

Gerado: Derecho al esparcimiento

Iliana: Inclusión de genero

Renata: Derecho a la igualdad sustantiva

Photo essays: A visit to Akron Stadium in Guadalajara

Which human rights does a visit to a football stadium bring to mind?

Eight participants in Youth Media Forward visited Akron Stadium in Guadalajara.

In the short photo essays above they share how the experience elevated the human rights dimensions of sports, from non-discrimination, to leisure, to the right to a healthy environment.

With appreciation and thanks to Mayama, Youth Media Forward’s host organization in Guadalajara. And to communications students at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, who supported the youth in creating these videos under the leadership of Professor Inés Espinosa.

Words: Camilo, Los Angeles

My Oaxacan basketball league serves as a bridge between cultures, uniting communities even across borders. To Oaxaquenos, basketball represents more than competition, it embodies solidarity and cultural pride. Each team is named after a pueblo in Oaxaca, Mexico, with players whose roots originate from that town. During a time when immigration raids were happening nearby, our league was forced to stop for a while, and fear spread across our community. Families stayed home, and the courts that once brought us together were left empty. All we wanted to do was play basketball and be together, but even that felt uncertain.

Throughout my first season in the league, before this madness, I vividly remember convincing members of my community to join the team. I wanted to continue what our parents began back in Oaxaca, preserving that same sense of connection and tradition. From my team down to the younger divisions, our league grew, and my coach needed support. I assisted with practices and helped younger players pick up a basketball for the first time.

There were also kids like John, who came to the park every day but stayed on the outskirts of the court, rarely looking to talk to anyone. Before one practice, I noticed him sitting alone and invited him to shoot around with me. I encouraged him to stay for practice, and despite being hesitant, he agreed to try something new. During our scrimmages, we continually passed him the ball to raise his confidence with every shot. Before long, he kept coming back, finding a genuine joy in basketball. Now he’s preparing to join his high school team and comes to practice whenever he can, confident that our team will continue to have his back. Moments like this show how important collaboration and supporting one another is within our community. When the league started back up again, it felt even more meaningful, because we understood how much we needed that space and each other.

As a teammate to my paisanos, I saw how Oaxaquenos came together on the court: celebrating and empowering each other through heritage. Through these efforts, I watched the team begin to transform our community. Parents stayed at practices longer, sharing a hot champurrado as they watched their child’s improvement, overjoyed seeing them active. From a bystander’s view, it’s just a bunch of short brown kids playing basketball, but in the eyes of our community, we were creating a legacy. A legacy for all Oaxacan youth who can find a passion in basketball, keeping them busy, away from chaos, and life on the streets.

Even during difficult times, it was our cultural solidarity and the way we showed up for each other that kept the league alive. As of now, with immigration raids calming down, the league came back stronger than ever. I am so grateful to be back on the courts with my team as I have been doing for multiple years.

Camilo is a Los Angeles-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Los Angeles participants here

Words: Naomi M, Toronto

Education is such a valuable asset in all aspects of life, including in the world of sports. Often kids have a preconceived misconception that athletes do not need a solid education. But sports alone do not often make you enough money to be financially stable on its own unless you’re the best of the best. Because many people retire in sports from such young ages, it is important to be able to have an education to pursue a different pathway once you retire, so you still have a grounding purpose to contribute to society.

John Urschel is a phenomenal example of balancing his love of sports with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). His career started with a full scholarship to play football at Penn State University where he majored in math and later got his Bachelor in 2012 and his masters in 2013. While at Penn he even developed the Urschel-Zikatanov theorem.

After getting drafted by the US National Football League (NFL) on the Baltimore Ravens offensive line, he was temporarily out of school. While playing in the NFL from 2014 to 2016 after “feeling like something was missing” he enrolled as a doctoral student in Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During offseasons he would pursue his Ph.D. and even during the season he still managed to publish several research papers including his most recognized paper A Cascadic Multigrid Algorithm for Computing the Fiedler Vector of Graph Laplacians. He retired at age 26 to focus on his long-term career as a mathematics professor at MIT. He is such a role model for athletes, but his firm education even while being an athlete had such a huge impact on his future.

To sum up his experience Urschel says, “So often, people want to divide the world into two: matter and energy. Wave and particle. Athlete and mathematician. Why can’t something (or someone) be both?”

The fact is that sports is not usually a long-term career. Yes, a percentage may continue coaching after retirement, starting businesses to help other athletes or working alongside sponsors, but this is only a small percentage of professional athletes. Even so, a strong education sure comes in handy when starting a business, and especially when going into STEM.

Class of 2019 Harvard athlete Gabby Thomas became a 2024 Olympic champion. But balancing her education was crucial as she pursued her passion in healthcare. Gabby’s track career started in high school at The Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts. Gabby was admitted to Harvard University for her undergrad where she not only majored in neurobiology with a minor in global health, but also graduated in 2019 becoming the first female sprinter in an Ivy League to win a National Collegiate Athletic Association indoor national championship. She even got endorsed by New Balance in 2018.

After undergrad, Thomas moved to Texas and joined the Buford-Bailey Track Club to increase her skills to Olympic level while pursuing a master degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas. She says, “I didn’t really think about going to the track as a sacrifice, but as an opportunity. Nobody was making me study neurobiology, nobody was making me run, [...] but it was a choice I was making because I loved it.”

Education is crucial because you never know if an injury is going to prevent you from pursuing your dream sport. Even if you are the number 1 athlete in the world or a 2026 top-5 NBA Most Valuable Player, education is key.

Earlier this year, the Detroit Pistons’ top-tier guard and best player Cade Cunningham had a lung collapse from pneumothorax, following an intense basketball game. He missed 11 games but did recover and came back into the game. If he had no longer been able to play basketball at the young age of 24, a second career pathway would be vital to keep generating income and to have something fulfilling to do next.

Sacrificing sports for education is a very unwise gamble. As you read above, there are many ways to balance both. Education does not have to mean excelling in a particular academic field, but having a strong platform for your life ahead. Under 2% of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes go pro, so putting all your eggs in one basket can be dangerous to your future.

Take former professional boxer Mike Tyson. He made over $400 million, but had limited academic and financial education having dropped out of high school: he declared bankruptcy in 2003.

NFL statistics show roughly 78% of former NFL players experience financial stress due in part to no education on financial spending. By sacrificing your education, once your final match is finished, your future can be limited and job opportunities can be difficult to find.

It is very important for young athletes to understand the value of education, to ensure that they are financially literate and to have a solid plan in case of a severe injury.

Naomi is a Toronto-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Toronto participants here

In Boston, efforts to expand access to youth sports are being driven not just by policy, but by locals who grew up in the system themselves.

At the center of that work are José Massó, the city’s Chief of Human Services, and Tyrik Wilson, Youth Sports Initiative Manager and the leader of “Let’s Play Boston.”

“Let’s Play Boston” is a citywide initiative designed to make youth sports more accessible and equitable. Together, they are helping to shape how young people across Boston experience sports with a focus on expanding opportunity.

For both Massó and Wilson, the work is deeply personal. They grew up in Boston, where sports played a central part in their lives - not through formal systems, but through community and local programs.

Those early experiences continue to shape their perspective on expanding access, equity, and the potential benefits that youth sports can offer beyond a hobby.

Wilson’s path into this line of work was shaped early on by his family. Raised by parents involved in nonprofit work, he grew up with a strong sense of community responsibility. Sports became one of the ways he could carry that forward.

“Giving back and trying to support the community has always been ingrained in me,” Wilson said.

He played a variety of sports growing up, including football and volleyball. Over time, he moved into coaching and youth work, eventually finding a role where he could help create opportunities for others and develop people’s love for sports. Wilson stressed how great it is for him to have a job that combines his passion and professional work.

Massó’s journey followed a similar path. As a young athlete, he participated in swimming, basketball, and baseball before transitioning into coaching at an early age.

One of his most formative experiences came when he helped build a youth swim team at a local Boston pool. Out of 24 swimmers, he recalled, 18 had to learn how to swim or develop proper technique. By the end of the season, the team placed third in the city.

But for Massó, the most meaningful outcome wasn’t the ranking. “It was seeing their confidence grow,” he said.

That experience of watching young people build both skills and confidence continues to shape how he approaches youth sports today. For both leaders, sports were never just about the competition - they were about growth, connection, and opportunity.

Now, in their line of work, Massó and Wilson are working to expand access to those same experiences on a city-wide level. The effort focuses on reducing barriers such as cost, transportation, and lack of awareness, which they say are the core challenges many families in the city still face.

Both emphasize that the value of youth sports extends far beyond the game itself. For them, sports are a way to build confidence, develop life skills, and create a sense of belonging.

“Sports bring people together,” Massó said. “You’re learning more than just the game.”

Wilson seconded that idea, pointing to the broader impact sports can have on how young people see themselves and their future.

“Being able to give back and make things better than what we experienced - that’s the goal.”

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• See the accompanying article “Boston says Let’s Play”

• *Enkhsaruul is a rising sophomore at Harvard University, studying Government. While in high school in Los Angeles she was a student journalist with Generation 2026: Youth Media Forward.

• This conversation is published on the second day of Aspen Institute’s Project Play Summit 2026, featuring remarks by Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu on “How to Build a City of Champions”.
  

  Project Play Summit 2026

Words: Enkhsaruul Sandagsuren*

As Boston prepares to welcome national leaders in youth sports at the Aspen Institute’s Project Play Summit and take on its role as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the city is amidst deep efforts to reshape how young people access and experience sports.

In recent years, under Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston has begun to rethink youth sports as one system that, for many families, has historically been difficult to navigate or access. City officials say that the goal is not just to expand opportunities, but to make sure those opportunities actually reach the people who need them most.

“We definitely want to make sure Boston is a welcoming home for all families,” said José Massó, Chief of Human Services for the City of Boston. “From a parent’s perspective, the question was simple: if I want to sign my child up, where do I go?”.

That question became the central point for “Let’s Play Boston”, a citywide initiative designed to make youth sports easier to find, afford, and access. One of its first steps was building a centralized online directory, which now features more than 200 programs, along with a facilities map that features a variety of sports and where they exist across the city, as well as how families can use them.

Through outreach with local organizations, officials identified a consistent set of barriers, including but not limited to: high costs for equipment and registration, limited transportation, and uneven access to facilities. For many families, especially in lower-income and POC (people of color) communities, those obstacles made participation difficult even when programs were available.

In response, Boston has invested roughly $300,000 in grants to youth sports organizations, helping cover equipment, reduce fees, and expand access to spaces across the city. At the same time, the initiative has focused on strengthening the broader ecosystem, supporting coach training, building partnerships, and creating more opportunities for collaboration between schools, parks, and community groups.

“We’re not just trying to create programs. We’re trying to connect what already exists,” said Tyrik Wilson, Youth Sports Initiative Manager for the City of Boston and the manager of “Let’s Play Boston”.

That emphasis on coordination has become the very defining element of Boston’s approach. By bringing together departments like Boston Public Schools and Parks and Recreation, the city has worked to expand access in more intentional ways. In some cases, that collaboration has led to new opportunities such as citywide leagues and tournaments, while in others, it has simply made existing programs more visible and easier to navigate.

Still, officials say access alone isn’t enough without addressing deeper inequities in who participates. One of the clearest gaps has been in girls’ sports. According to Wilson, many girls leave sports earlier due to a lack of role models, limited programming, or competing responsibilities at home. To address that, the city launched its “She Coaches” campaign, aimed at increasing the number of women coaches and creating more supportive pathways for girls to stay involved.

“There’s a need to create balance,” Wilson said. “A lot of girls fall out of sports early, and we’re trying to change that.”

The city has also focused on bringing sports directly to young people through expanding programming within schools and community centers so that participation doesn’t depend on transportation or scheduling flexibility.

“Regardless of the community, there are always obstacles,” Wilson said. “Our job is to make it as easy as possible for young people to take part.”

Beyond increasing participation, Boston’s approach reflects a broader understanding of what youth sports can provide. City leaders describe the initiative as an investment not only in physical health, but in life skills, education, and community connection. Programs increasingly incorporate mentorship and personal development, expanding the role of sports beyond competition.

“Sports bring people together,” Massó said. “You’re learning teamwork, discipline, and even exposure to careers. You’re getting more than just the game.”

Boston’s role as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with matches set to take place nearby in Foxborough, has also added a layer of urgency and opportunity to the city’s youth sports efforts. While city leaders expect the event to bring economic activity and global attention, they say the bigger focus is on what lasts beyond it. Plans for large public fan events and increased tourism are already underway, but officials emphasized that the goal is to shift that momentum into long-term investment in local sports access.

“What can we keep for our communities, especially for our young people?” Massó said, pointing to the city’s broader effort to ensure that global events leave behind stronger opportunities for the next generation instead of just passing by.

The city’s long-term goal aligns with a national benchmark of reaching 63 percent youth sports participation by 2030. While officials acknowledge that gaps exist, particularly across race and gender, they point to early progress in expanded opportunities, stronger partnerships, and a more connected system overall.

For both Massó and Wilson, the work is also personal. Having grown up in Boston and experienced youth sports firsthand, they see the initiative as a way to give back to their city and create for the next generation.

As Boston continues to expand youth sports, the measure of success will go beyond participation numbers. It will reflect that, regardless of background, young people can see sports as something that belongs to them.

As Wilson puts it: “Kids will have more opportunities, more access, and more pride in being from Boston.”

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*Enkhsaruul is a rising sophomore at Harvard University, studying Government. While in high school in Los Angeles she was a student journalist with Generation 2026, Youth Media Forward.

Aspen Institute’s Project Play Summit 2026 will take place in Boston on May 5th and 6th. Check out the agenda and livestream:

Project Play 2026

I am a strong believer that sports play an important role in helping people build identity, confidence, and a sense of belonging, especially for those adjusting to life in a new country, just as it did for me.

To explore this idea further, I interviewed former Canadian Football League defensive back and my longtime coach Donovan Wright. He immigrated to Canada from Jamaica as a child and went on to build a career in professional football before dedicating many years to coaching young athletes.

In this interview, he reflects on how sport helped him adapt to a new environment, the lessons he learned from playing at the professional level, and how those experiences influence the way he now mentors young people from different backgrounds.

Having immigrated to Canada as a child, how did sport help you adjust to a new country and begin to feel a sense of belonging? How did those early experiences shape your identity?

Coming to Canada as a child everything felt unfamiliar at first. The language and the school even the way kids interact with each other. Sports became the one place where I didn’t have to explain myself as much. On the court or field it didn’t matter where I was from or what my Jamaican accent sounded like. If I could play, work hard and be a good teammate, I belonged. That gave me a sense of connection. Those early experiences helped me to shape my identity and the person that I am today.

What role did sport play in your upbringing and personal development? How did being involved in sport influence your confidence, discipline, and sense of who you are?

Sports were a constant in my upbringing. Practices, games, and training taught me early on that improvement comes from hard work and not just talent. That lesson carried over into school, work and life in general.

You went on to play sport professionally and later became a coach. How did your experiences in elite sport shape the values and responsibilities you now prioritize when working with young people from different backgrounds?

Play at the professional level completely changed how I understood sports. At that level, talent is a given. What really separates people is the mindset, preparation, and character. I learned how important accountability is. Everyone’s role matters and one person‘s attitude or effort can affect the whole group. That’s something I carry with me into my coaching every day. This has helped me shape my values around discipline, respect and preparation, but also empathy.

Through years of coaching, what inequalities in access to sport have you observed, and how do you work to foster inclusive and supportive environments that contribute to your community and to Canada?

Over the years, the biggest inequality I’ve seen in sports is access. Some people have private training, top facilities, and financial support, while others struggle just to cover the registration fees, equipment, or transportation. I try my best to be very intentional about creating an environment where every athlete feels welcome and valued.

With recent immigration controversies and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, what role do you believe sport can play in advancing inclusion and human rights? And what do you hope young athletes take away from your story?

I believe sports has a unique power to bring people together in ways that politics and public debates often can’t. Sports can also be a platform for inclusion and human rights because it creates visibility and shared experiences. Major events shine a spotlight on diversity, and representation and fairness.

From my own story, I hope young people take away that where you start doesn’t limit where you can go. I want them to see that sports can open doors, build confidence, and help them find their voice, but also help to lift others along the way.

Zeme is a Toronto-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Toronto participants here

Words: Fatima, New Jersey

The FIFA World Cup is a tournament that soccer fans eagerly anticipate for years; a memory that can be recalled fondly even by youth who are not active soccer participants. A time that brings people together not only in the United States but from all over the world, expanding its global reach with the recent hosting in Qatar. However, FIFA’s decision to award the US President with their new “FIFA Peace Prize” sparked controversy. This presents a particular question: Will youth demonstrate the same enthusiasm for the upcoming World Cup as they have in the past?

To examine this, I spoke with students and youth around my high school to gauge their reactions. What I found instantly was a noticeable disapproval toward both FIFA’s decision, and also the willingness of some renowned players to publicly engage in a positive manner with the administration - for example when Messi visited the White House with his Inter Miami team in March.

Many expressed that awarding a global soccer prize to a political figure, especially one with such controversial rhetoric, conflicts with the values they associate with sportsmanship, inclusivity, and unity. For these young fans, soccer has always been more than just a game; it is a space for international connection and fair play. The perception of sports bodies aligning themselves with political agendas has caused some youth to question whether the excitement surrounding the World Cup can remain untarnished.

Several students emphasized that sports should be a neutral space where politics do not overshadow the game itself. “Soccer brings people together,” said one student, “but when organizations like FIFA start giving awards to political figures, it makes the sport feel divided instead of uniting.”

Others pointed out that the involvement of players in political ceremonies or statements also shifts the focus away from their athletic achievements, leaving fans to wonder if personal or political alliances are influencing the integrity of the sport even more than in the past. While this concept has been present before, fans notice an uptick in it now. This sentiment was echoed broadly among the youth I spoke with, showing that younger generations expect their sports institutions to act responsibly and prioritize the values of fairness, inclusivity, and respect.

Despite these concerns, some youth expressed hope that the World Cup itself can remain an exciting and unifying event. They noted that while decisions made by FIFA or individual players may cast a shadow, the global culture of soccer, with its thrilling matches, national pride, and international fan communities, remains strong and can overcome the polarization with a powerful and well timed message of unity.

Yet, the overall message is clear: for many young fans, the controversy surrounding the peace award has sparked a more critical perspective on the organizations and athletes they once so admired. How FIFA and players respond to these concerns may very well influence whether youth enthusiasm for the sport continues to flourish in the coming years.

Fatima is a New Jersey based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the New York New Jersey participants here

Words: Joyce L, New York New Jersey

The FIFA World Cup is one of the most anticipated events worldwide, one of the rare moments when people around the world come together to celebrate and enjoy football. People gather in watch parties, establish national holidays to celebrate qualified nations, and families wear their host country’s merch. The World Cup especially brings communities together at the local level.

This year, the world is expecting the largest tournament yet, with 16 host cities across the North American region. With more venues and more participating teams come more opportunities for fans to enjoy. However, there are some who won’t be with their families and close communities, but will be tirelessly working behind the scenes to make the World Cup possible. What’s left unanswered is the compensation they will receive.

The chair of the NYNJ Host Committee, Tammy Murphy, has said that: “The World Cup is not just a global sporting event - it’s a powerful economic engine that will deliver lasting benefits to our region.”

In July 2025, the NYNJ Host Committee estimated that the World Cup will generate $3.3 billion in economic impact through tourism, hospitality, and other related sectors. Its Economic Impact summary projected that 26,000 jobs will be supported, $1.3 billion will be generated towards total labor income across the region, and $431.9 million in state and local tax revenues.

Recognizing that much of the economic impact is in the tourism and hospitality sectors, it is important to note that a large proportion of workers in those sectors are minorities. For example, 66 percent of NYC’s tourism workforce are minorities, and 44.7 percent are immigrants.

At a recent NYC council hearing on the World Cup, Jean Lauture, a representative of Unite Here Local 100 union, said that:

“The people we represent will staff the stadiums, our members will prepare the food, run the concessions, clean the facilities, they will be the first face a visitor sees and the last to leave when the night is over.”

To protect workers’ rights at an extremely profitable event, Lauture recommends specific actions for companies to prevent exploitation.

“Concerns boil down to this: if a contractor is doing World Cup-related work, there needs to be enforceable labor standards attached to that contract…Subcontracting chains need to be transparent so that there’s no question about who employs them and who’s responsible when something goes wrong.”

In addition, Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry referred to the need to support small businesses. Thomas-Henry chairs the council’s committee on small business. She is proposing marketing and branding strategies that will generate revenue for the local businesses of Queens, whether at the airports or at the venue.

Video of the NYC council oversight hearing on World Cup preparations.

Furthermore, NYC’s diverse, immigrant community conflicts with FIFA’s cancellation last year of anti-racism messaging during the Club World Cup, which, following pressure from advocates, they now say will be reinstated at this Summer’s World Cup. And while FIFA has requirements for its direct suppliers to uphold labor standards, the employment generated by the World Cup extends much further.

Without waiting for further action by FIFA, council members, unions, and local organizations are working to ensure that the service workers who make the World Cup happen are recognized and respected.

As Unite Here representative Jean Lauture puts it:

“New York has an opportunity here. Do not just host a successful tournament, but demonstrate a city can do this right. That you can run a mega-event without running over the people who make it happen and who make it work.”

Joyce is a New York City based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the New York New Jersey participants here

Words: Mya P, Toronto

The WNBA’s Board of Governors unanimously approved terms for the 2026 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on March 24 — one day after the league’s players did the same.

Running through 2032, the seven-year agreement presents a landmark labour deal for the WNBA and its players. The new CBA features a major increase in salaries and the first revenue-sharing model in women’s professional sport history.

Starting this season, team salary caps will be set at $7 million, a huge jump from the old salary cap of $1.5 million. The minimum base salary is now $270,000 US, up from $66,079 US in 2025, while the maximum salary went from $249,444 US to $1.4 million.

This maximum value represents the highest tier under the new agreement; known as a supermax deal, it is designed for elite, veteran players.

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson is among those expected to sign a supermax deal for the 2026 season. Last year, the league’s only four-time MVP earned a base salary of $200,000 US.

Not only will the new CBA give players roughly 20 per cent of league and team revenue, it will oversee the first million-dollar contracts in the WNBA. Still, it’s only the most recent effort towards closing the pay gap between women’s and men’s sports.

Even with the WNBA’s updated salary cap, it’s nowhere near the NBA’s $154.647 million ceiling.

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, drafted first overall in 2025, was projected to earn $78,831 US in her rookie season. But Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg — who was the top pick in the NBA draft that same year — is slated to earn $13.8 million by the end of his first season.

“We’ve always believed that as this game grows, the players that power it must grow with it,” Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Seattle Storm forward and president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), said in a written statement on March 18.

With the popularity of women’s basketball — and many other women’s sports — on the rise, the WNBA’s new terms come at an opportune time.

Many athletes in professional women’s leagues are forced to continue playing during the offseason, often in leagues overseas. This lack of rest increases the chances of burnout or injury.

In 2023, WNBPA (players association) vice-presidents, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, founded the Unrivaled Basketball League to combat some of these issues.

2025 was the league’s inaugural season. While it required players to compete during the offseason, it helped many to stay in North America until the WNBA started up again. With the new salary terms outlined in the CBA, players may soon be able to get the rest they deserve between seasons.

This is especially important as the league welcomes two expansion teams ahead of the 2026 season, the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. If players are treated fairly from the moment they are drafted, they will likely be set up for safe and successful careers.

As the WNBA gears up for its 30th season on May 8, its CBA could help usher in a new era of women’s basketball, benefitting current and future athletes while setting a precedent for change across all women’s sports.

Mya P is a Toronto-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Toronto participants here

Words: Katelin H, Los Angeles

Being a native of Los Angeles, I am very excited for the FIFA World Cup. Equally exciting, however, has been Heung Min Son’s signing with LAFC. As someone who is half-Korean and plays soccer, I have followed Son since his days at Tottenham. My grandparents and my mom are devoted fans as well, and we will all be cheering when he plays for the South Korean national team.

No doubt, Son’s appeal crosses generations and cultures. He represents and epitomizes how much soccer has changed and how the sport has helped transform perceptions of different cultures. Son is internationally recognized for being a great soccer player, but beyond that, he has broken barriers and stereotypes and become a symbol of pride for the Asian community. He has shown that Asian male athletes can compete with the best in the world.

For decades, Asian men have been stereotyped in Western culture. They were often portrayed as nerds who were weak, socially goofy, and lacking the masculine qualities required of athletes. The Asian boy with glasses was the kid to cheat off of in math but very rarely the athlete who could win or lead the team to the championship.

Before Son, one of the first professional soccer players who challenged these negative stereotypes was Ji Sung Park. Despite his great achievements in playing for Manchester United, Park faced much racism from fans, players, and coaches as one of the few Asian players in the European league. In 2021, Park had to ask fans to stop singing a song that mentioned Koreans eating dog meat. This chant was tolerated as “banter” and accepted even by Park earlier because he wanted to fit in, but such racist speech should have been stopped a long time ago. Players like Hidetoshi Nakata and Keisuke Honda similarly had to overcome doubts and prove that Asian players could be competitive in professional soccer.

Playing in the Premier League, Heung Min Son has proven himself to be able to compete with the best. He is the only Asian player to win the “Golden Boot” award. He and Harry Kane hold the record for the most goals combination by a duo. Son is known for his speed, power finish and ability to play with both feet. As Captain, he led the Spurs to win the Europa League. His abilities clearly contradict the stereotype that Asian athletes cannot dominate.

Beyond soccer, Son is a symbol of pride and possibility. He serves as a visible role model for younger generations who may not have previously seen Asian representation at the highest levels of soccer. Son’s presence in the media, whether he is being interviewed or endorsing a product, helps promote the image of Asian men as mainstream, elite athletes. Son’s reputation for being humble, hardworking and selfless also helps to increase respect for Asian culture.

Despite the success of athletes like Son, Asian players still remain underrepresented. Organizational and cultural biases still exist against minority players. Son, in fact, has been the target of racial slurs, discriminatory gestures, and online abuse. In February of this year, Vinícius Júnior, a black Brazilian player, was called a monkey by an opposing player while fans made monkey gestures.

FIFA in recent years has adopted antiracism policies, such as the imposition of fines and allowing referees to stop games due to racist behavior. While such steps are important, consistent reporting and enforcement are needed to ensure these rules are being followed. And we, as fans, have a responsibility to recognize how far things have come, but now much work still remains.

Katelin is a Los Angeles-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Los Angeles participants here

Generation 2026 Youth Leadership Council members from Los Angeles joined up with Civicate Youth to organize a “red card moments” activation at the StudentsBuild National Summit 2026 in March. Their booth became a real listening space. Students were invited to finish the sentence:

“I give a red card to ____ in youth sports.”

Over the course of the morning their presentation board collected 80+ red card notes on things they would like to see eliminated from youth sports. The issues that youth lifted up included bullying, toxic coaching, pay-to-play barriers, unsafe fields, racism and discrimination, verbal abuse, hazing, and violence.

Each card is a reminder that sport should be safe and rooted in upholding athlete rights.

Youth leadership council member Angel says:

“I appreciated hearing various opinions from teenagers who live all over Los Angeles. This made me realize how diverse and large Los Angeles is, and also that everyone has a different vision for safe sports. We must all work together to foster a community where every single youth in sports feels safe and respected.”

And youth leadership council member Henry says:

“Hearing from the youth revealed a larger impact sports have than I had previously thought. Youth don’t necessarily have to participate in sports to feel a want for change. When they recognize that someone close to them isn’t being given a fair chance they can still be vocal about it.”

The Generation 2026 Youth Leadership Council brings together 32 youth representing FIFA World Cup host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. to make an impact in their communities and elevate youth perspectives around sports. The initiative is led by the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, in partnership with UNICEF USA and UNICEF Mexico.

Words: Declan B, New York New Jersey

It was Oct 8, 2005, and the Ivory Coast team fixed their attention on the ongoing Cameroon, Egypt match with bated breath. After their win against Sudan, a draw or loss for Cameroon would leave Ivory Coast as the winner of CAF Group Three and send the squad to the 2006 World Cup.

While they waited for the news of their lifetimes, their homeland, the Ivory Coast, was embroiled in a bloody civil war. The rebels known as the New Forces had failed in an attempt to overthrow President Laurent Gbagbo, and the ensuing conflict had split the predominantly Muslim north held by the rebels from the predominantly Christian south.

The squad affectionately known as The Elephants was a source of pride with World Cup hopes that lifted the spirits of a broken nation.

The team huddled around a radio to listen to updates from the pitch. Cameroon had taken an early lead, only to be tied later in the game by Egypt. At the last moment in injury time, the worst came true for the Ivory Coast; Cameroon was lined up for a penalty kick. The team’s left back, Pierre Womé, failed to make the penalty shot and advance his team. To the dismay of millions of Cameroonians, the ball struck the left post and Cameroon failed to take back the lead.

The Elephants erupted into cheers, knowing that they would be the first Ivory Coast team to represent their country at the World Cup. This win would not be the end of Ivory Coast’s monumental night. Didier Drogba, the Chelsea Forward and the team’s star player, had made a habit of post-game prayer, but this one would be different.

Drogba stood in front of a camera broadcasting to the nation with a microphone, ready to give a speech with huge ramifications for his country.

“Men and women of Ivory Coast,” Drogba said to all those watching. “From the north, south, centre, and west, we proved today that all Ivorians can coexist and play together with a shared aim: to qualify for the World Cup. We promised you that the celebrations would unite the people. Today we beg you on our knees…” Together, the team all knelt down. “The one country in Africa with so many riches must not descend into war. Please lay down your weapons and hold elections. We want to have fun, so stop firing your guns.”

While it is not known how many saw the speech live, it can be assumed that a large part of the population saw Drogba’s plea for peace, and many more saw reruns on other stations.

The effects were not felt immediately. The residents of the Ivory Coast still lived in a country ravaged by war, with an estimated 750,000 displaced throughout the conflict. However, it brought both sides closer to the negotiation table, and Drogba wasn’t finished.

He announced the 2007 season opener would be held in the formerly rebel-occupied city of Bouaké just three months after the end of the fighting. The spectacular match resulted in a 5-0 finish against Madagascar and game-ending goal from Ivory Coast’s very own Drogba. The pitch was swarmed by fans from all sides of the country, united by a special squad.

The team had symbolically reunited the nation and highlighted the importance of sports in the peace process.

In 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal.”

“Sport teaches lessons,” General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock stated. “And imagine what the world would look like if it was more like a soccer field, where it does not matter the colour of your skin, what your parents earn, who you love, or which God you believe in.”

This sentiment has been reflected since the first Olympics held between the Greek Polis in 776 BC featured a truce to protect the athletes and the spirit of the game. Even now, participants in the modern Olympics still agree to a truce and promise to protect the athletes who represent their home countries.

The increase in armed conflict in the past few years has affected millions of sports and football fans worldwide. The 2026 World Cup will feature multiple teams whose home countries are currently experiencing conflict, including Iran and the United States (which is also a host country), and some facing internal conflicts.

The prospect of friendly competition may ease real tensions and, as Baerbock said, teach participating nations a lesson: our opponents are not our enemies but partners in a shared endeavor.

Declan is a New York City based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the New York New Jersey participants here

Interviews: Matthew O, New York New Jersey

Youth Media Forward reporter Matthew attended the 2026 New Jersey Youth Soccer Summit, where he heard from three soccer leaders about the opportunities that the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents for soccer throughout the state.

Yael Averbuch West is the General Manager of Gotham FC. She shares that while 2026 is the men’s World Cup it is a wonderful opportunity for women’s soccer as well, because “it’s a moment when everyone’s paying attention to the game.”

Luis Robles, Technical Director of MLS Next and former goalkeeper with New York Red Bulls and Inter Miami, describes how the 1994 World Cup - the last time that the United States hosted - was the stepping stone that led to his soccer career. The upcoming World Cup will inspire thousands more young people, he says.

Dave Jervis, Head of Youth Programs at Red Bulls New York talks about the excitement around the Brazil national team choosing the Red Bulls’ training facility in Morris Township as their World Cup home base.

Watch the full video above.

Held at Sports Illustrated Stadium, the New Jersey Youth Soccer Summit was hosted by Red Bull New York and New Jersey Youth Soccer, presented by RWJBarnabas Health.

Related: An interview with Yael Averbuch West by New Jersey-based Youth Media Forward reporters Declan and Fatima

Matthew is a New Jersey based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the New York New Jersey participants here

Joyce K, Los Angeles

It’s not uncommon to hear coaches telling young athletes to “toughen up” and “push through”. After all, it’s the coach’s role to train athletes both physically and mentally, pushing them to become stronger and better at their sport. But when does this just become an excuse for abuse of these athletes?

Good sporting environments should ensure safety and cultivate respect, which ultimately help the athletes thrive. Not only does this build confidence in their abilities, it creates a love for the sport, and a willingness to continue playing. But emotional and physical distress caused by adults can ruin athletes’ passions entirely.

A 2022 survey published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that almost 19% percent of athletes surveyed from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) reported to have experienced some form of abusive supervision. Results also revealed that coaches who showed attention to the needs of their athletes and respect for their opinions had lower odds of being reported for abusive supervision.

Clearly, coaches who are caught up in winning and prioritize avoiding losses over their athletes’ wellbeing seem to be more likely to be reported. And yet, it is not easy to stand up against or even recognize this abusive behavior. Why is that?

Because yelling at athletes, humiliating them in front of their peers, or working them until overexhaustion is often framed as coaches doing their job. It can be hard to recognize that the adults who train you, help you, and coach you are the very people who are causing you mental distress, when that is the case. However, this is not a form of care, but rather a form of gaslighting.

While in the short term, these aggressive methods may seem effective at fixing athletes’ behavior and avoiding mistakes, it is also important to consider the long term effects. Long term, emotional abuse can ruin athletes’ confidence and cause burnout and other negative effects on mental health. It can completely rid the athlete of their passion and genuine enjoyment of the sport, preventing them from playing long-term.

This is not to say that coaches should not do their job. Coaches can effectively train athletes without causing emotional trauma. By creating genuine relationships built on trust and respect between the coaches and athletes and promoting open communication, coaches can ensure that athletes are safe, both physically and mentally. Regulating physical training for the goal of improving skills rather than punishment, and sharing critiques while not yelling and causing humiliation are all viable ways to maintain a sporting environment athletes will want to continue coming back to.

By advocating for individuals who have experienced abuse while playing sports, and raising awareness of the signs of coach abuse, the sporting community can come together to prevent further continuation of abusive behavior. Athletes should be reminded that such behavior is reportable, and should be encouraged to do so or talk to a trusted adult if they ever feel uncomfortable because of a coach’s actions.

It is essential to recognize that the meaning of sports is not rooted in simply winning. Sports should promote physical and mental health, and help to build character and a sense of belonging to a community. Sports that are free from abuse build lasting relationships, boost self-esteem, and foster teamwork and discipline. There is so much more to the athletic world than a shining trophy.

Joyce is a Los Angeles-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Los Angeles participants here

*******

For more information and guidance, see:

• Resources from the US Center for Safe Sport

These resources are for anyone who is “working to change sport culture and create environments free from abuse”. They cover five areas: i. recognizing, ii. preventing, and iii. responding to abuse and misconduct, iv. supporting survivors, and v. using effective policies.

And resources specific to coaching:

• “Is it appropriate coaching, or abuse?”, US Center for Safe Sport

• “Compassionate Coach”, an educational training course developed by The Athlete Survivors’ Assist

• “Coaching Boys into Men”, an evidence-based violence prevention program provided by Futures Without Violence

Words: Nicole P, Toronto

As Canada prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026, the focus goes far beyond stadium capacity and goals. Teams from across the African continent are set to compete in the tournament. The first round teams playing in my home city of Toronto include Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal.

Canada has an anti-racism strategy for 2024-2028 called “Changing Systems, Transforming Lives”. By viewing the tournament through the lens of this strategy, the federal government and host cities like Toronto and Vancouver can ensure that the tournament is marked by celebration and love of soccer, rather than the racial hostility that has scarred international soccer in recent years.

The lesson of Vinícius Júnior

There is a push for anti-racism measures in sports given the common racial abuse of athletes on the international stage.

Brazilian soccer player Vinícius Júnior is a prominent example. Subjected to monkey chants and racist slurs in Europe, his experience shows how systemic failures can leave Black athletes in a state of psychological fear.

The attacks on his skin colour not only negatively affect his own mental health but send out a message to any young athlete who may look like him. A message that screams you are not welcome into the world of sport because of your skin.

Vinícius’s struggle has also highlighted the fact that professional leagues’ processes to combat racism can still leave the situation “all down to the victim” in the moment of the game. Players are left vulnerable and isolated on the field.

Action at the federal level

In the Changing Systems: Transforming Lives anti-racism strategy, the Canadian government acknowledges that anti-Black racism is rooted in a 400-year history of enslavement and colonialism. It recognizes that anti-Black racism is not just a series of one-off incidents but is deeply rooted in institutions, often invisible to the public.

World Cup organizers can refer to this strategy to gain important insights on measures to strengthen protection for athletes and visitors. For example:

• International engagement: Canada is using international engagement and social media outreach to spread the word about its racial equity goals, while also working with multilateral partners to fight anti-Black racism.

• Sport integrity: Canadian Heritage is working on expanding sport program accessibility to create healthy, safe, and welcoming sport experiences and environments, which could be a great influence for World Cup organizers.

• Accountability programs: The strategy includes the development of an annual anti-racism report card to track the performance of federal departments in meeting equity goals.

Local impact and legacy in Toronto

As a World Cup host, the City of Toronto has developed five legacy themes, each with an advisory body that is making recommendations.

The themes include “Human Rights, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism” and “Sport, Physical Activity, Health & Wellness”, with the latter placing a strong focus on reducing barriers to participation for children and youth, Indigenous and Black communities, women, and other equity-deserving groups.

The youth dimension

The stakes of anti-racism safeguards are high for Canada’s younger population. Racialized populations in Canada are overwhelmingly younger than non-racialized populations. And research published in 2025 found that over 40% of black students in Canada’s schools have experienced a racist incident.

The experience of racism is not just a social issue; it also impacts health. The Government has highlighted a link between limited access to safe environments and exposure to discrimination, with lower life satisfaction and poor mental health. To counter this, the federal strategy is guided by a “Trauma and Violence-Informed” approach that prioritizes safety, empathy, and compassion.

The role of global watchdogs

International watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Sport and Rights Alliance have emphasized that words and policies must be matched by concrete action in the context of the World Cup. They have called for FIFA to have strong anti-discrimination messaging and to provide enforceable protections against racial profiling.

FIFA itself has an anti-discrimination monitoring program and has said it plans to project anti-racism messaging at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Each host city is required to develop a “human rights action plan” with measures to tackle discrimination and trafficking as well as other issues.

The importance of a safe space

The ultimate goal of all these safeguards is to ensure that a young fan from Toronto or a visiting player from an African nation can participate without fearing for their dignity.

If host cities focus on centering the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us”, which values input from those involved, the government can ensure that those most affected by racism are the ones guiding the protective measures.

Nicole is a Toronto-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Toronto participants here

Yasmine O, New York City

Since entering college in New York City as a high school athlete and befriending college athletes, one thing has struck my mind. The differences between being a college athlete and a high school one are huge. Getting into college is a huge accomplishment, and many see their sport as a creative outlet. It would only make sense for them to continue their journey at a college level. But what is often under-discussed is the gender bias, funding issues, and location of the college that factor into college athletes’ experience.

I spoke with Brianna, a tennis player at a college in New York City. I asked Brianna what she would consider the biggest difference from being a high school athlete to a college athlete who has to balance work, school, and sport commitments.

“I would say the biggest difference is how replaceable we athletes can be,” Brianna says. “In high school our teams are built on support and protection. Our consequences are lighter and more forgiving. Coaches guide us instead of expecting independence. Our roles are adjusted to fit us. Meanwhile in college it is built around performance and accountability. We athletes compete with our teammates and not just our opponents. Our roles are earned and not adjusted to fit us. There is no safety net, we are treated like adults and are evaluated daily. We stop being protected and start being trusted.”

She explains to me that college sports start to feel like some sort of an obligation to do well, as you are due to the school. She goes on to tell me that the location of the school can make it harder for training, having to commute from school to the training facility, which due to one subway delay can turn from a 30 minute commute to a 2 hour one.

To get some more insight on her day-to-day life balancing her commitments, I then asked Brianna what a typical day during the season looks like for her. “I would say it looks like very hard work with practise to get better and better. Improving our skills and mindsets as individuals, and as a team to strive to achieve our very best,” she says, allowing us to understand that it’s not just about what they do, but how they do it that changes the course of their four years.

I followed up by asking her what support she wishes was extended to college athletes at the competitive level. “I would say more mental health resources. There should be more support beyond just performance in general. It gets difficult trying to balance injuries, academics, and it all weighing on our scholarships. This heightens the pressure to perform well. This can all take a toll on athletes, and the topic of mental health is not always openly talked about, but rather taboo. I would hope for some more comfortable, shame-free conversations around asking for help on our mental health,” Brianna explained.

Now understanding the student perspective of being a college athlete, I wanted to get the perspective of a coach, hearing from the side that normally gets told they are too tough or demanding. I asked a coach what they think about the idea of being too tough on students who play at the competitive level, considering they have a lot on their plate.

“Being tough is exactly what they need. I know that it seems rough, or too demanding, but that is what they need to succeed in a field like this where other schools have more funding, more space to work,” said the coach, who chose to be interviewed off the record. “Because we are a school in the city, it’s harder for our students to compete with other athletes who come from Upstate or other states. I push them hard so they will know how it feels to be at the top. However, I always let them know that I’m here for each and every one of them.”

After interviewing Brianna and the coach, it gave me a deeper insight as to what needs to be done. More support, more respect, and more advocating needs to be done for our college athletes. And this needs to start now.

Yasmine is a New York City based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the New York New Jersey participants here

Words: Micah A, Toronto

As excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup, football is celebrated worldwide as a force that can unite nations and transform lives. The tournament will showcase talent from every continent, including Africa, which consistently produces some of the world’s most gifted players. Yet behind this global spectacle lies a hidden reality. For many young African boys, football does not begin with opportunity. It begins with exploitation.

In countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast, football is widely viewed as one of the few realistic paths out of poverty. Unscrupulous agents and unregulated academies exploit this belief, promising trials, contracts, or scholarships abroad. Families often pay fees equal to months of income for these opportunities. Too often, they are scams. Many young players arrive in foreign countries only to discover there is no trial, no team, and no support system waiting for them.

An estimated 15,000 young players are trafficked each year, the majority of whom come from West Africa. Without documentation, housing, or financial resources, some are abandoned in unfamiliar cities. Reports have documented cases of minors being homeless, forced into labor, or experiencing long-term psychological trauma. These outcomes violate fundamental child rights, including access to education, safety, and protection from exploitation.

This issue reflects broader structural inequality within global sport. European football institutions largely control recruitment systems, wages, and development pathways, while African players and families have limited power in these decisions. Talent flows outward, but investment rarely flows back. This imbalance reinforces historical global inequalities and the perception that success is only possible through migration.

Organizations such as Foot Solidaire are working to confront this crisis. Founded by former Cameroonian footballer Jean-Claude Mbvoumin, the group provides legal assistance, helps trafficked players return home safely, and educates families about the risks of unlicensed agents. Work by Foot Solidaire and others such as Mission 89 has helped many victims, but the scale of exploitation requires stronger laws, stricter enforcement, and greater accountability from international football authorities.

Economic hardship, weak regulation, and global demand for talent all contribute to the problem. When systems fail to protect vulnerable youth, traffickers face few consequences while children face life-altering risks. Addressing this injustice requires coordinated global action. Governing bodies must regulate agents, governments must monitor academies, and communities must be informed about safe recruitment pathways. While FIFA, the international body that governs football, has strict rules on recruiting players across borders and registering agents, most aspiring players do not know about the rules and the deception persists.

Football should be a gateway to opportunity, not exploitation. Protecting young athletes means reshaping the sport into a system that values human dignity over profit. Talent should open doors, not place children in danger. Until the global football industry better confronts this reality, the dreams of countless young players will continue to be sold, and too often, abandoned.

Micah is a Toronto-based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the Toronto participants here