#United States #mental health #FIFA World Cup #Grassroot Soccer #Seattle, Miami, Colorado

Grassroot Soccer Launches Youth Mental Health Programs in the US

As the excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Grassroot Soccer (GRS), a global nonprofit organization, is marking the occasion by launching innovative mental health programs across the United States. With a presence in over 60 countries and an outreach to more than 25 million young individuals, GRS aims to utilize the universal language of soccer to promote mental wellness among the youth.

These programs are not only timely, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month, but they also address the growing mental health challenges faced by young people today. GRS will kick off its initiatives in key cities—Seattle, Miami, and Colorado—by collaborating with local youth organizations, soccer foundations, and community groups. Through engaging soccer-themed activities, the organization plans to distribute vital mental health information and life skills to adolescents.

Founded in 2002 by Dr. Tommy Clark and a group of visionary co-founders including Ethan Zohn, Grassroot Soccer initially focused on health challenges such as HIV prevention in Africa. Over the past two decades, the organization has evolved to include mental health programming, recognizing the pressing needs of young people worldwide. The upcoming World Cup serves as a pivotal moment for GRS, allowing them to bring their expertise and proven programs into American communities, where youth mental health issues have surged, especially since the pandemic.

Dr. Clark emphasizes the significance of this opportunity: "The 2026 World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show what soccer can do beyond the beautiful game. For over 20 years, we've seen how sport and mentorship can pave the way for young individuals to acquire fundamental health knowledge and develop the necessary skills to succeed in life. Our U.S. partners have expressed a strong interest in adopting our methods, given their success in Africa, and the World Cup provides the perfect backdrop for this expansion."

The programming will revolve around GRS's signature MindSKILLZ curriculum, which employs soccer metaphors and positive coaching practices to teach vital mental health skills. Participants will learn about stress management, emotional regulation, resilience, and seeking help when needed. Previous implementations of this curriculum have delivered remarkable results, including a near 50% reduction in depression rates among Kenyan participants. Each hosting city will benefit from trained local coaches who will ensure that the initiatives create lasting impacts beyond the World Cup.

In Seattle/Tacoma, GRS has partnered with the Names Family Foundation to launch programs in Pierce County, collaborating with organizations like the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and local YMCAs. Meanwhile, in Miami, funding from the Soccer Forward Foundation and Telemundo supports initiatives involving local partners such as love.fútbol and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Colorado has seen GRS team up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and the Colorado Soccer Foundation to introduce the Grassroot Soccer MindSKILLZ Cup, an event aimed at further enriching youth's mental health education.

Ethan Zohn, co-founder of GRS and noted Survivor Africa champion, reflects on the profound impact soccer has had on his own life and the potential it holds for others. He stated, "Soccer gave me a platform to help build Grassroot Soccer, and now we have a chance to bring what we've learned from our work in Africa to young people in the United States. The World Cup is going to unite the country around this sport. We want to be on the field during this moment, conveying the message that mental health matters and providing youth with the tools to navigate life's challenges."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to occur from June 11 to July 19, spanning across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Throughout the tournament, Grassroot Soccer will host community events and on-the-ground programming, including the Grassroot Soccer MindSKILLZ Cup in Aurora, Colorado (May 26-29), a clinic in Miami (May 22), and events with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians in Tacoma (June 19 – July 6).

About Grassroot Soccer

Grassroot Soccer is an international adolescent health organization harnessing the power of soccer to equip youth with the necessary knowledge, skills, and support to lead healthier lives. Established in response to the HIV crisis in Zimbabwe, GRS employs evidence-based programs that engage young people, dismantle obstacles, and empower them to make informed health choices. To learn more, visit GrassrootSoccer.org.