The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee and Harris County – Houston Sports Authority will formally announce a transformative legacy initiative under Impact Houston 26 designed to expand access to organized youth soccer across Greater Houston.
Announcement will be made on Friday, February 27 at 10 a.m.at Moody Park in Houston.
In collaboration with the City of Houston and Harris County Precincts 1-4, FREEKICKS Soccer will build and maintain pitches in underserved communities and bring organized club soccer directly into those neighborhoods. This endeavor is fueled by support from Impact Houston 26 sponsors and advisory from Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash.
Leading local youth soccer clubs will collectively invest in this initiative and provide 1,000+ scholarships to underserved youth, helping break down pay-to-play barriers.
The event will highlight investments at Moody Park and other park sites across Harris County, underscoring the region’s commitment to equity, access and a lasting FIFA World Cup legacy beyond the tournament.
Among those expected to be present:
- Chris Canetti, President, FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee
- Ryan Walsh, Chief Executive Officer, Harris County – Houston Sports Authority
- Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County Precinct 1
- Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Harris County Precinct 2
- Commissioner Tom Ramsey, Harris County Precinct 3
- Commissioner Lesley Briones, Harris County Precinct 4
SPECIAL GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Mayor John Whitmire, City of Houston
- Trae that Truth
- FC Bayern Munich Representative
- Pat Onstad, President of Soccer for Houston Dynamo FC and Jessica O’Neill, President of Business Operations for Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash
- Youth Soccer Players
About the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee, operating under the Sports Authority Foundation, collaborates with FIFA, the City of Houston, Harris County and community stakeholders to ensure a world-class experience for players, fans and visitors surrounding FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Alongside stakeholders, the Host Committee oversees operations, safety, transportation and logistics for the seven FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches to take place at Houston Stadium and the open-to-the-public FIFA Fan Festival™ to be held in East Downtown Houston during the length of the tournament.
A core tenet of the Host Committee is a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in Houston beyond the tournament via initiatives that advance human rights, sustainability and the growth of soccer. Learn more at FWC26 Houston.
About the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority and Sports Authority Foundation
The Harris County–Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA), founded in 1997, is responsible for servicing the debt of the world-class sports facilities it was created to build and ensuring their long-term sustainability.
In support of this core mission, HCHSA leads the charge in attracting major sporting events to Houston and promoting our region as a home for all sports-related activities.
This ultimately results in enhancing our economic development, improving the quality of life for our residents and reinforcing Houston and Harris County as a premier destination for marquee sporting events. Its 501(c)(3) arm, the Sports Authority Foundation, manages the community engagement and legacy programs tied to major events, including FIFA World Cup 26™ in Houston, through Impact Houston 26.
Learn more at Harris County–Houston Sports Authority and Sports Authority Foundation.
About Impact Houston 26
Impact Houston 26 is a bold legacy program launched by the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee in collaboration with the Sports Authority Foundation, designed to ensure that Houston’s role as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ creates meaningful, long-lasting benefits for the region.
Operating under the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority’s Sports Authority Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to community-focused and charitable sports initiatives, Impact Houston 26 will guide and manage legacy programs that extend well beyond the tournament.
Guided by three core pillars; Growing the Game, Defending Human Rights and Protecting the Environment, the initiative aims to elevate the quality of life across the Greater Houston area and serve as a model for future World Cup host cities. Legacy efforts include (but are not limited to) field development, youth soccer programming, soccer clinics and tournaments, coach and referee development, sustainability efforts, human rights programs and community arts initiatives.
Funding is supported by Impact Houston 26 Partners, who are committed to building a meaningful legacy impact anchored in sport, community and opportunity. Current Partners include: Airbnb, Aramco, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, CenterPoint, Cheniere, Chevron, Citgo, City of Sugar Land, Houston Methodist, Lone Star Sports and Entertainment, NRG, Oxy, Quanta, Shell and Sysco.
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