Coach Ryan Gitonga hyping up SWB participants in Baltimore. On an SWB soccer pitch, learning happens in all kinds of ways. Participants communicate across language differences, work through challenges with teammates, and find the confidence to speak up for themselves. And right there beside them is a coach, getting to know them, listening, and helping those lessons carry beyond the field. Ryan Gitonga knows that role well. As the Program Manager with SWB Maryland, he has spen

World Cup photos courtesy of Burt Granofsky. My son works for a sports book. He loves sports. Despite having a mom who played collegiate soccer and a sister who played at high levels, as a youth ice hockey player, he’s always insisted that “soccer is boring and slow.” Last night, at dinner, he admitted that he has watched every World Cup game. Every four years, the World Cup reminds us why soccer is called the world's game. And over six weeks this summer, Americans were remin

Join Team SWB at the 2027 ASICS Los Angeles Marathon! We're excited to announce that Soccer Without Borders has been selected as an official charity partner for the 2027 ASICS Los Angeles Marathon on March 7, 2027, and we're looking for 10 passionate runners to join our inaugural team. Whether you're chasing a new PR or taking on your first marathon, every mile you run and every dollar you raise will help provide free, year-round soccer, education, and community-building prog

SWB alumnus Warshan Hussin recently joined the The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered podcast to share his journey from arriving in the United States as a newcomer to becoming a coach, mentor, and member of the SWB Board of Directors. In the conversation, Warshan reflects on the challenges of starting over in a new country and how SWB became a place where he could connect, find community, and simply be a kid again. He also shares why he's committed to creating those same opportunitie

A Field Called Home is a documentary created for Soccer Without Borders’ 20th Anniversary by award-winning production team Avocados and Coconuts. The film follows four alumni coaches whose journeys began with displacement, uncertainty, and the challenge of rebuilding life in a new country. Through soccer, they found community, confidence, mentorship, and belonging. Today, they give back to the next generation of newcomer youth as coaches at Soccer Without Borders, supporting

SWB coach-mentor (right) shares words of encouragement with a participant from SWB Bay Area. By Dr. Swap Mushiana, SWB Director of Behavioral Health & Wellness As the world prepares for another era-defining World Cup, millions of young people will watch soccer’s biggest stars and dream about what’s possible. But long before packed stadiums and international broadcasts flood the U.S., something equally important is already happening on neighborhood fields and community pitche

Photo by Marc Bryan-Brown We’re honored to share that Soccer Without Borders (SWB) has been named the recipient of the 2026 Celebration of Service Award by Sports Business Journal, recognizing two decades of using soccer as a vehicle for positive change by creating belonging, opportunity, and community for underserved youth around the world. The award was presented on May 20th, during the 2026 Sports Business Awards at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York City. SWB b

20 Years Through the Eyes of Soccer Without Borders Coaches For 20 years, Soccer Without Borders has been built upon countless moments. Some moments were big: walking onto a professional stadium field, traveling across the world, winning a championship, graduating from high school. Others were quieter: a teammate cheering someone on, a first assist, a big hub before practice. We asked members of the SWB community to share some memories that has stayed with them. Coaches, staf

2026 marks 20 years of Soccer Without Borders (SWB) as we launch into a monumental year for soccer in the United States. 2026 not only brings the World Cup but for SWB, it will be a year that reflects on our beginnings, our journey of community impact and organizational growth, and a year to listen and consider what the next 20 years may hold. It is because of incredible SWB community members – like you – that we have served over 60,000 youth from 122 countries, speaking 112

Soccer Without Borders joins a highly selective network of nonprofits working to address our country’s biggest problems. BALTIMORE, MD, January 12, 2025 – Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is proud to announce it has been selected to participate in Stand Together Foundation’s Catalyst Ignite, a leadership and organizational development experience designed to help nonprofits discover new and innovative solutions and drive transformative change alongside their communities. SWB is on

Dear Friends, We are living and working in a time of great transition in our communities and as a humanity. Global displacement soars...