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Celebrating 20 Years of SWB

  • Soccer Without Borders
  • 25 minutes ago
  • 3 min read

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 unique languages since our inception. 


What started as a volunteer-led passion project to use soccer to support marginalized youth has evolved into a sector-leading, global effort that prioritizes lived experience, trauma-resilient frameworks, a portfolio of services that meets youth where they are, and is led by a professional team trained in youth development and brings decades of collective technical expertise.  


And, together, during these past 20 years, we have achieved the following:

  • Established year-round programming in four U.S. states serving newcomer youth through soccer, education and English language learning, and community-building activities

  • Created a youth-centered, holistic coaching framework that centers the development of the person, not just the technical skills of a soccer player

  • 45% female participation across all SWB programs, illustrating a commitment to access for girls and the long-term effects that sport has on leadership for women

  • 95% high school graduation rate in the United States, compared to 71% among all English Learners 

  • Providing full-day academic and soccer programming for 300+ youth daily in Kampala, Uganda and implementing consistent educational and soccer support for marginalized girls in Granada, Nicaragua

  • Received awards and accolades from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, FIFA, Beyond Sport, and the Yield Giving Open Call


In 2026, we are excited to:

  • Implement our 2026-2030 strategic plan, building on two decades of intentional practices. We will scale and strengthen our model to shift the values and mindsets of the sports ecosystem toward a more just and joyful future. 

  • Lead the Sport for Refugees Coalition, a network of 170+ organizations dedicated to harnessing the power of sport to create lasting, positive change for refugees.

  • Leverage the attention that the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will bring to soccer by elevating the importance of community in soccer.


As noted by Ashoka’s Sport for Changemaking Initiative:

“Sport changemakers believe that sport is a unique means to learn, building identity and enhancing the lives of individuals, shifting the mindset from becoming ‘better athletes’ to ‘better people’ and fostering the values of a good citizen – empathy, leadership, teamwork, and agency – particularly for youth. By prioritizing the educational, health, and social development outcomes of sport, the developed identities activate the agency of the individuals.”


We invite you to come along with us during this year of reflection, celebration, and hope for the future. Here’s how you can get involved:


Thank you for being a part of this community. We couldn’t do this work without you.


In partnership,


Jennifer Tepper Chris Grecco

Executive Director Board President




 
 
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