Unity EURO Cup 2026 brings record 22 teams together in Coverciano to celebrate inclusion through football

—- The fifth edition of the tournament organised by UEFA and in partnership with UNHCR took place on 15 October at the Italian Football Federation’s technical centre, bringing together refugees and players from host communities across Europe
The Unity EURO Cup returned on 15 October for its fifth edition, with a record 22 teams gathering at Coverciano, the Italian Football Federation’s iconic national technical centre near Florence. Organised by UEFA and in partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the tournament celebrates the power of football to unite people from different backgrounds and support the social inclusion of refugees.

This year’s edition featured four more teams than in 2025, reflecting the continued growth of the initiative and its reach across Europe. Refugees and members of their host communities competed together in a mixed-gender, seven-a-side tournament, demonstrating how football can foster understanding, and create opportunities for meaningful participation in society. Each squad included seven refugee players and four players from host communities, with at least three women.

Through football, the tournament created a safe and inclusive space for refugees and host communities to come together, build connections and strengthen a sense of belonging – both on the field and in the communities they return to.

In a day filled with emotion, energy and sportsmanship, Latvia claimed the Unity EURO Cup title with a 2-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in an exciting final, bringing to a close a tournament defined not only by goals and results, but also by the friendships, mutual respect and solidarity shared among all participants. The final was officiated by UEFA international referee Maurizio Mariani, who also took charge of the 2026 UEFA Conference League final earlier this year.

Filippo Veglio, UEFA’s Chief of Social and Environmental Sustainability, said: “The Unity EURO Cup demonstrates the unique power of football to bring people together, break down barriers and create a sense of belonging. By bringing refugees and host communities together on the pitch, we are helping to build connections that extend far beyond the game itself. Hosting this year’s tournament at Coverciano, a landmark of Italian football, is a fitting reminder that football’s greatest impact is not only measured in results, but also in the opportunities it creates for people and communities.”

Camilla Jelbart, UNHCR’s Chief of Partnerships and Coordination, said: “Every year, the Unity Euro Cup is a powerful reminder that football can be a gamechanger for displaced people and host communities. It creates a safe space to build confidence, belonging and community, and can help create opportunities for people forced to flee. In this year’s UEFA-UNHCR Unity Euro Cup, 22 teams from European Football Associations came together in an act of unity, with refugees playing alongside their host community peers. It was powerful to see the connections and opportunities that this tournament helped create, both on and beyond the pitch.”

Giovanni Malagò, FIGC Commissioner, added: “FIGC is honored to have hosted the Unity EURO Cup for the first time in Coverciano, the home of Italian football. The 2026 edition of this event dedicated to “Refugee Teams” was, once again, an exceptional opportunity of acceptance and integration while sharing the values of sport. It stands as a shining example of how football can serve as an effective vehicle for inclusion, perfectly aligning with the FIGC’s Social and Environmental Sustainability Strategy. It was touching to see our “Refugee Team” wear the Italian “Azzurri” jersey at a venue so iconic to us, and to witness them compete against other European teams with such dedication and sportsmanship. A huge acknowledgment to UEFA and UNHCR for giving us the opportunity to experience these emotions.”

The Unity EURO Cup is a key initiative within UEFA’s Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, which supports the inclusion of refugees, asylum-seekers and displaced individuals through football. In partnership with UNHCR, UEFA continues to use the reach of the game to strengthen social inclusion, promote opportunities for refugees and demonstrate that refugees bring talent, diversity and new perspectives to football, enriching our game and our communities.

Participating teams in 2026:
Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Malta, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Poland, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and the European Commission team.

Further information about the tournament, its history and UEFA’s partnership with UNHCR is available on UEFA.com and at the links below:

• UEFA-UNHCR’s Unity EURO Cup
• UNHCR’s sport for protection work​

About UEFA
UEFA is the governing body of European football and a not-for-profit organisation which supports and ensures the world’s most popular sport continues to thrive at all levels across its 55 member associations. As part of its commitment, UEFA invests 97.5% of its revenue in football-related activities, projects and initiatives that ensure the continued development of the men’s and women’s professional game as well as youth, grassroots and futsal.
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