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Western Australia is making history! For the first time ever, an Australian team will compete in the Genuine World Cup 2025, an international football tournament celebrating inclusion and excellence. Football Futures Foundation’s Western Australia Intellectual Disability (WAID) team will stand alongside global football giants, including FC Barcelona Foundation, Valencia CF, and Inter Miami, as well as national teams from Mexico, India, and more.
This momentous occasion marks a new frontier for intellectual disability football in Australia. Until now, there has been no state-level competitive pathway for players with intellectual disabilities. Football Futures Foundation has changed that by establishing the WAID team, paving the way for greater inclusion and recognition within the sport. This is more than just a tournament; it is a movement towards equity, recognition, and opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Football Futures Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to Football West, Robbie Gaspar, President of the Indonesia Institute, and Anuj Kichlu, Director & CEO of BEST OF YOU SPORTS India, for their ongoing support and advocacy. Their belief in the power of inclusive football and their efforts in building global connections have played a pivotal role in elevating this movement to the world stage. Their leadership exemplifies the spirit of international collaboration that makes the Genuine World Cup so special.
Football Futures Foundation is calling on the Western Australian community, government, and corporate sponsors to support this historic journey. The Foundation is actively fundraising $50,000 to support the program at the Genuine World Cup 2025 in Houston, Texas. This funding will also enable their participation in Genuine Connect—a global forum at Rice University, dedicated to expanding opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in sports, education, and employment.
Beyond the competition, this campaign is a call for recognition and advocacy:
- Recognition of intellectual disability football by FIFA and governing bodies.
- Official recognition of WAID as a State Team by Football West and Football Australia.
- Greater awareness and advocacy for players with intellectual disabilities in football.
