Mega-events like the World Cup affect the children who live where they're held. Generation 2026 asks those children directly.
At a glance
Question
How do children and youth in host cities experience the FIFA Men's World Cup 2026, including their safety and rights?
Partners
Centre for Sport and Human Rights (Generation 2026 initiative)
Funder
Centre for Sport and Human Rights (funded by the Oak Foundation)
Timeline
2024-2026
Why it matters
The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup was held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Mega-events like this affect the children who live in host cities in many ways: new opportunities to play and connect, but also risks to their safety and rights. Children are rarely asked directly about these experiences. Hearing from young people helps host cities, organizers, and future hosts plan events that include and protect them.
What we’re doing
Generation 2026 is a Centre for Sport and Human Rights initiative. As part of it, Child and Youth Surveys gathered the views of young people in host cities during the tournament. We are writing the first paper describing the initiative and its surveys.
What we’ve learned so far
Project in progress
Papers from this project
Prog Community Health Partnersh, 2026
Engaging the national youth football community in a child sexual abuse research advisory board
One-line finding.
J Child Sex Abuse, 2026
Child sexual abuse prevention and response behaviors among a sample of youth football coaches
One-line finding.
Funded by the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, with support from the Oak Foundation.They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the funding organizations or their members.
Can’t access a paper? Email us and we’ll share it.