ATHENS — Migrant and refugee amateur soccer teams in Athens held the Kypseli Mundial grassroots tournament ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The event featured 21 teams with players connected to Albania, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, and Sudan.

Matches took place on practice fields in urban Athens neighborhoods, with spectators gathering behind chain-link fences. Supporters waved Congolese and Ivorian flags in the Kypseli district, and volunteers led outdoor drumming lessons near one venue, located close to Plato’s Academy. The atmosphere remained friendly, with fans from rival teams joking and sharing laughs despite competitive play.

Nigeria’s team won the men’s competition, while Greek neighborhood club Fostiras claimed the women’s title. Head referee Chara Vogiatzidaki said, "There are so many countries and different cultures, and I think the main goal is to show respect for all communities." She added, "There are some teams that are technically very advanced, and others that are less so. But the important thing is that all the teams have the mindset of enjoying themselves. That’s really beautiful."

The tournament was founded three years ago by Ivorian Moussa Sangare. He said he created the event to use football to combat fear and mistrust toward migrants in Greece. "People are often afraid of migrants, but we wanted to change this narrative. Interacting with migrants and second-generation migrants and doing things together: People change their minds through experience," Sangare said. He described the tournament as "like a mini–World Cup in Greece."

Many participants balance soccer with long hours in restaurant kitchens, hotels, construction sites, and food delivery jobs across Athens. Amelie Nguedia of Cameroon said, "Coming to play here is a real pleasure. We aren’t professionals, but we love participating." She added she would support Ivory Coast at the World Cup because Cameroon failed to qualify. The tournament occurred before new European Union migration and asylum rules are set to take effect on June 12, 2026, one day after the scheduled start of the 2026 World Cup.