Football is one of the most popular of the 30 official sports offered within Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE), in partnership with UEFA We Care, has achieved significant progress towards expansion of football opportunities for people with intellectual disability:

• Increase from 15,000 in 2000 to almost 100,000 players today
• Annual Special Olympics European Football Week attracts over 50,000 athletes, with media, football clubs and national federation involvement
• Ten European-level football competitions since 2000
• Network of National Football Coordinators expanded to 48 countries, with annual
  European meetings
• Network of ambassador (celebrities and influential individuals in the world of football)
  in 23 countries
• Four video training kits produced: Skills training at three levels, Goalkeeping, Divisioning and Assistant Coaching.

To continue to increase access to more players, we will need continued support from national football associations, clubs, volunteer coaches, sponsors and the media to help us create new and exciting opportunities for Special Olympics players in the years to come.