Young footballers from a rural village in Punjab have brought global recognition to India with an impressive runners-up finish at the Street Child World Cup 2026 in Mexico City. Their journey from a grassroots football academy to an international sporting platform highlights the transformative role of community institutions, perseverance and access to opportunities in helping young people realise their potential.
A team of young footballers from rural Punjab recently returned home after finishing runners-up at the Street Child World Cup 2026 in Mexico City. Representing Youth Football Club (YFC) Rurka Kalan, the players delivered an impressive campaign, defeating teams from Argentina, Indonesia, Mexico, Malaysia and Egypt before facing Brazil in the final.
Organised by Street Child United, the tournament brings together young people from underserved communities across the world, using sport as a platform to promote inclusion, empowerment and children's rights. The 2026 edition featured teams from more than 20 countries.
The achievement has also drawn attention to YFC Rurka Kalan, a grassroots football academy in Jalandhar that works with young people through programmes focused on sport, education and health. The academy engages more than 10,000 children and youth annually, creating opportunities for personal development both on and off the field.
Many of the players overcame significant personal challenges to reach the international stage. Defender Silas Sidhu, who lost his father in 2019, was raised by his mother. Arshdeep, whose father works as a labourer, experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, while midfielder Raminder Singh spent years pursuing football before finding structured support through YFC. Their success reflects years of dedication, training and encouragement from the community around them.
Since 2024, Feeding India has partnered with YFC Rurka Kalan to support children training at the academy with nutritious meals. The support complements the academy's broader efforts to help young athletes focus on training, education and overall development.
Beyond the sporting achievement, the team's success highlights the role that grassroots institutions and community support can play in creating opportunities for young people from underserved backgrounds. Their performance on the global stage stands as an inspiring example of what young people can achieve when talent is matched with the right support systems.
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