The Guatemalan Unified Women’s National Team was sworn in and will travel to Paris to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Soccer World Cup, the most important event in unified soccer worldwide.
The tournament will be held from July 6 to 11 in the French capital, with the participation of 24 national delegations: 12 women’s and 12 men’s. The teams are made up of athletes with intellectual disabilities and unified teammates, under the Special Olympics Unified Sports program.
Guatemala was placed in Group B and will face the United States, Azerbaijan and Namibia in the group stage. The matches will be played at the Charléty Stadium and on the campus of the International University of Paris, where more than 300 footballers will share a week of competition, coexistence and inclusion.
The national team is made up of young people between 16 and 23 years old and is led by Gloria Aguilar, with the support of Jorge Juárez and doctor Edgar Noj. Its classification represents recognition of the growth of unified women’s soccer in the country and an opportunity to promote inclusion through sport.
Guatemala schedule in the group stage
- Guatemala vs. United States — Tuesday, July 7, 2:00 AM Guatemala time, Charléty Stadium
- Guatemala vs. Azerbaijan — Wednesday, July 8, 2:00 AM Guatemala time, Dalmasso Stadium
- Guatemala vs. Namibia — Wednesday, July 8, 8:30 AM Guatemala time, PUC Stadium
Guatemalan Delegation
- Athletes: Alejandra Azucena Yocute Ruiz, Nelsi Abigail Dávila, Yanira Aracely Vicente Chojolán, Daroulin Sabrina Ávila López, Jessy Valeska Velásquez Xec and Sherlyn Leilany Monroy Melgar.
- Unified Companions: Diana Carolina Arias Catalán (Captain), Gabriela Alejandra Brito Pérez, Gabriela Nohemy Fuentes Chávez, Betzabé Maryory Yazury Raxón Chajón and Flor de María Francineth Perla Aguirre.
The Guatemalan delegation will leave for Paris in the coming days with the hope of representing the country on the most important sporting stage of unified football worldwide. The trip represents not only a competition but also a powerful message that transcends the final result on the field and that fills all Guatemalan sports with pride.