As the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off this week, a Cleveland-area soccer organization is giving local youth players a unique way to engage with the international tournament through a new passport program.
Cleveland Po Soccer, which serves young athletes throughout the Greater Cleveland area including many from the southwest suburbs, has launched an interactive passport initiative designed to educate and excite young fans about the global soccer competition.
The program allows participants to learn about the various countries competing in the World Cup while tracking their engagement with the tournament. Young soccer players can earn stamps and rewards as they follow along with matches and complete activities related to the participating nations.
The 2026 World Cup marks a historic moment for American soccer fans, as the United States co-hosts the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico. While Cleveland was not selected as a host city, the region’s passionate soccer community is finding ways to celebrate the event locally.
For families in Parma, Strongsville, North Royalton, and surrounding communities, the passport program offers an educational opportunity that combines their children’s love of soccer with geography and cultural awareness. The initiative encourages young players to watch matches, learn about different countries’ soccer traditions, and connect the sport they play locally to its worldwide significance.
Youth soccer continues to grow in popularity across the southwest Cleveland suburbs, with numerous recreational and competitive leagues operating throughout the region. Programs like the passport initiative help maintain enthusiasm for the sport during the summer months when many school-based activities are on hiatus.
Parents interested in the passport program can contact Cleveland Po Soccer for more information about how their young athletes can participate throughout the duration of the World Cup tournament.
SOURCE: Original reporting by News 5 Cleveland