(Plain Press July 2026) Six teens from Cleveland SCORES have been chosen to take part in an international youth festival connected to this year’s 2026 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup™ in Boston, one of the tournament’s host cities.

   The group from Cleveland SCORES, a nonprofit providing afterschool programming through soccer, poetry and service learning, will be one of the more than 40 U.S. and international delegations attending Festival 26, which takes place July 5-13. It will bring together 400 youth from around the world for a cultural exchange, a fair play football tournament and football for good workshops.

   A FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match will take place in Boston during the festival.

   The trip and once-in-a-lifetime experience are possible thanks to the support of Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. The teens and two Cleveland SCORES leaders will stay on the Boston University campus.

   The Cleveland SCORES delegates are Love Johnson, 13, and Mariyah Lewis, 14, both of Warner Girls Leadership Academy; Savannah Davis, 13, of the John Hay Cleveland School of Science & Medicine; Saib Meslat, 13, of New Tech West High School; Tamir Abakar, 13, of John Marshall High School; and Kamron Perkins, 13, of North Royalton High School.

   The festival aims to empower young people and give them a voice while creating a sense of belonging.

   “I’m extremely excited. I’m excited for the new experience, the bonds that I’ll make and the knowledge I’ll take in from it,” Davis said.

   Johnson said, “I’m feeling low-key nervous because this is the first time I’m going somewhere without my parents. And it is my first time riding on a plane, so I’m scared about that. But I feel like it’s going to be pretty cool.”

   SCORES leaders attending the festival will be Program Manager Timothy Hinton and Program Coordinator Alondra Padilla.

   “I am incredibly excited for the young people and my staff to go to Boston — not only to play soccer, but for the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. Soccer (or football) is a unifying force that breaks down barriers,” said Cleveland SCORES Executive Director Alison Black. “They are going to be with young people who may not speak the same language or fully understand each other’s backgrounds, but they are all part of something that invites inclusion and connection.”

   She added, “Too often, we forget about the community that makes soccer so special and it’s the grassroots communities. This event is bringing those together. Our kids get to be part of something that creates that kind of camaraderie and will be a memory that lasts a lifetime and leaves a lasting impact.”

   “The Columbus Crew are proud to support Cleveland SCORES and help create opportunities for these teens to experience the power of soccer on a global stage,” said Stephanie Cedeno, Crew Director of Community Relations. “We’re excited for these students to build lifelong memories, form new friendships and represent Ohio as part of this incredible experience.”

   Cleveland SCORES (formerly America SCORES Cleveland) is an official legacy program of the 1994 World Cup. The organization serves more than 1,500 youth at 17 schools in the city using a tri-curricular model of poetry, soccer and service learning to help students thrive.

   The Columbus Crew are dedicated to serving their community and inspiring a love of the beautiful game, which unites people across the globe. The Columbus Crew’s Soccer in Schools program provides a free, turnkey youth soccer curriculum and resources for physical education teachers, helping increase access to the game while encouraging students to stay active, engaged, and excited to come to school. The Crew is also a proud partner of the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, a statewide initiative focused on improving school attendance and student engagement through strategic partnerships with school districts across Ohio. To learn more visit, columbuscrew.com/community/