Young people to take centre stage at the UEFA Super Cup
Friday, August 7, 2026
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The UEFA Foundation for Children will give local NGO beneficiaries from vulnerable backgrounds the opportunity to play a central role in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, creating unforgettable experiences through the power of football.
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Working with local non-governmental organisations Breaking Grounds and Mentor – Association for Education and Integration, the UEFA Foundation will bring children closer to the action when the winners of last season's UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League go head-to-head at Stadion Salzburg.
The young participants will attend the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, meet the players and play an important role in the matchday ceremonies. Those from Mentor will carry the centre-circle flag during the opening ceremony, with the Breaking Grounds group taking on the role during the closing ceremony.
A starring role for Ali
When the final whistle blows in Salzburg, either Paris Saint-Germain or Aston Villa will have secured their first silverware of the season. Joining UEFA president and UEFA Foundation for Children chairman Aleksander Čeferin to present the medals will be eight-year-old Ali.
Born in Austria to Somali parents who arrived in the country 15 years ago in search of a better future, Ali has one great passion – football.
Ali – a Breaking Grounds beneficiary – is excited to experience the Super Cup from the heart of the action.
"I'm super excited to see the footballers up close, to be part of the medal ceremony and to meet the referee, Omar Artan," he says.
Football, friendship and equality
All the beneficiaries attending the Super Cup will have the opportunity to meet Artan, adding another memorable experience to a special occasion.
For Yusra from Breaking Grounds, the encounter will hold particular significance. Artan is the first Somali referee to officiate at a major international tournament, and the two share both a Somali heritage and a passion for football.
Raised in Somalia, Yusra began playing football at an early age despite facing social barriers that discouraged girls from taking part.
After moving to Austria, Yusra returned to the pitch and now plays football four or five times a week, finding friendship, a sense of belonging and the freedom to be herself.
"Everyone is equal, and football has shown me that too," she says.
Her meeting with Artan will offer another powerful example of the connections and opportunities football can create, reflecting the UEFA Foundation's commitment to inspiring young people and building memories that last a lifetime.
"Everyone is equal, and football has shown me that too."
A dream evening in Salzburg
The UEFA Foundation will also join forces with the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation to organise a special ‘Dream Evening’ for a child facing significant health challenges.
Since its creation in 2000, the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation has supported underprivileged children, young people affected by illness and vulnerable communities in France and around the world.
During the Super Cup, the child selected for the Dream Evening will experience the matchday atmosphere from close range, watching the players warm up from pitchside before enjoying the game from the stands.
They will also have the opportunity to meet Paris Saint-Germain players in person, transforming a lifelong dream into an unforgettable reality.
Together, these initiatives will ensure that the 2026 Super Cup delivers an impact far beyond the pitch, shining a spotlight on the power of football to inspire, include and transform the lives of children around the world.