Canada SCORES To Experience Full Circle Moment as Poet-Athletes Selected to be Official Player Escorts at 2026 FIFA World Cup

May 15

Toronto, May 15, 2026 – Over thirty years ago, a young Canadian teacher, working at an urban school in Washington DC planted the seeds of a movement that she may never have thought would still be creating impact all these years later.

The origin story of The SCORES Network is one of organic evolution based on seeing great need right in front this young teacher. Julie Kennedy must be so pleased that after DC SCORES, the first of what is now thirteen affiliates, was recognized as a 1994 FIFA World Cup Legacy Program, that several affiliates will be on the World’s biggest stage during the 2026 event, including those from her home country of Canada!

Thanks in great part to our partnership as a member of Common Goal and their football for good global community, Canada SCORES has been selected by Quaker Canada, as the Lead Organization to provide the Official Player Escorts at the upcoming World Cup matches taking place in both Toronto and Vancouver. Nearly 300 young Canadians from underserved communities will take to the field with stars of the game. Proving that they too belong on the world’s biggest stages. That their voice matters. That their story matters.

"Common Goal was built on the belief that the beating heart of soccer is in the communities that love it," said Common Goal CEO Mary Connor."For these 286 young people from Canada SCORES, walking onto that pitch will not only be a forever memory, but a signal that this sport and this stage belong to them too. These are the connections that Common Goal exists to power, and we are grateful to Quaker Canada for investing in the potential of the next generation, on the field and off."

Shining a spotlight on local youth, Quaker Canada, in partnership with Common Goal, have worked with Canada SCORES to provide this once in a lifetime opportunity to Canadian youth from under-resourced communities. Player escorts will walk professional players onto the pitch across 13 matches and connect them directly to the global exhibition of FIFA World Cup.

"The FIFA World Cup is one of the most universal moments in global sport, bringing people together in a way few things can," said Diana Ly, Marketing Director at Quaker Canada."We believe that a complete breakfast fuels more than just mornings--it fuels potential. Through this partnership with Common Goal and Canada SCORES, we're living that mission on the biggest stage in sports, showing young people that when their needs are met, their potential can take the field."

Quaker Canada is making a $50,000 USD grant commitment to driving impact by powering consistent nutrition, transportation, and expanding programming hours for young people in Canada SCORES programs across host cities Toronto and Vancouver. This initiative directly supports young people who deserve to see themselves on the world's biggest stage.

Nutrition Programming: Expanding access to healthy snacks and nutrition support in Toronto programs
Transportation Support: Funding consistent transportation for Spring and Fall programming in both Toronto and Vancouver
Program Expansion: Increasing programming hours by 50% across up to 10 school sites in Vancouver
Community Selection: Young people were selected through participation and positive values demonstrated in Canada SCORES' after-school programming

"For 30 years across North America, and more than a decade in Canada, Canada SCORES has empowered young people to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence to make a difference," said Nick Taylor, National Executive Director at Canada SCORES."This partnership with Quaker Canada and Common Goal is an extension of our mission of using soccer as a platform to create opportunity and inspire potential in young people who deserve to see themselves on the world's biggest stage.”

Watch as three Poet-Athletes from the Canada-SCORES after school program in Toronto join Canada Soccer star Richie Laryea on the set of TSN’s SC With Jay Onrait that aired May 14th-15th.