District-wide educator training will expand access to soccer for students across Oakland schools through local partnership with Oakland Genesis
Now that the World Cup Finals are set for this Sunday between Spain and Argentina, there is exciting news to share about a growing partnership that will benefit Oakland students.
Oakland Unified School District and U.S. Soccer, through the Soccer Forward Foundation, are announcing the expansion of its Soccer at Schools initiative across the District, which will bring district-wide educator training to schools across Oakland starting in the 2026-27 school year, aiming to reach all elementary teachers and impact students at every elementary school.
At the World Cup, Oakland Athletic League Commissioner Franky Navarro met with former professional soccer player and coach, C.J. Brown, who is with U.S. Soccer and Soccer Forward, to discuss the partnership and supporting Oakland students. Photo courtesy OUSD.
Delivered in collaboration with the Oakland Athletic League and Oakland Genesis and supported by local community partners, the initiative will equip educators with the tools, resources, and confidence to introduce and implement soccer into the school day, creating more opportunities for students to experience the game while strengthening connections between schools and community-based soccer programming.
The expansion builds upon U.S. Soccer’s commitment in Oakland through the foundation’s Soccer Forward Communities initiative, designed to increase access to soccer by investing in shared vision of growing the game with local schools, soccer organizations and local leaders and donors. Additionally, this work builds upon the opening of the District’s – and Oakland’s – first FIFA Arena at Montera Middle School, creating a stronger network of places to play and opportunities to participate throughout the community.
“What an exciting time this has been in the Bay Area with the World Cup right here,” said OUSD Superintendent Dr. Denise Saddler. “And we are so grateful that this beloved international event has enabled our schools to benefit immediately – in the case of Montera with its new pitch – and more long-term for schools with this injection of soccer programming. We know soccer will help an increasing number of students as they learn and grow as athletes, people, and leaders. We thank U.S. Soccer, Soccer Forward, and Oakland Genesis for enhancing our students’ educational experience.”
The announcement comes two weeks after the U.S. Men’s National Team’s historic Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Bay Area and celebrated through a community event at LIFE Academy in partnership with Bay Area Host Committee which brought together more than 15 organizations across the area including Cal North Soccer Association, NorCal Premier, Bay Area SCORES, Soccer Without Borders, Street Soccer USA, Positive Coaching Alliance, Girls Unite, Female Footballers, Boys and Girls Club, Oakland Roots & Soul Sports Club, San Jose Earthquakes, and Bay FC.
“Soccer has the power to create healthier schools, stronger communities and greater opportunities for young people,” said Lex Chalat, executive director of the Soccer Forward Foundation. “Through Soccer Forward Communities and the Soccer at Schools initiative developed in partnership with Bank of America, we’re proud to continue investing in Oakland by working alongside Oakland Unified School District, Oakland Genesis, the Bay Area Host Committee, and local partners to equip educators with the resources they need to introduce more students to the game. Together, we’re creating lasting opportunities for young people to experience the many benefits soccer can provide.”
“The FIFA World Cup represents much more than just the competition on the pitch – it is also an incredible opportunity to create lasting impact in our communities,” said Zaileen Janmohamed, president and CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee. “By bringing together schools, community organizations and local leaders, we’re helping ensure the momentum created by the tournament results in meaningful experiences for Oakland’s young people long after the final match is played.”
Soccer at Schools is a national initiative led by the Soccer Forward Foundation in partnership with Bank of America to make soccer accessible in every school in America by 2030. Through Soccer Forward Communities: Oakland, U.S. Soccer and its partners are bringing that vision to life by connecting schools, educators and community organizations to create lasting opportunities for more young people to experience the game. Together, these efforts are helping build a stronger, more connected soccer ecosystem that will benefit Oakland’s youth for years to come.
This story is from the Oakland Unified School district’s media relations department.
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