World Down Syndrome Day 2026: Why Football Fights Loneliness

On 21 March 2026, the global community marks World Down Syndrome Day under the theme "Together Against Loneliness" a message that sits at the heart of everything FOOTBALL IS MORE Foundation stands for.

Research shows that loneliness disproportionately affects people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, with studies finding that 39% of people with intellectual disabilities often feel lonely, compared to 14% of people without disabilities.

The issue goes beyond emotion — loneliness is increasingly recognised as a serious health concern linked to anxiety, depression, and physical harm, often rooted in social exclusion and stigma. United Nations

For FOOTBALL IS MORE, this reality is precisely why mixed-ability football matters. Across Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein, and the UAE, the foundation's programmes bring people with and without disabilities together on the same pitch, in the same team, working toward the same goal. The Swiss Inclusion League, Special Adventure Camps, and coach education initiatives all share a common thread: they create spaces where being present becomes included.

A training session is never just about football. It is about hearing your name shouted in encouragement. About a teammate looking for you with a pass. About the shared rhythm of a warm-up, the laughter after a missed shot, and the pride of a goal scored together. These moments — small as they may seem — are the antidote to isolation.

This year's World Down Syndrome Day theme reminds us that inclusion is not a passive act. It requires intention, structure, and community. It requires organisations, clubs, and individuals to build spaces where genuine connection can grow. FOOTBALL IS MORE Foundation remains committed to doing exactly that — through sport, through solidarity, and through action.

Because on a mixed-ability pitch, no one is on the sidelines. And that is how loneliness is lost.

Learn more about our programmes with us and join us in building a more connected world — on the pitch and beyond.