Israel’s Totto Equal Football Team capped a memorable run at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Soccer World Cup in Paris by finishing fourth in the world, while forward Tomer Gini claimed the tournament’s Golden Boot after finishing as its leading scorer.
Representing Israel at the Special Olympics Unified Soccer World Cup, which brings together players with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities on the same team, Israel impressed throughout the tournament, competing against some of the world’s strongest sides while demonstrating both a high standard of soccer and the values of inclusion, teamwork and mutual respect that define Unified sport.
Considered one of the favorites to win the tournament, Israel’s title hopes were hampered by a series of injuries, with four players sidelined during the competition. Despite the setbacks, the squad continued to battle in every match, displaying determination, commitment and teamwork throughout its campaign.
Coached by former Israel youth national team manager Ofir Haim, Israel enjoyed an outstanding group-stage campaign.
The team opened with a commanding 6-0 victory over China before defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1. A narrow 4-3 loss to Paraguay in the final group match was still enough to send Israel into the semifinals, securing its place among the tournament’s final four after two victories and an impressive display of soccer and sportsmanship.
Israel’s run ended in the semifinals with a 3-1 defeat to Jamaica
The injury problems continued early in the match when Nadav, one of Israel’s leading Unified players, was forced off with an injury. Later in the first half, Gini was also injured following a collision with the opposing goalkeeper and had to leave the match at halftime. Israel trailed 2-0 at the break and, despite battling until the final whistle, fell 3-1 to advance to the third-place match.
Playing with only two substitutes available because of the mounting injuries, Israel lost a closely contested 2-1 match to Paraguay the following day, ultimately finishing fourth in the world.
One of the stars of the tournament was 22-year-old Gini, from Kibbutz Mefalsim.
After scoring eight goals in the three group-stage matches, he finished the tournament with 10 goals to earn the Golden Boot as the competition’s leading scorer.
Beyond the results on the field, the Special Olympics Unified Soccer World Cup places inclusion, equality and acceptance at the heart of the competition.
Throughout the tournament, players from different countries took part in activities designed to foster friendships, build trust and encourage teamwork both on and off the field, using soccer as a bridge between people, cultures and nations.
Israel’s participation stemmed from the Totto Equal Football League, a joint initiative of the Israel Sports Association for the Disabled and the Israel Sports Betting Board (Totto), managed by Special Olympics Israel in cooperation with the Israel Football Association.
This marked the first time Israel competed as one of the 12 men’s national teams in the tournament, which featured a total of 24 men’s and women’s teams selected from among the 190 countries affiliated with Special Olympics worldwide. One of the delegation’s primary goals was to raise awareness of the Totto Equal Football League and encourage additional soccer clubs across Israel to establish Unified teams, where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities compete side by side while promoting equal opportunity, acceptance and inclusion, alongside physical and mental well-being and a stronger sense of community.
Team became foundation of new generation of Israeli soccer
Haim, who coaches the team, is regarded as one of Israel’s leading soccer coaches following his success with Israel’s youth national team, which reached the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final and won the bronze medal at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup while recording memorable victories over Brazil and Germany.
Under his leadership, that team became the foundation of a new generation of Israeli soccer.
Haim has also maintained a close personal connection to the world of intellectual disabilities and has worked with Special Olympics Israel for several years.
Last September, he participated in one of the organization’s professional training conferences on the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in sports, where he spoke about his personal journey with his son, Or, who is on the autism spectrum.
The 2026 Special Olympics Unified Soccer World Cup featured 60 matches across four stadiums in Paris and more than 300 players.
The men’s competition included France, Bharat (India), Brazil, China, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Libya, Paraguay, Senegal, Spain and the United Arab Emirates, while the women’s tournament featured host France, Azerbaijan, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Namibia, Slovakia, Thailand and the United States.
Each men’s team consisted of 16 players - nine Special Olympics athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities and seven Unified partners without disabilities. Matches were played with 11 players on the field, including six athletes with disabilities and five Unified partners at all times.
“The delegation proved that the heart is bigger than any challenge,” Haim said. “I am proud of every one of the players. They played five matches in five days while dealing with significant injuries and never stopped fighting. They represented the State of Israel with great honor and gave everything they had on the field.”
Special Olympics Israel CEO Sharon Levy Belanga said the team’s greatest achievement extended beyond its fourth-place finish.
“The real achievement is not only finishing fourth in the world, but the journey itself,” she said. “The players showed the world perseverance, friendship and belief in their abilities. We are returning to Israel not only with soccer champions, but with champions of tolerance, patience, inclusion and respect for others. It was a privilege to accompany the team on this historic journey.
“I want to thank coach Ofir Haim, who led the players with dedication, professionalism and a huge heart, and Idan Burstein from the Israel Football Association for the partnership, support and belief throughout the journey. This team proved that sport is about much more than results - it is a force that brings people together, changes perceptions and allows everyone to believe there are no limits to what can be achieved.”
Head of delegation Jon Tzuri said the team’s experience went well beyond the results.
“We leave this championship with enormous pride,” he said. “Soccer here is much more than a game - it is a language that connects people, cultures and countries. It is a privilege to be part of an event that puts inclusion and acceptance at its center. Our players not only played excellent soccer, they learned to know one another, trust one another and build friendships that cross borders.
Beyond Israel’s borders, they were true ambassadors for the State of Israel and the values we believe in.”