In Mexico City, a youth soccer club is doing far more than teaching kids how to kick a ball. Migrantes FC was founded in 2024 as a way to protect migrant children—many of whom arrived in Mexico with their families while fleeing violence or hardship in their home countries—from the dangers of life on the street, including gangs and exploitation.
Since its launch, the program has welcomed roughly 200 children, offering them a safe space to train, build friendships, and work toward goals that go well beyond the soccer field. For many of these kids, the club has become a turning point, giving them structure and a sense of belonging during an especially uncertain chapter of their lives.
According to Telemundo’s report, some of the children who once trained with Migrantes FC have since continued their journeys north, now living in the United States and pursuing new opportunities there. Their stories highlight how a simple sports initiative can offer not just physical activity, but also protection, mentorship, and a renewed sense of hope for migrant families navigating difficult circumstances.
To see the full video report and hear directly from the children and organizers behind Migrantes FC, check out the original story on Telemundo.
Source: El proyecto deportivo Migrantes FC en México ayuda a niños a cambiar sus vidas (telemundo.com).
Image: chescrowel, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).