The Athletic Club Fundazioa team will take part in the second edition of the Genuine World Cup, an international tournament celebrating inclusive sports, starting tomorrow
The Genuine team from Athletic Club Fundazioa has already landed in Houston, Texas, to compete in the Genuine World Cup 2025. This international inclusive football tournament will take place from July 29 to August 1, bringing together 38 teams from 23 countries and four continents. The red-and-white delegation flew out from Bilbao yesterday, excited to enjoy an unforgettable experience both on and off the pitch.
Before the journey, Athletic Club met with two players, Iraide and Iván, to support them in the lead-up to this very special trip. In a video shared on the club’s official channels, the two shared their excitement as they packed their bags, expressing a mix of nerves, joy, and encouragement from their families.
The tournament, held on the campus of Rice University, kicks off tomorrow with the opening matches of the initial phase. Athletic Genuine is part of the Vinson & Elkins group, where they will face top teams such as Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan, PSG, Nàstic de Tarragona, Benfica, the Mexican national team, and Yokohama F. Marinos, among others. Their first match will be against Club Peñarol, a Uruguayan team with a strong tradition in inclusive football.
The tournament is divided into two phases: in the first, each team plays three matches—the first determined by a draw, and the next two based on results. Afterward, teams are regrouped by performance level, leading to five different champions. This structure rewards effort and improvement across all participants. Matches will follow a 7-a-side format and will be played in two daily sessions: from 8:00 to 11:20 a.m. and 5:10 to 8:30 p.m.
In addition to the tournament, the team will enjoy various activities during their stay, such as a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and a baseball game at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros.
Organized by The Genuine Foundation and the Torras Lombana Foundation, the Genuine Cup promotes values such as inclusion, dignity, employability, and the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. In just two editions, it has significantly expanded its reach and become a global benchmark for purpose-driven sports.
In a competition where the goal is not to win but to have fun, Athletic Genuine embraces the challenge with enthusiasm—because every match, win or lose, is a victory.
Functional diversity
