Beyond the soccer pitch: Collaborating for a lasting legacy
This spring, six soccer clinics hosted with Aramco Americas reached more than 600 students.
Aramco and local partners team up to expand soccer opportunities for the next generation of players and leaders.
As Houston gears up to host seven matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the city is striving for more than just unforgettable matches. The FIFA World Cup 26 Houston™ Host Committee, alongside Aramco Americas and local partners, is focused on creating a lasting legacy that brings the power of soccer to underserved communities and nurtures future players, both on and off the field.
While the tournament will draw millions of fans across three countries, 16 cities, and 104 matches, Houston’s legacy work is already underway. At the center is a shared belief that when community organizations, civic leaders, and corporate partners align, sport can become a powerful engine for positive impact.
For Aramco Americas, this work builds on a history of community engagement — from partnering to support young runners at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon to STEM education programs — while creating new collaborations with like-minded organizations to turn purpose into action.
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Partnerships that create opportunity
A standout example is Impact Houston 26, a collaboration between the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee and the Sports Authority Foundation. As an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter, Aramco Americas supported the committee’s pillar of growing access to the game of soccer, helping deliver six free soccer clinics this spring for more than 600 students across Houston. Featuring coaching from current and former professional players, these clinics provided many participants with their first exposure to a professional-level youth training experience.
“We’re proud to support the Houston World Cup 2026 Host City and help inspire the next generation,” said Johhny Hanson, acting citizenship supervisor at Aramco Americas. “These clinics can create pathways that extend far beyond the field.”
For local educators, the impact extends well beyond athletics, reinforcing the value of collaboration at the community level.
“Strong local partnerships are essential to unlocking opportunity for young people,” said Elia Martinez, assistant principal at Impact Leadership Academy, an Aldine ISD Choice School that participated in the clinics. "When schools and corporate partners come together, we can create more opportunities that help students grow not just as athletes, but as confident, capable individuals.”
A standout example is Impact Houston 26, a collaboration between the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee and the Sports Authority Foundation. As an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter, Aramco Americas supported the committee’s pillar of growing access to the game of soccer, helping deliver six free soccer clinics this spring for more than 600 students across Houston. Featuring coaching from current and former professional players, these clinics provided many participants with their first exposure to a professional-level youth training experience.
“We’re proud to support the Houston World Cup 2026 Host City and help inspire the next generation,” said Johhny Hanson, acting citizenship supervisor at Aramco Americas. “These clinics can create pathways that extend far beyond the field.”
For local educators, the impact extends well beyond athletics, reinforcing the value of collaboration at the community level.
“Strong local partnerships are essential to unlocking opportunity for young people,” said Elia Martinez, assistant principal at Impact Leadership Academy, an Aldine ISD Choice School that participated in the clinics. "When schools and corporate partners come together, we can create more opportunities that help students grow not just as athletes, but as confident, capable individuals.”
Grow the Game efforts use soccer to help expand access and opportunity.
Expanding access across the region
Under the Grow the Game pillar, the FREEKICKS Soccer program is expanding access to quality facilities by building and renovating 23 soccer fields across six Houston-area parks, including Blue Ridge, George Bush, and Keith-Wiess. Partnerships with local soccer clubs will further extend reach through clinics and $1.5 million in scholarships, benefiting more than 1,200 young athletes.
As a FIFA Major Worldwide Partner and an Official Supporter of Houston’s Host City efforts, Aramco is leveraging its global reach to help fuel local impact, working with local partners to leave a lasting legacy, long after the final whistle.
Under the Grow the Game pillar, the FREEKICKS Soccer program is expanding access to quality facilities by building and renovating 23 soccer fields across six Houston-area parks, including Blue Ridge, George Bush, and Keith-Wiess. Partnerships with local soccer clubs will further extend reach through clinics and $1.5 million in scholarships, benefiting more than 1,200 young athletes.
As a FIFA Major Worldwide Partner and an Official Supporter of Houston’s Host City efforts, Aramco is leveraging its global reach to help fuel local impact, working with local partners to leave a lasting legacy, long after the final whistle.
Students sharpened their soccer skills with guidance from current and former professional players.
