More than 35,000 participants from 45 countries competed in 350 football events between 20 and 28 May to mark the 23rd edition of the Special Olympics European Football Week #EFW2023.

It is the time of year to recognize and promote athletes with intellectual disabilities on to the grassroots pitches to play the Beautiful Game.

Its call for all National Football Association and Football Clubs to support @SpecialOlympics football players and tag and #EFW2023 follow #EFW2023 on social media.

Every year, hundreds of clubs from European Leagues—from Italian Serie A and Serie B , German Bundesliga or Polish Ekstraklasa throw their support behind European Football Week.

UEFA Respect has been our partner for European Football Week for 23 years! Together with UEFA members associations and hundreds football clubs, we have organised more than 7,600 grassroots football activities. Each of these local, national or international event has played its part in positively changing attitudes towards players with intellectual disabilities and expanding inclusive football opportunities for all across Europe.

Learn more about the about UEFA’s social responsibility activities. For information about UEFA resources please contact Miroslaw Krogulec or Silvia Cassina.


EFW began back in 2000 with 15 countries taking part. Although we have now grown to 56 countries, the objective remains the same: players of all the abilities getting the opportunity to take part and demonstrate their skills and talents at grassroots level.