Access+ & Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup
When games help connect beyond sports.
From July 5th to July 11th, the Special Olympics hosted the Unified Football World Cup in Paris, bringing together athletes from around the world with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same teams.
Asmodee was proud to take part in this event by hosting a game night for the athletes. Around the tables, we saw the same values that guide Access+ every day – inclusion, respect, and connection – come to life through play.
Sport and games, the same spirit of inclusion
Games and sports have one essential thing in common: they bring people together. Whether on a football pitch or around a tabletop game, the goal is the same: to create moments where everyone can participate, contribute, and feel part of a group.
During the game night, athletes discovered titles such as Dobble (Spot it), Deblok, and Jungle Speed: fast-paced, visual, and easy-to-grasp games that require little verbal explanation and rely on observation, reaction, and interaction. These games created instant connections, laughter, and friendly competition, in a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.
Games as tools for connection
This evening was a concrete illustration of what asmodee Access+ advocates: games are not only about entertainment; they are tools for social connection and inclusion.
Around the tables, language barriers faded, and players connected through gestures, expressions, and shared focus. The dynamics were similar to what happens on the pitch: watching, reacting, cooperating, and celebrating together.
For many athletes, this was an opportunity to unwind after the competition, meet others in a different setting, and experience the joy of play in a welcoming environment. For our team, it was a powerful reminder of why we do this work: to make sure that everyone, regardless of their profile or abilities, can find their place at the table.
A universal language
Our involvement in the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup reflects the ambition of asmodee Access+: to connect sport, play, and inclusion, and to show that games can extend the spirit of unified sport beyond the field.
Whether through football or board games, the message is the same: inclusion starts when we create spaces where everyone can participate, connect, and enjoy together. Because whether you’re playing games or sports, it’s all about connection. And that’s universal.
