PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philly’s World Cup-style soccer tournament is back after a year’s hiatus due to COVID-19.
This year will be the fourth Philadelphia International Unity Cup, a tournament Mayor Jim Kenney created to showcase Philadelphia’s international flavor.
At the first Unity Cup in 2016, 32 teams competed. This year, there are 52.
“It’s just absolutely amazing to see how the Unity Cup has grown in the last five years,” said City Representative Sheila Hess, “and it’s a testament to how much Philadelphia absolutely loves soccer.”
Philadelphia’s love for soccer is getting a lot of mileage as the city competes to host the World Cup in 2026. But even the head of that effort, David Cohen, said the sport is only part of its purpose.
“It’s a celebration of our city’s diversity. It’s a chance for our city to come together, to celebrate our differences and to learn from each other,” he said.
The Unity Cup kicks off on Aug. 27 and will be played over several months through the fall.