UNHCR Exhibition Shows How Football Transforms Refugee Lives

At the heart of the exhibition is a striking mural titled "Uprooted to Unstoppable", created by Canadian sports artist and human rights advocate Carling Jackson.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has opened a new public exhibition at the United Nations headquarters in New York, using football to tell powerful stories of resilience, displacement, and hope. At the heart of the exhibition is a striking mural titled "Uprooted to Unstoppable", created by Canadian sports artist and human rights advocate Carling Jackson. The artwork features UNHCR's symbolic Gamechanging Team, a group of international footballers whose lives have been shaped by forced displacement, either through their own experiences or those of their families. The exhibition is open in the UN Visitors Lobby and coincides with the opening of the World Cup being hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Football Stars Share Stories Beyond the Pitch

The Gamechanging Team is captained by Alphonso Davies, the Canada men's national team captain and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. Davies was born in a refugee camp in Ghana after his parents fled conflict in Liberia before eventually settling in Canada. Joining him are several well-known international players, including Germany defender Antonio Rüdiger, whose parents escaped conflict in Sierra Leone, alongside Asmir Begović, Eduardo Camavinga, Ali Al-Hamadi, Victor Moses, Mohamed Touré, Awer Mabil, Nestory Irankunda, Bernard Kamungo, and Ermedin Demirović. Many of these players are competing in the World Cup, bringing their stories of perseverance to football's biggest stage.

Artwork Highlights Journeys From Conflict to Success

Jackson's mural presents each footballer standing beside their younger self, creating a visual connection between childhood experiences and professional success. Behind the players, scenes of war and conflict serve as a reminder of the difficult circumstances many families faced before finding safety and opportunity. Jackson said the artwork celebrates the potential within every child and reflects journeys shaped by conflict, determination, and the freedom found through sport. The exhibition also includes a short film featuring the Gamechanging Team and information about UNHCR's global Sports for Protection programme.

Sport Creates Opportunities for Displaced Young People

According to UNHCR, more than 117 million people around the world are currently living in situations of forced displacement. Through sports initiatives in refugee communities, the agency helps young people build confidence, develop life skills, strengthen social connections, and find a sense of belonging.

These programmes provide safe spaces where children and young adults can participate in organised activities while receiving support from coaches, mentors, families, and their communities.

UNHCR says the Game-changing Team represents what can happen when displaced young people are given the opportunity to thrive. The players are using their platform to call for greater support, protection, and opportunities for refugee children around the world, showing that talent and potential can flourish when people are given the chance to rebuild their lives.