Rice University recently served as the host site for the 2025 Genuine World Cup — an international soccer tournament that brings together athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities from around the globe. The event, held last week on Rice’s campus, welcomed more than 800 athletes and coaches representing 38 teams from 22 nations.
But the Genuine Cup is more than a tournament. It’s a platform for advocacy, connection and change.
“We have three pillars: sports as a path of inclusion for the neurodiverse community; employability — showing how successful neurodiverse individuals can be in the workplace; and advocacy, which includes pushing for law and policy changes,” said Bjorn Thomson, the event’s director of sponsorship and fundraising. “What can we do to really move the needle? Soccer is our way to promote our message.”
Organized by the Houston-based Genuine Foundation in partnership with the Torras Lombana Foundation, the event mirrors successful European models like Spain’s LaLiga Genuine, expanding its reach to a wider audience and providing a unique international experience for players and supporters alike.
“At Rice Housing and Dining, we believe in creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed, supported and celebrated,” said Beth Leaver, interim assistant vice president for housing, dining and hospitality. “Hosting the Genuine World Cup reflects that commitment — from greeting teams from around the world to ensuring every athlete is nourished and cared for like family. This is the heart of hospitality: making campus feel like home, one experience at a time.”
“This tournament would just simply not be possible without Rice,” Thomson said. “From the beds, the food, the field and stadium rentals to the staff — they’ve been there for us the whole way.”
Rice’s central location in Houston — one of the nation’s most diverse cities — and its welcoming campus community make it an ideal home for the competition, Thomson said.
“When people come from Croatia or Lithuania, they haven’t seen a campus like this before,” Thomson said. “And it sounds cliché, but the trickle-down effect of kindness and helpfulness from the top at Rice is real. Every person we’ve interacted with has been amazing — even the parking staff helped solve issues with such a great attitude.”
The Genuine Cup is structured to emphasize not only competition but also fairness and celebration. Teams are matched by ability level, ensuring all participants have the chance to play meaningfully and be recognized.
“You’ll have five different winners,” Thomson said. “It’s not about level one, two or three — it’s about ensuring teams compete at similar ability levels, so everyone has something to play for.”
Moments of camaraderie and celebration are central to the spirit of the event. Thomson recalled a moment from last year’s tournament that captured its impact: “We gave a medal to every participant. One of them came up, started bawling and said it was the first time he’d ever received a medal. Moments like that — they just hit you.”
Thomson said the name of the tournament reflects its ethos.
“Club Brugge scored a goal, and players from the other team ran over to celebrate with them. It’s different. It’s very genuine. That’s why we love the name.”
Rice’s support of the Genuine World Cup reinforces its commitment to inclusive excellence, community partnerships and global engagement.
“This is more than a soccer tournament,” said Lorna Ortiz, founder of the Genuine Foundation. “It’s a platform that brings together leaders, athletes, advocates and innovators to reimagine inclusion from every angle and catalyze change.”
Learn more about the tournament at www.genuinecup.org.