WELCOME TO THE FCC INTERNATIONAL FORUM 2026
Advancing Mental Health
Through the Power of Play
October 16, 2026 | Florida International University | Miami, FL
Advancing Mental Health Through the Power of Play
FCC Fútbol Con Corazón uses soccer to prevent and solve the world's problems.
FCC’s International Forum 2026 convenes local and global leaders to explore how play and sport can strengthen youth mental health, build resilient communities, and scale evidence-based solutions with lasting impact.
Featured Voices
Speakers
Christi Fraga
Mayor, City of Doral
Champion for Youth & Sports
Dr. Gordon Chen
Chief Executive Officer
BLU by Thrivewell
Mary Connor
Chief Executive Officer
Common Goal
Dr. Sara Rivero-Conil
Associate Director of Clinical Psychology
Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Rafael Villalobos
Superintendent
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Joan Marie Godoy
Co Founder & Executive Director
Radical Partners
Dr. Katie Hart, Ph.D.
Director & Associate Professor of Psychology
FIU Center for Children and Families
Bruno Costa
Director of International Offices
Brazilian Football Confederation
Dr. Jeremy Pettit
Executive Director
FIU Center for Children and Families
Jim Haj
President & CEO
The Children’s Trust
Tony Cherchi
Master of Ceremonies
International Sportscaster
Ana Maria Rodriguez
Florida State Senator
District 40
Gamil Sharkieh
Director Of The Arab Education Department
Jerusalem Municipality
Dr. Gregory Fabiano
Associate Director Of Clinical Training
FIU Center for Children and Families
Dra. Ali Giusto
Assistant Professor
FIU Center for Children and Families
MENTAL & EMOTIONAL
WELL-BEING
Strengthening resilience,
confidence, emotional
regulation, and healthy
relationships through the
power of play.
LIFE SKILLS
THROUGH SPORT
Developing leadership, teamwork, communication, resilience, and decision-making through football.
Themes
Exploring how play and sport can strengthen mental health, develop life skills, and create lasting community impact.
COMMUNITY IMPACT &
SOCIAL COHESION
Creating safer, more inclusive communities where children and youth can learn, belong and thrive.
SCALING
SUSTAINABLE IMPACT
Connecting partners and organizations to expand proven models and maximize long-term impact.
Forum
Objectives
Our goals for this forum are designed to inspire action, drive collaboration, and create lasting impact for children and youth worldwide.
Advance the conversation on youth mental health through play.
Showcase evidence-based sport-for-development models.
Connect leaders across different sectors.
Generate partnerships that scale impact.
Advancing Mental Health Through the Power of Play
Resilience - Sense of purpose - Belonging
Advancing Mental Health Through the Power of Play
In 2026, the Forum enters a new chapter as it hosts its first U.S. edition at Florida International University, bringing together global voices around one critical mission: Advancing Mental Health Through the Power of Play.
BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION
Join leaders, experts, and changemakers advancing mental health through the power of play.
Sponsorship
Opportunities
Join leaders, innovators and changemakers advancing mental health
through the power of play.
