June 1, 2026
Houston FCA and local partners launch Winning Houston to reach thousands with Gospel outreach during upcoming World Cup
Rick Isaiah, FCA Chief Field Officer: ‘Winning Houston is not just about what happens during the World Cup — it’s about what continues after it’
HOUSTON — The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the largest tournament in the event’s history, with matches taking place June 11–July 19 across three countries and 48 teams competing in 104 matches throughout North America. The tournament will bring the world’s most popular sporting event to 16 host cities, including Houston, Texas, where seven matches are expected to draw more than 500,000 visitors.
For Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), the world’s premier Christian athletic organization, the games offer a once-in-a-generation opportunity for service, connection and ministry among a global gathering of sports fans.
Shane Williamson, FCA President and CEO, stated, “Sports have a unique way of bringing people together, and the World Cup gives us a remarkable opportunity to see that play out in Houston.”
Houston FCA and local ministry partners are meeting the moment by launching Winning Houston, a citywide initiative connected to Cru’s national Victory Beyond the Cup movement, which helps churches across the country use the World Cup for hospitality, spiritual conversations and Gospel-centered outreach. Winning Houston is bringing together local Christian foundations, churches, parachurch organizations and ministry partners to serve neighborhoods, create connection points and empower local communities to engage the global moment.
At the center of Winning Houston are seven Soccer Fest events, each corresponding with one of Houston’s World Cup matches and hosted in communities around the city to form a circle of outreach. Each Soccer Fest will include a free two-hour soccer camp led by local high school coaches, followed by an awards ceremony and a Fields of Faith-style Gospel presentation. The events will also feature Fan Fest, with food trucks, pop-up vendors, inflatables, games and worship, while evangelism teams share the Gospel throughout the day. FCA, Victory Beyond the Cup and local churches will also host watch parties and provide follow-up engagement.
Winning Houston will also feature a Guinness World Record attempt to build the world’s largest soccer net on Christian school property. Designed to symbolize the vastness of God’s love, the net will serve as a highly visible gathering place during the tournament. Because the site is expected to be included in official City of Houston tours, Portuguese-speaking congregations are also preparing to connect with Brazilian fans and other international visitors drawn to the event.
And while the initiative is built around the World Cup, Rick Isaiah, FCA Chief Field Officer, said, “Winning Houston is not just about what happens during the World Cup — it’s about what continues after it. We’re planting seeds of faith and community that will grow into lasting youth soccer leagues, church partnerships and ongoing opportunities to reach the next generation for Christ.”
Organizers anticipate the Soccer Fest events will launch ongoing youth soccer leagues, strengthen partnerships with Christian soccer clubs and create new ministry opportunities. They also plan to provide resources to help churches start and sustain youth soccer leagues in their communities.
Ultimately, the initiative reflects the breadth of FCA’s ministry beyond a single sport, campus or Huddle.
“Winning Houston shows how FCA can help connect coaches, athletes, churches and communities around a shared mission,” Isaiah said. “Our prayer is that these events become a starting point for ongoing leagues, stronger ministry partnerships and new opportunities to reach young athletes across Houston during the tournament and for years to come.”
Event details and the prayer-tracking app are available at winninghouston.blog.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ vision is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Its mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. FCA’s guiding values are integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence.
Since 1954, FCA has used the powerful medium of sports and building relationships to reach the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is cultivating Christian principles by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ and lead others to do the same so that lives are changed for current and future generations.
Visit Fellowship of Christian Athletes at fca.org and on Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly Twitter).
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To interview a Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, or Jeff Tolson, ext. 108.
