Street Child World Cup 2026: YFC Rurka Kalan Power India to Stunning Runner-Up Finish in Mexico

India's boys' team, fielded by Youth Football Club Rurka Kalan, finished runners-up at the 5th Street Child World Cup 2026 in Mexico City. The event ran from 5 to 15 May 2026 and featured teams from more than 20 countries.

The Street Child World Cup is run by Street Child United to promote rights, dignity, and inclusion of street-connected children through football, arts, and advocacy. The initiative began before the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and has since grown into an international child rights movement.

The 2026 edition in Mexico City was held with Fútbol Más Mexico. The YFC Rurka Kalan, a Punjab-based grassroots sports organisation, was founded in 2001 and is known to have produced many young prospects. One of the most well-known

faces from the academy has been Anbar Ali, the tall centre-back who also played for India earlier.

Route to the final

On the way to the final, India beat Argentina, Indonesia, Borussia Acnur, Malaysia, Mexico, and Egypt on the way to the title match. India scored 24 goals in the competition before losing 4-2 to Brazil in the final. Although the boys failed to cross the final hurdle, it was a strong result for grassroots football in India, especially in Punjab.

India opened with a 3-1 win over Indonesia, with goals from Jashan, Arshdeep and Sam. A 2-0 win over Argentina followed, through Shamsher and Silas. Against Borussia Acnur, India won 2-0 with goals from Jashan and Sameer.

Big wins over Malaysia and Mexico

India beat Egypt 1-0 in the group stage with a goal from Arshdeep. The team then defeated Malaysia 7-0, with goals by Sameer, Rajan, Raunik, Jashan, who scored twice, Shamsher, and Sam. Against Mexico, India won 6-0 as Raminder scored a hat-trick.

In the semi-final against Egypt, Raminder scored the winner for India. In the final versus Brazil, India lost 4-2, with goals from Shamsher and Jashanpreet. Across eight matches, the Indian boys showed steady attacking displays and shared goals across the squad.

Defensive solidarity led by an energetic goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Akash kept six clean sheets from eight games, and India conceded only one goal before the final. YFC Rurka Kalan has grown from a volunteer football club into a sport-for-development body with education, health, leadership, and community programmes, using football to support young people in Punjab.