World Cup Soccer: Game-Based Learning for Multilingual Student Success

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup, soccer offers a unique opportunity to engage and inspire multilingual learners in physical education. This interactive session focuses on game-based learning for K-12 students, blending technical soccer skill development with research-based language acquisition strategies. Attendees will explore how to design small-sided games that integrate tools such as the Flayer model for skill progression, vocabulary card routines to reinforce key terms, and peer language partnerships to encourage communication. Activities will also incorporate visual supports, simplified instruction, and opportunities for translanguaging to connect students’ home languages to gameplay. Grounded in physical literacy and culturally responsive teaching, the session models inclusive practices that increase participation, foster collaboration, and build confidence for learners of all language backgrounds. Participants will actively engage in adapted soccer activities and leave with ready to use templates, modifications for varied proficiency levels, and routines that make soccer accessible, inclusive, and exciting for all.