Ten tournament was attended by 10 teams from different corners of Ukraine: Chernivtsi, Brody, Ternopil, Chornoguzi, Kharkiv, Novovolynsk, Lubny, Zhovkva, Lviv, and Nizhyn. The event brought together children and teenagers from vulnerable groups, giving them the opportunity not only to showcase their football skills but also to spend several days in a friendly atmosphere of communication, mutual support, and new acquaintances.

With farewell words to the participants, Zoryana Lukavetska, head of the "Education, Formation, and Protection of Children" program at Caritas Ukraine, Irina Pukhnyak, project manager, and Mariian Yaskevych, amateur and mass football department manager from the development department of the technical direction of the UAF, addressed the audience.

The matches took place in two groups with five teams each. The games consisted of two halves of 10 minutes each. Over three days, young football players demonstrated their sportsmanship, determination, teamwork, and desire for victory.

Based on the results of the group stage, Brody and Lubny teams secured a place to compete for bronze medals. In an intense match, the team from Lubny celebrated their victory with a score of 3:2.

In the final match, Zhovkva and Novovolynsk teams faced each other. The main time ended without goals, and the championship was decided by a penalty shootout, in which the players from Zhovkva emerged victorious — 4:3.

Individual awards:

— best goalkeeper — Christina Moisey (Vyzhnytsia);

— best defender — Savelyi Polyanskyy (Novovolynsk);

— best halfback — Pavlo Dymchishin (Zhovkva);

— best forward — Sofia Maltsyeva (Kharkiv);

— tournament's best player — Danylo Korshak (Lubny).

All participating teams received commemorative souvenirs, while the winners were awarded cups and medals of corresponding ranks.

In addition to football matches, a rich cultural and entertainment program was prepared for children: quests, quizzes, master classes, and more. A special event was the end of the tournament around a bonfire, where children had the opportunity to communicate, share their impressions from the games, find new friends, and feel the true atmosphere of unity, support, and team spirit.

An important feature of the tournament was that according to the regulations, each team had to include at least two girls. Such an approach promotes inclusiveness, equal opportunities, and the popularization of football among all children regardless of gender.

The main goal of the tournament was to support children in their desire to engage in sports, develop their skills, and realize their potential through football. In times of war, such events are particularly important as they help children receive positive emotions, new experiences, psychological relief, and belief in their own strength.

The All-Ukrainian Children's Tournament "Caritas Cup-2026" once again proved that football is not only a game but also a powerful tool for unity, support, and the development of Ukraine's young generation.