Participa­tion on the big stage

USA – it's common knowledge that everything here is a bit bigger: The streets, the shops, the stadiums – and also the moments sometimes. For the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Inklusionswerkself (our team for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities) participation in the Genuine World Cup 2025 in Huston was more than just a big tournament. It was an experience that left its mark – from a sporting, human and international perspective.

Genuine World Cup - an inclusive tournament concept

40 teams from 23 nations came together in Texas in the last week in July to send out a strong signal for integration and community. A signal that transcends borders, languages and differences. The Genuine World Cup takes a unique approach: The pairings are remixed after every game, winners play stronger teams, losers take on comparable opponents. That gives all teams a realistic chance of success – regardless of performance level. An approach that makes genuine inclusion in competition possible.

And in the thick of it: the Bayer 04 Inklusionswerkself. They showed sporting ambition, lots of courage and a team spirit that is representative of the power of inclusive football.

Monday: First NASA then home runs

And sights were set high to start with: The Inklusionswerkself visited the Space Center Houston. The tournament participants had a special conversational partner in the shape of 57-year-old USA astronaut Toni Antonelli.

"When you look down on this wonderful planet Earth from above then you ask yourself: Why are there so many conflicts? You can be rivals on the pitch but you are neighbours again after the final whistle. Be friendly. Be respectful. And then things will be good with our planet Earth. It is by far the most beautiful planet we have discovered to date."

The participants were clearly moved by this inspiring visit in addition to impressive pictures with the Saturn V rocket and the recognition of being part of something bigger.

From astronauts to the Houston Astros: In the evening, the Werkself went to see the clash between the local baseball team and the Washington Nationals. For most it was the first visit to a baseball stadium, home runs, fan culture and American sporting tradition – a real experience for the young football players from Leverkusen.

Tuesday: Match action

Tuesday was about sport. The Inklusionswerkself gave their all in the first match against Yokohama F. Marinos but had to settle for defeat in the end. There was a long way to go in the tournament And the learning curve was steep.

Wednesday: The breakthrough

The first victory followed on Wednesday morning: The match against Athletic Bilbao from Spain ended in a convincing 4-1 win. The team clearly grew together and gained confidence minute by minute. Especially impressive was that all five goals were equally celebrated by the two teams. Fair play in action. That certainly made an impression.

The second win came in the afternoon, also against the Spanish team. Another strong team performance produced a deserved 3-2 victory against Nàstic de Tarragona.

The support team took part in workshops and talks in the afternoon where the international clubs involved exchanged information about how inclusion works in practice worldwide. Inspirational networking.

Thursday: Comeback of the tournament

The team were 3-0 down at half-time against Club América from Mexico. Then there was a storybook turnaround: The Werkself turned the game around in the second half to seal a 4-3 victory – Laterkusen inclusive!

That was followed in the afternoon by a narrow 2-0 defeat to Valencia from Spain with the Werkself again displaying composure and unshakeable solidarity.

 

Special moments of the trip: Support with sense of proportion

The Inklusionswerkself brings together players with different needs. Some need support with reading, speaking or comprehension and others rely on regularly taking required medicines or have physical limitations. A new country, foreign language, unusual procedures – a trip like this is an enormous challenge for many.

The Bayer 04 coaching staff are specially trained and provide reliable and constant support with empathy and structure. At the same time, space is consciously given to promote independence. Team members should accept responsibility, master new situations, find their own ways. That makes the trip special and enables everybody to surpass themselves.

Coach Albers: "A formative lesson in life!"

It is this mix of support and space that makes the Inklusionswerkself stand out as head coach Niclas Albers understands too: "It's hard to find the words to say how proud we can be of these young adults. Every day they master challenges that many would underestimate: a new country, a strange environment – plus the intensive physical workload with several games on big pitches. All of them grew into it. Orientation, independence, consideration, responsibility – all are strengthened here. Friendships are created beyond borders, often without a common language. This tournament is not just about football – it is a formative lesson in life!"

Team manager Elli Garcia also had a positive assessment of participation in the Genuine World Cup 2025: "There was outstanding organisation, a great tournament and teams from all over the world. Inclusion brings visibility – and this event has achieved that. We want to continue on this path at Bayer 04 and create access to our club and to the sport, which some people may not be able to discover for themselves otherwise. Everybody loves football, regardless of how different they are. Because football is there for everybody."

Visit from German ambassador

Word of the significance of the inclusive tournament definitely got about in the highest diplomatic circles: Kai Henning, general consul at the German embassy in Texas, provided another special moment for the team with his visit. The Inklusionswerkself presented him with the Bayer 04 home shirt and Henning in turn presented the team with exclusive pin badges.

In his charming address, he not only impressed with the fact that the state of Texas is twice as large as Germany. And as a new Werkself fan, Henning supported the team later on in the final match.

 

Friday: Final at the Rice Stadium

The last day of the tournament took the team to the tradition-rich Rice Stadium A genuine football stadium with a capacity of 50,000. In extreme temperatures of over 35 degrees, the Werkself again produced an impressive sporting performance that crowned the tournament. The match for eleventh place in 40 teams against Kautech LT from Lithuania did end in defeat but there was a brilliant atmosphere after the final whistle.

The team then supported the other final participants from the stands, which included teams from Barcelona, Manchester United, Inter Miami and the Argentina national team – true community right to the end.

Awards ceremony, Energy Award & active recognition

The inclusive awards ceremony not only honoured sporting positions in a special way but also attitude and fair play. The Energy Award, voted by all teams, went to Athletic Bilbao – for fairness, positivity and intercultural openness. The rapturous applause was fully deserved. There was an emotional highlight to finish with a violin concert under candlelight around the Rice Stadium. A moment of peace that many will remember forever.

Journey home & new friendships

The return journey to Europe was made together with Athletic Bilbao and Inter Milan. Great to observe: Over fifty people, including many with limitations, flew back to Frankfurt together – with lots of conversations, new friendships and lasting connections.

The partition of the Inklusionswerkself at the Genuine World Cup 2025 was an international adventure – with emotion, team spirit, setbacks and great moments. A journey never to be forgotten. And a strong signal for football that brings people together. Beyond borders. For everybody.