On a hot Saturday evening in Passaic County, New Jersey, about 60 kids gathered for soccer practice. These young athletes view the sport as a space for their aspirations and emotions. The training occurs near the FIFA NY/NJ Stadium, a symbol of their big dreams.

Taim Nadin, 13, hails from Qatar and embodies this passion. During a brief water break, he asserted, “Without soccer, life means nothing. Without it, I’d be nothing.” His devotion is shared by many participating in the Palestino Soccer Academy, a club centered around New Jersey’s Palestinian-American community.

Coach Omar Abdulaziz leads the academy, which welcomes children from diverse backgrounds. Established three years ago, it aims to highlight soccer’s role in Palestinian culture and mitigate emotional stress linked to the Gaza conflict. “We could hear their frustrations,” Abdulaziz shared. For him, soccer offers a refuge from reality’s harshness.

The Palestinian national team did not make it to the 2026 World Cup. In Gaza, ongoing violence has crippled sports activity. Officials report that 90% of sports infrastructure is in ruins and many associated with the sport have perished in Israeli attacks.

Despite this, the kids in New Jersey find inspiration in international soccer stars. Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old playing for Spain, is a favorite. Yamal, born to immigrant parents, is admired not only for his skill but also for his stance against anti-Muslim sentiment in Spanish soccer. His act of parading with a Palestinian flag after his club’s championship win holds significance for these boys.

Obaida Al Amleh, 14, resonates with Yamal’s actions. Originally from the West Bank, Obaida draws strength from soccer during tough times. After losing five family friends to an airstrike, he found solace on the field, playing with teammates to process his emotions.

For these young athletes, soccer is more than a game; it’s a means to cope and connect.