Frank Glavin Playground Celebrates National Soccer Day

Young visitors to the Frank Glavin Playground, known locally as A&W, caught the soccer fever sweeping Philly ahead of next year's FIFA World Cup. The international soccer event will bring six games to Philadelphia beginning next June.

On National Soccer Day (Monday, July 28), Philly Soccer 2026 engaged youth fans by providing special soccer-themed swag bags to kids. The group's mission is to introduce the sport to the younger generation in Philadelphia.

"We're expecting 500,000 people to come to our city next year, and the reality is sports fans and soccer fans, especially, come in all shapes and sizes and all walks of life," said Jonathan Todd from Philadelphia Soccer 2026 to FOX 29 News.

Monday's National Soccer Day event proved to be a hit among local kids like Eric McCue, Abraham Sammon, and Haven Taggart, who appreciated receiving their soccer swag gifts.

Melissa Piccoli from Philadelphia Soccer 2026 described the impact of activities like this involving the city's youth. "Oh yeah, I mean, just the smile that this brings to kids ... sports is such a unifier," she stated.