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Juneteenth Match Day
Juneteenth Match day Advisory Committee
Purpose
The second of six FIFA World Cup 26TM matches taking place in Seattle will feature the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) vs Australia on Juneteenth (June 19th). Having thousands of visitors and hundreds of millions of viewers focused on the USMNT in Seattle on Juneteenth is a unique opportunity to educate the world, inspire our community and the next generation of Black soccer players, and benefit Black businesses and cultural organizations. As the lead organization for planning and coordinating community engagement and legacy for the FIFA World Cup Seattle matches, SeattleFWC26 has a critical role in the region’s responsibility for making the most of this opportunity. SeattleFWC26 assembled the Juneteenth Matchday Advisory Committee (JMAC), which convened beginning in Fall 2024 through June 2026, to advise SeattleFWC26 as we prepare for the moment—and the responsibility—of hosting a match on this day
Committee Members
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Actions
- Collaborated with BlackPast.org for Juneteenth education campaign, using this moment of global focus to educate the world on the history, meaning, and impact of Juneteenth. BlackPast.org is the largest, free, online encyclopedia of Black History. We are honored to have this collaboration to uplift the work of Dr. Quintard Taylor, University of Washington professor and Founder of BlackPast.org who passed away in September of 2025.
- Guided and informed Juneteenth Matchday Design contest, highlighting local Black artists and their work's connection to Juneteenth & the Beautiful Game. You can find our winners here: Juneteenth Design Contest | Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™
- Collaborating with Black Players for Change to amplify our education and inspiration campaign, as well as deliver additional Juneteenth activations for our community and region this summer. All of this is in service to advancing our shared goal of equity in soccer.
- Worked with SeattleFWC26 to ensure Black businesses are highlighted during this moment of global focus through our app, SEA&WIN, in hopes of spreading projected economic benefit.
- Guided development of communications campaign highlighting Black soccer legends past and present, to inspire the next generation of Black soccer players.