Omar Almashni during an evening practice with the Palestino Soccer Academy at Frank D Zaccaria Memorial Park in Woodland Park, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 6, 2026.José A.
Alvarado Jr.for NPR hide caption PATERSON, NJ– It was a sweltering Saturday evening in Passaic County, in Northern New Jersey, when a team of about 60 kids took to the soccer field, flushed and dripping sweat.
For these young athletes training just a short commute from the FIFA NY/NJ Stadium, the sport is an outlet for big dreams and big emotions."I'm telling you, without soccer the world has no meaning," said Taim Nadin, during a quick water break."Without soccer in life there's nothing.If I didn't play soccer, I'd be nothing, right?" Taim Nadin participates in an evening practice at Frank D Zaccaria Memorial Park in Woodland Park, NJ, on June 6, 2026.
José A.Alvarado Jr.
for NPR hide caption "All I care about is God and soccer," says Taim Nadin.The 13-year-old, originally from Qatar, practices with the club, which serves kids of all backgrounds but is anchored around New Jersey's Palestinian-American community.
José A.Alvarado Jr.
for NPR hide caption It's a heavy sentiment for a 13-year-old, but one shared by many of the players here, who train as Palestino Soccer Academy, a youth club built around Northern New Jersey's large Palestinian-American community.Coach Omar Abdulaziz said the club, which now serves children of all backgrounds, began three years ago as a way to teach about soccer in Palestinian culture and address the impact the conflict in Gaza was having on some of the kids....