Mundialido – International Amateur Football Tournament for Foreigners (Festival of Peoples)

Mundialido: the World Cup of Rome's communities

Established in the late 1990s, Mundialido is much more than just a football tournament: it is the capital's Festival of Peoples, an event that gathers foreign communities living in Rome and the Lazio region every spring. Organized by Club Italia with the patronage of ASI (Italian Sports and Social Associations) and led by its historic founder Eugenio Marchina, the event takes place at the Renato Fiorentini Sports Field, in the La Rustica district, within Rome's Municipality V.

Twenty-four teams, one common language

At the heart of the event are the twenty-four teams representing as many nations and migrant communities residing in Italy. Africa United, Albania, Bangladesh, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Gambia, Great Britain, Guinea, Honduras, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Moldova, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Ukraine: these are the flags that take to the pitch for over fifty matches, guiding the audience from the opening days through to the finals. It is not just about the result: the format celebrates the stories, identities, and talents that find common ground through football.

The parade and the spirit of the festival

The opening ceremony is the most evocative moment: delegations parade in traditional costumes, accompanied by flags, national anthems, and folk music, in a procession that turns the pitch into a miniature map of the world. The matches, defined by fair play and social connection, offer families and fans a chance to gather, share traditional dishes, and experience the event as a true neighborhood festival open to everyone.

A project for integration

For nearly thirty years, Mundialido has been a recognized tool for cultural mediation in Rome: it puts communities and the local area at the center, promotes dialogue and inclusion, and uses sport as a bridge between diverse peoples. Awards like the fair play prize and the focus on participation remind us that beyond the trophy, the goal is coexistence. A model born in the suburbs that has become one of the defining identity events for Municipality V and the entire city.

• Where: Renato Fiorentini Sports Field, Via Galatea 48, La Rustica (Municipality V), Rome
• When: Between May and June, starting in late May with finals in late June
• Who: 24 teams from foreign communities residing in Italy
• How: Inaugural parade in traditional costumes, group stages, and knockout finals