Palestinian-American kids find inspiration, and escape, on the soccer pitch

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 toggle caption José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR 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 toggle caption José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR "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 toggle caption José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR 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. …