‘World Cup of Food’ soccer games slated for Clatsop County

‘World Cup of Food’ soccer games slated for Clatsop County

Published 6:56 pm Monday, April 13, 2026

Dan Gaffney issued a proposal to soccer leaders around the county in January. He had once participated in a three-on-three soccer tournament fundraiser “in a land far away” called the “World Cup of Food.”

His idea? To bring a similar event to Clatsop County to support Clatsop Community Action’s food distribution services. Gaffney, a CCA volunteer and the main organizer for the event, said he hopes it becomes an annual community event.

“People of Clatsop County have a history of stepping up when the need arises,” Gaffney wrote in his proposal. “The need for food by a significant number of people in our communities is growing quickly. Unfortunately, the supply of food is not keeping pace with the need.”

Gaffney has seen the decline in food supply first-hand as a volunteer at the Clatsop County Regional Food Bank, which is run by CCA. According to Gaffney, CCA provides services to 35% of Clatsop County residents.

The first Clatsop County World Cup of Food is slated for May 16. People have until April 15 to register a team of five or six players at CCAServices.org. Registration costs $150 per team, $100 of which Gaffney said he hopes to donate to CCA. “Our expenses are being kept as low as possible,” he said.

Gaffney also said attendees are welcome to bring non-perishable food to donate to CCA, which will have a truck at the field.

Gaffney said he could not organize this event on his own. “I have about 15 people who have contributed to planning the event. They include leaders of Lower Columbia Youth Soccer Association, the men’s and women’s leagues, high school coaches and staff of Clatsop Community Action.

Morgan Rubanow, a lifelong soccer player, has helped to spread the word across what she said is a large local soccer community and beyond. “I was excited to get involved in an event that is related to a sport that I am passionate about and to utilize the game of soccer to raise funds for our local community,” she said.

Although registration has been slow so far, Gaffney said he expects “a lot to happen by April 15. A number of high school coaches are encouraging players to sign up.” As of Thursday, April 9, Gaffney reported there were teams registered for the middle school, ages 19-30 and 31 and above brackets.

“Likely brackets will be by grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and ages 19-30 and 31 and above,” said Gaffney. “Separate brackets will be set up for males and females. If there is enough interest, a coed bracket will be set up for ages 19 and above.”

Gaffney said each team will play three to five 45-minute games and receive T-shirts to serve as jerseys. At the Warrenton Soccer Field Complex, there will be up to nine fields, 20 by 30 yards, going at a time. There will be no goal keepers, and substitutions will be “on the fly.”

Rubanow said that everyone is welcome, regardless of their soccer experience. “If you haven’t played soccer before, that shouldn’t hold you back,” she said. “It’s going to be a lowkey day.”