The game of football brings people together, and the world will unite in Russia later this year for the World Cup. And as the host nation prepares to welcome teams and fans, there's been a push to make the sport more accessible to everyone in Russia, and one charity is teaching football to children with Down syndrome. Jessica King tells us more from Moscow.

Russia has recently stepped up its efforts to get more children with Down's syndrome playing football. There are still misconceptions about the nature of the disability, and young people can often encounter prejudice or unfriendliness. Families at this sports center in Moscow, say football training has given their children new skills and confidence.

LILIYA PAVLENKO PARENT "Pasha was always shy, but when he started doing football - it's new friends, new acquaintances, new coaches and new people. He's learning how to communicate, he's learning to play in a team."

OLGA REPINA PARENT "We started doing football as soon as this group for children with Down syndrome was started. It's very important for our family because our son is taking part in a team sport, he likes it a lot, he's developing."

The charity 'Downside Up' runs these schemes across Russia. Now their projects have been included in FIFA's Football for Hope program. The aim is to help improve the lives of young people through sport. Head Coach says the results speak for themselves.

ALEKSANDER MAKHOV SENIOR COACH "The country's making a lot of effort to develop sports for disabled people, and we want Down syndrome footballers to be part of this story. We realize perfectly well that not all of them will become athletes or champions, but sports activities, team activities, do shape personality, and we've got results. The parents are giving us feedback we don't alway expect, saying that kids have gotten more disciplined, more cooperative, that they're having a different type of relationship at home. That's the key goal of these classes.

He believes working with 'Downside Up' is not only a step forward for these children, but for the whole country.

JESSICA KING MOSCOW "There have been accusations in the past that Russia is a hostile place for people with disabilities. Football training specifically for children with Down's syndrome is relatively new. But the momentum is growing, and as the countdown begins to the biggest football tournament in the world, there are hopes that football can break down barriers, raise awareness and create a more positive image of people with Down syndrome in Russian society. Jessica King, CGTN, Moscow."