History of LIFC
To impact families and change lives, Lincoln International FC was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2021 to ensure underserved youth get access to our diverse programs and services. Our circle of support is an open door for refugees and immigrants from across the world to have access to find opportunities in sports, arts and mentoring programs that serves youth in Lincoln, Nebraska and other areas that they may not have otherwise. Lincoln International FC was founded by Hasan Khalil who came to the United States as a Yezidi refugee from Syria in 1999 fleeing from war, religious prosecution and genocide. Khalil was first introduced to soccer in the refugee camp where he spent most of his childhood; the 1994 was avidly watched on the camp’s single television and the children played constantly. Khalil continued playing soccer after moving to United States first in Buffalo New York as a high-schooler then in Lincoln Nebraska as an adult. Having established himself in Lincoln as a successful entrepreneur, Khalil now strives to use the power of sport to create community, purpose and hope for young people, as it did for him. “There’s always hope. When I think about those kids in the refugee camps who are struggling, I always feel like I want to give them my voice, tell them that there’s hope.There’s always a door that’s going to open up; inspire them to never give up and there’s always hope, you know?
