Players participate in the health program “Man vs Fat Soccer” to lose weight, on May 5, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
The teams are named OB City, Big Bananas, or Heavy Touch FC, and players can score a goal before kick-off if they have lost weight: in Texas, a five-a-side football league allows overweight Americans to forget about their weight and improve their health while having fun.
In Houston, one of the host cities of the 2026 World Cup starting on June 11, Alberto Escalante plays twice a week with his teammates from OB City in the “Man vs Fat Soccer” League. Originally from Great Britain, this sports-based health program has spread to several states in the U.S.
At 28 years old, he joined the team three months ago. A temporary paralysis from a road accident had caused him to gain weight gradually, reaching 168 kg. He has lost 15 kg since playing in this small league of eight teams that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Alberto Escalante admits feeling embarrassed when he first joined OB City. “But now I find it amusing, and I have fun,” he told AFP, proud to wear his team’s red jersey.
His weight loss may not be visible to the naked eye, but he feels the effects on his health. “I am less tired, less restless than before, and it helps me manage my meals,” he explained, recalling his struggles during his first match.
“I couldn’t run for more than two minutes and had to ask to be replaced. And tonight, I will play three matches, three!” he exclaimed.
Obesity is a chronic disease affecting approximately 40% of adults and 20% of children and adolescents in the U.S., according to American health authorities. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, certain cancers, and global public health challenges.
Less weight, more goals
Today is match day. Los Porcinos wear a pink jersey reminiscent of Leo Messi’s Inter Miami FC, the Big Bananas are in yellow as planned, and the players from Heavy Touch FC await their turn on the sidelines.
There is also AFC Thickmond, referencing the English team AFC Richmond coached by Ted Lasso in the TV series of the same name, and MSG, an abbreviation for monosodium glutamate, a common flavor enhancer in cooking.
But before playing each week, everyone must weigh-in. “The more weight the team loses, the more points the team scores,” summarized Zachary Beardsley, the league’s health supervisor.
If a player does not weigh in or participate in the match for any reason, their team is penalized.
“Last week, we were losing 11-0 before the match started,” said Roberto Rodriguez, 28 years old and goalkeeper of the Porcinos, who went from 134 kg to 110 kg thanks to football.
Another player, Cameron Roberts, 36, lost 31 kg and now weighs 116 kg.
According to Zachary Beardsley, the goal of this league is weight loss but also the connection between players.
“By being part of this community, they improve their social life and psychological health,” he said. “They interact, meet outside of matches, and for the past few months, everything revolves around the World Cup, they are all in.”
