On May 26, the world of football will come together for the inaugural World Football Giving Day, a shared moment of philanthropy. This initiative is supported by over 100 organizations worldwide, including prominent figures like Jurgen Klopp, Juan Mata, and Vivianne Miedema, as well as partners adidas and Right to Dream.
The goal is to bring people together to participate and donate, particularly in a time of growing global division and ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. World Football Giving Day is powered by Common Goal, an initiative launched by Mata in 2017, where football figures pledge to donate one percent of their salaries, raising millions for global projects. Common Goal's CEO, Mary Connor, aims to involve everyone in this initiative, emphasizing that football can shape the world for positive outcomes, especially for young people and communities. Connor highlights the power of football to unite and inspire, citing examples from around the world where the game has been used to address social issues such as teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS prevention, and gender-based violence.
By launching World Football Giving Day, Connor hopes to create a tradition that grows annually, mobilizing resources and unifying people through their shared love of football. To get involved, individuals can visit the World Football Giving Day website to donate to registered non-profits or find their own way to give back locally or globally.