On May 26, the world of football will come together for the inaugural World Football Giving Day, a shared moment of charitable giving. This initiative, backed by over 100 organizations and supported by prominent football figures such as Jurgen Klopp, Juan Mata, and Vivianne Miedema, aims to bring people together to participate and donate. Powered by Common Goal, a movement launched by Mata in 2017 where football figures pledge to donate 1% of their salaries, World Football Giving Day seeks to harness the collective power of the football community to drive positive social impact.
With the support of partners like adidas and Right to Dream, this initiative has the potential to make a significant difference. Common Goal's CEO, Mary Connor, emphasizes the importance of collective action, stating that 'football can mirror the world or it can choose to shape it.' She believes that World Football Giving Day can be a catalyst for change, providing a moment when everyone who loves the game can come together to give back.
Connor's own experiences as a former professional athlete and co-founder of Soccer Without Borders have shown her the power of football to unite people across cultures and backgrounds. From her time in Vietnam, where a simple game of football brought a whole town together, to the example of Nicaragua, where girls' football has been used to address teen pregnancy rates and promote gender equality, Connor has seen firsthand the impact that football can have. With World Football Giving Day, she hopes to inspire a global movement, one that will mobilize resources and unify people around the world. To get involved, visit the World Football Giving Day website and donate to one of the 100+ registered non-profits or find your own way to give back in your local community or globally.