On May 26, the global football community will come together for the inaugural World Football Giving Day, a shared moment of giving back. This initiative is supported by over 100 organizations and prominent football figures such as Jurgen Klopp, Juan Mata, and Vivianne Miedema, as well as partners like adidas and Right to Dream. The idea behind this day is to bring people together to participate and donate, particularly at 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, with over 500 individuals taking the pledge and raising millions for projects worldwide. Common Goal's CEO, Mary Connor, aims to involve everyone in this effort, emphasizing that football can either reflect the world or shape it for positive outcomes, especially for young people and communities. Connor highlights the power of football to unite people, citing her own experiences as a former professional athlete and her work with Soccer Without Borders. She notes that football can challenge assumptions and bring people together, as seen in her story of playing football in Vietnam, where the whole town came out to watch and join in.
Connor also points to the example of Nicaragua, where organizing girls' football has helped address issues like teen pregnancy and education. With World Football Giving Day, Connor aims to create a moment where the whole football community can unite for the wellbeing of people, not just for wins on the pitch. The goal is for this day to become an annual event, mobilizing resources and unifying people around the world.
To take action, 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.