On May 26, the world of football will unite for a shared moment of giving with the launch of World Football Giving Day. 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 one percent of their salaries, World Football Giving Day seeks to harness the power of collective action to drive 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 involving everyone in this effort, stating that 'football can mirror the world or it can choose to shape it.' By choosing to shape it, Connor believes that football can be a force for positive change, particularly for young people and communities. The story of Connor's time in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, where a simple game of football brought an entire town together, illustrates the power of the game to challenge assumptions and unite people.
Similarly, in Nicaragua, where football has been used to address issues such as teen pregnancy and education, the impact of the game can be seen. As Connor notes, 'when girls play football, they take ownership of their bodies,' and 'when boys see girls playing football, they see them as peers.' With thousands of organizations using football to educate, inspire, and mobilize people to take action on issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention, mental health, and climate action, the potential for World Football Giving Day to drive meaningful change is vast.
This summer, as the world comes together for the World Cup, World Football Giving Day aims to become an annual event, mobilizing resources and unifying people around a shared love of football. To take action, visit the World Football Giving Day website to donate to one of the 100+ registered non-profits or find your own way to give back in your local community or globally.