On May 26, the football world will come together for the first time to launch World Football Giving Day, an initiative backed by over 100 organizations and supported by renowned football personalities such as Jurgen Klopp, Juan Mata, and Vivianne Miedema, as well as partners like adidas and Right to Dream. The idea behind this initiative, especially in a time of growing global division and ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is to bring people together to participate and donate.
It 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 having taken the pledge and raised millions for projects worldwide. According to Common Goal's CEO, Mary Connor, 'Football can mirror the world or it can choose to shape it. At Common Goal, we choose the latter, using it to shape positive outcomes, especially for young people and communities.' Connor emphasizes the need for collective action, given the reduction in aid and unstable funding situations of many non-profits. World Football Giving Day aims to provide a moment for everyone who loves the game to take action, whether by donating to one of the 100+ registered non-profits or finding their own way to give back locally or globally.
The goal is for this to become an annual tradition, mobilizing resources where they are most needed and unifying the football community in the process. Connor, a former professional athlete and co-founder of Soccer Without Borders, understands the power of football to bring people together and challenge assumptions. She shares stories of how football has connected people across different cultures and backgrounds, from Vietnam to Nicaragua, and how it has been used to address social issues such as teen pregnancy and gender-based violence. As the world feels more divided than ever, Connor believes that football can be a unifying force, reminding us that above language, culture, and skin color, we are people with something in common.
With the launch of World Football Giving Day, the hope is to start a tradition that will grow year on year, mobilizing resources and unifying the football community in giving back.