On May 26, the international football community will come together for the first time to launch World Football Giving Day, a shared moment of giving back. This initiative is supported by over 100 organizations worldwide, including famous football personalities such as Jurgen Klopp, Juan Mata, and Vivianne Miedema, as well as partners like adidas and Right to Dream. The goal 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 Juan Mata in 2017, where football figures pledge to donate one percent of their salaries. Over 500 individuals have taken this pledge, raising millions for projects globally. 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 people, citing her own experiences as a former professional athlete and co-founder of Soccer Without Borders.
She notes that football can challenge assumptions, bring people together, and address social issues such as teen pregnancy rates and gender-based violence. With the launch of World Football Giving Day, the goal is to create an annual tradition that mobilizes resources and unifies the global football community. 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.