What is 'World Football Giving Day' and why is it important?

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Martin Macdonald | Author

The first World Football Giving Day is set to take place on 26 May.

It will be a day for football fans around the world to share a moment to think about those less fortunate than ourselves and reflect on how the game can be used as a force for good.

The initiative is backed by over 100 organisations around the world including the United Nations, Right to Dream and Adidas and has plenty of well-known ambassadors including Jurgen Klopp, Juan Mata, Vivianne Miedema, Dani Olmo, Irene Paredes, Jessie Fleming and Sofie Junge Pedersen.

It has been launched ahead of the 2026 World Cup and football fans are encouraged to participate or donate, if they have the means.

World Football Giving Day was launched by Common Goal, the initiative started by former Manchester United and Chelsea star Mata who, along with other colleagues around the world, pledged 1% of his salary to less-fortunate communities around the world.

Since the Spaniard started Common Goal, 500 footballers and coaches have joined the pledge.

“Through my work with Common Goal, I’ve seen how collective action can empower communities and channel the passion of the game toward real social impact," Mata said.

"World Football Giving Day builds on that same spirit, creating a moment where the whole football community can unite, not for wins on the pitch, but for the wellbeing of people off it. I am proud to support it.”

Common Goal chief executive Mary Connor told Sky Sports:

"Football can mirror the world or it can choose to shape it. At Common Goal, we call ourselves the home of football for good because we choose the latter. We choose to use it to shape it for positive outcomes, particularly for young people and communities.

"Common Goal really made a splash with athletes taking this action to give back but we know in this moment in the world, there's been a reduction of aid to the tune of millions of dollars. Almost half of non-profits are saying their funding situation is unstable.

"We have to take action and we shouldn't leave that action to only the players. That's what World Football Giving Day is about. Providing a moment when everyone who loves the game, everyone who's engaged in the game, which is billions, can do something.

"There's so much to feel helpless about in the world. But actually, we're not helpless. Like we can take action and we can take action through the love of something that does unite us."

The United Nations' official World Football Day is on May 25 and World Football Giving Day is on May 26 and the idea is that we take one day to celebrate football and the next to try and improve society using the sport's reach and power.

Former Liverpool boss Klopp is one of the main ambassadors. He said:

"World Football Giving Day is a reminder that the game we love can also create opportunity and hope. It’s about showing that football has a heart, and that together we can make a real difference."

The official World Football Giving Day website says of the initiative:

"World Football Giving Day is a shared global moment when the football community comes together to recognise and activate the game’s unique power to connect people, ignite joy and inspire action for the good of our shared humanity.

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"Taking place each year on 26 May, it mobilises football’s reach, culture and collective influence to give back and support initiatives creating positive change in communities around the world."

How do fans get involved?

There are three major ways fans can get involved:

1. Donate to the cause via https://www.worldfootballgivingday.org

2. Find a way to help your local grassroots community on May 26

3. Post pictures of yourself putting your hearts together to make a heart sign and use the hashtag #WeAreIn

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