In a world where education remains a critical pathway out of poverty, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund emerges as a game-changer.
Launched in early 2025, this ambitious initiative bridges the worlds of sports and social good, aiming to raise over $100 million by the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.
Partnering with Global Citizen, the world’s leading advocacy organization, FIFA is channelling the excitement of the upcoming tournament into tangible support for children’s education and soccer access worldwide.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches—hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—this fund underscores soccer’s power to drive positive change.
Whether you’re a soccer enthusiast, educator, or advocate for global equity, understanding the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund highlights how major sporting events can fuel lasting societal benefits.
With grant applications now open and the first recipients set for early 2026, the momentum is building toward a brighter future for underserved youth.
What is the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund?
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At its core, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is a collaborative effort designed to expand access to quality education, literacy, and football programs for children in over 200 countries.
It builds directly on FIFA’s existing Football for Schools initiative, which integrates soccer into school curricula to promote physical activity, teamwork, and life skills.
The fund targets grassroots organizations that are innovating at the community level, providing one-time grants to support projects in underserved areas. Key focus areas include:
- Educational Equity: Enhancing literacy and school enrollment through soccer-based learning.
- Sports Inclusion: Delivering football equipment, coaching, and facilities to girls and boys alike.
- Holistic Development: Programs that combine academics with sports to foster resilience and opportunity.
By the 2026 World Cup Final, the fund pledges to impact 100,000 children through these efforts, turning the global stage of soccer into a platform for education reform.
This isn’t just philanthropy—it’s a strategic investment in the next generation of leaders, players, and citizens.
Launch Details and Strategic Partnership
The fund was officially unveiled at Global Citizen NOW: New York in early 2025, marking the start of a four-year partnership between FIFA and Global Citizen.
This collaboration leverages Global Citizen’s expertise in advocacy and mobilization, alongside FIFA’s unparalleled reach in sports. The initiative gained further traction during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, where it was first spotlighted to an international audience.
A pivotal moment came on December 5, 2025, at the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Miami. Advisory board members delivered inspiring messages emphasizing education’s transformative role, amplifying the fund’s call to action.
As part of the partnership, Global Citizen will host the tournament’s first-ever half-time show at the 2026 Final, using the event to rally donations and awareness.
This timely launch positions the fund as a cornerstone of FIFA’s social responsibility strategy, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to quality education (SDG 4) and gender equality (SDG 5).
Goals and Expected Impact on Global Education
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund’s primary goal is clear: raise $100 million to fund scalable, community-driven projects that blend education and soccer.
By disbursing all grants within two years of the 2026 World Cup Final, the initiative ensures swift, measurable outcomes.
Anticipated impacts include:
- Reaching 100,000+ Children: Direct beneficiaries through enhanced school programs and sports access.
- Empowering Grassroots Innovators: Support for 150 organizations in the first cycle alone, focusing on regions with high poverty rates.
- Long-Term Legacy: Building sustainable models that outlast the World Cup, inspiring similar efforts in future tournaments.
Early endorsements from global leaders and celebrities underscore the fund’s potential to address education gaps exacerbated by conflicts, climate change, and economic inequality.
In soccer-loving nations from Africa to Latin America, these programs could spark enrollment surges and reduce dropout rates, proving that “the beautiful game” extends far beyond the pitch.
How to Apply FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund
Grant Opportunities for Grassroots Organizations
Exciting news for nonprofits and community groups: applications for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund opened on October 27, 2025, and will close on December 31, 2025. This first cycle targets approximately 150 grantees, each receiving one-year funding to advance children’s education and sports initiatives.
Eligibility criteria emphasize:
- Innovation and Reach: Projects must demonstrate clear benefits for underserved children.
- Sustainability: Emphasis on scalable ideas with potential for long-term community integration.
- Global Scope: Open to organizations worldwide, with priority for those in low-resource settings.
Full application details, including guidelines and submission portal, are available on the Global Citizen website. Successful applicants will be notified in early 2026, with funds disbursed shortly thereafter. Additional funding rounds are planned throughout 2026, ensuring ongoing opportunities.
Recent Highlights and Momentum Building to 2026
The fund’s visibility soared at the 2026 World Cup Final Draw, where emotional testimonials from beneficiaries highlighted real-world stories of change.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Global Citizen co-founder Chris Martin emphasized the synergy between sport and education, urging donors to contribute before the tournament kicks off.
As of December 2025, fundraising efforts are underway, with corporate partners and individual pledges pouring in. Social media campaigns, including Instagram reels tracing the fund’s journey from the Club World Cup to the World Cup, are amplifying its message to millions.
Why the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund Matters Now
In the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup the first 48-team edition spanning three nations—the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund stands as a beacon of hope.
It transforms the spectacle of soccer into a catalyst for equity, reminding us that true victory lies in uplifting the next generation.
If you’re inspired to get involved, visit the official FIFA Global Citizen page to donate, apply for grants, or spread the word. Together, we can score big for education—because every child deserves a fair shot at the game of life.
