FIFA Unveils Global Citizen Education Fund in the Lead-up to 2026 World Cup

With a bid to combine sports and make a social impact, FIFA and Global Citizen have launched FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund during the Global Citizen NOW summit in this country since it aims to raise $100 million by the time of the final game during the 2026 World Cup. Through this initiative, it will focus on less-advantaged children globally because it brings education access and the power of football together with the goal of influencing 100,000 children affected by issues such as poverty and education.

The Fund makes equal investments in both: 50% of the investments are used for improving grass-root education in over 200 countries, and the remaining investments are channeled into FIFA's F4S initiative in partnership with UNESCO. Through this initiative, football acts as an integration tool in education programs with the goal of developing life skills, gender equity, and resilience in communities affected by over 250 million children not attaining a basic education.

The momentum gained speed on December 5 during the Final Draw of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Miami when FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans struck the rallying call. Already, over $30 million have been pledged, including a commitment by FIFA to put in $1 for every ticket sold for major events such as the 2025 Club World Cup. Its stellar advisory board took a leading role in this initiative. Such heavy hitters as The Weeknd, Hugh Jackman, Shakira, Ivanka Trump, and Serena Williams are behind this project.

Now, Grassroots Organizations all over the world can apply for funding in order to start an education and sports project in their local community with a grant from $50,000 to $250,000. The money given in form of donations goes to partners such as Shift4, with other partners including those in brackets.

The boil is elevated further in light of the imminent preparation of the entire world for a historic event in 2026, all across America, Canada, and Mexico. Such a budget puts FIFA not only in a giant in sports capacity but in a position of a change-making organization in the whole wide world. "Football changes lives," announced Infantino.