Twenty-seven grassroots organisations across 10 countries receive funding to support children in underserved communities
Launched in 2025, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to raise USD 100 million to improve educational and footballing opportunities for children worldwide
Applications now open for next round as global partners and donors scale impact through sport and education
FIFA and Global Citizen today announced the first group of grant recipients from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund . Twenty-seven grassroots organisations across 10 countries have been selected to receive grants ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 250,000, to support their vital work in providing quality education and football programmes for children in underserved communities worldwide.
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to mobilise USD 100 million by the end of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to expand access to education and football for children around the world. To date, the Fund has raised over USD 30 million with contributions from philanthropic foundations, leading brands and corporations, individual donors, and proceeds from ticket sales linked to major music and sporting events, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The first cohort of FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund grantees reflects both the global scale of need and the opportunity for meaningful impact. Collectively, the selected organisations reach thousands of children worldwide, including in regions where fewer than 15 per cent of students complete secondary education and poverty rates exceed 60 per cent. These figures highlight the urgency for targeted investment.
By supporting proven, community-led models that combine education, sport and local engagement, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund seeks to broaden access to learning, improve educational outcomes, and create pathways to opportunity for children in some of the world's most underserved communities.
"Football has the power to unite, inspire and create lasting change, and through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund we are putting that power into action to invest in the future of children around the world," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
"These organisations are doing extraordinary work, often in the most challenging environments, to ensure children have access to education and the life skills that football provides. Together with Global Citizen, we are committed to expanding this impact and helping many more children realise their potential."
The first group of organisations to receive grants from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund includes:
Africa: |
Asia: |
North America: |
South America: |
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Emmanuel Development Association (Ethiopia) |
SDGs Promise Japan (Japan) |
Canada Scores (Canada) |
Instituto Rede Tenis (Brazil) |
Antonio Rudiger Foundation (Sierra Leone) |
Ubuntu FS (Japan) |
Grand River Friendship Society (Canada) |
Fundacion El Origen (Colombia) |
Autisme Rwanda (Rwanda) |
Ignite Durham (Canada) |
Fundacion Karis (Colombia) |
|
Eduplex NPC (South Africa) |
MLSE Foundation Toronto (Canada) |
Fundacion Tiempo de Juego (Colombia) |
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Eland School (South Africa) |
YMCA Mexico (Mexico) |
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Knysna Education Trust (South Africa) |
Beyond Soccer (USA) |
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Skateistan (South Africa) |
Hit the Books (USA) |
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Field of Dreams Academy (USA) |
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Our Bright Future (USA) |
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Scientiae (USA) |
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School on Wheels (USA) |
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SMILE Mass (USA) |
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Spark Wheel (USA) |
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Street Soccer USA |
