Football’s global power met the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) this week, as leaders from both worlds gathered in New York ahead of World Football Day (25 May).
The Football for the Goals Forum brought together UN officials and football industry leaders for its inaugural event: “Champions for Change: Football and the UN Unite for the SDGs.”
The UN has long recognized sport’s role in advancing global goals—from peace and gender equality to health and climate action. A 2022 UN General Assembly resolution officially affirmed this connection.
With billions of fans worldwide, football is uniquely positioned to drive progress. The Football for the Goals initiative, launched in July 2022, engages the sport’s community in advocating for the SDGs. Wednesday’s forum aimed to turn awareness into action.
Kickoff: Football’s Role in Global Change
After opening remarks from UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, UN communications chief Melissa Fleming, and Qatar’s UN representative, the first panel—”Bolstering Community Engagement with the SDGs”—explored how football can deepen its impact.
Discussions then turned to climate sustainability in football, followed by deeper conversations on how the sport both reflects and can help solve global inequalities.
Bridging the North-South Divide
Júlia Pimenta (Street Child United) highlighted a stark imbalance: Grassroots football programs in the Global South—serving the children who need them most—often lack funding, while wealthier regions dominate resources.
Sarah Van Vooren (Atoot, Nepal) echoed this, noting that small organizations linking football to development struggle to scale up—even though their work provides safe spaces, education, and hope for vulnerable youth.
Panelists agreed: Investing in these programs is critical to achieving SDGs on education and inequality.
Fighting for Gender Equality
Jayathma Wickramanayake (UN Women) warned that progress on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) is stalling—or even reversing—due to deep-rooted stereotypes.
In football, this shows up in pay gaps, harassment, and fewer opportunities for women. But the panel stressed that sport can break barriers, empowering girls on the pitch and beyond.
The Way Forward
As World Football Day approaches, the message is clear: Football isn’t just a game—it’s a force for global good. By tackling inequality, supporting grassroots movements, and pushing for sustainability, the sport can help build a fairer, healthier future.
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