FIFA, Global Citizen award first education fund grants to 27 grassroots groups worldwide

Global Citizen and FIFA have announced the first recipients of grants from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, awarding 27 grassroots organisations across 10 countries to expand access to education and sport for children in underserved communities.

The selected organisations will receive grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 to support programmes that combine education, football and community development.

The fund, launched to raise $100 million by the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has already secured more than $30 million from philanthropies, corporate donors, individual contributions and proceeds from major sporting and music events.

According to Global Citizen, the first cohort includes organisations working in countries where fewer than 15 per cent of children complete secondary school and poverty rates exceed 60 per cent.

Among the beneficiaries are the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation in Sierra Leone, Autisme Rwanda, Beyond Soccer, Fundación Tiempo de Juego, Skateistan, and YMCA Mexico.

Applications have also opened for the second round of grants, with eligible organisations invited to apply for funding of up to $250,000 through Global Citizen.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said football has the power to unite and create lasting change, adding that the initiative would help more children gain access to education and life skills.

Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans said education is “life-changing and life-saving” for children growing up in extreme poverty and noted that the fund would help break cycles of poverty in vulnerable communities.

Founding donors to the fund include MetLife Foundation and Bank of America, with additional support from Cisco and proceeds from concerts by The Weeknd, Usher and Chris Brown.

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