May 1 – FIFA and Global Citizen have launched the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a four-year initiative blending philanthropy and fan engagement that aims to raise $100 million to support children’s education through football.
Unveiled at the Global Citizen NOW summit in New York, the fund will channel donations towards grassroots education programmes in over 200 countries, with half earmarked for FIFA’s own Football for Schools initiative, developed with UNESCO. The rest will be granted to education-focused organisations working to improve learning outcomes and access for children globally.
The project leans on football’s reach and its fans’ wallets, with $1 from each ticket sold for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. set to go directly to the fund.
Beyond football, entertainment events and artists like The Weeknd are expected to contribute, broadening the campaign’s cultural appeal.
Shift4, the payment tech firm behind the initiative’s backend, is enabling point-of-sale donations via its extensive network across North America as part of a commercial-led play to bring everyday consumer activity into the mix, positioning the fund as an ongoing revenue stream rather than a one-off appeal.
While some may view this as FIFA leaning into cause-marketing – and the optics of social good – it’s also a practical framework for getting football’s vast audience base involved in something with real-world impact.
Speaking on stage at Global Citizen NOW, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, said: “Last summer, I joined the Global Citizen Festival to announce a major partnership between FIFA and Global Citizen, and to reveal the cities that will host the first FIFA Club World Cup to be held in the US. Today, we are announcing the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a new initiative to raise money from philanthropies, businesses and the public to support global learning.
“I’m pleased to announce that one dollar from every ticket sold to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will go to the fund. Football unites the world, and over the coming years we will harness that unity to improve education for millions of children globally.”
Hugh Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Global Citizen, concurred: “The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund represents a bold step towards a world where every child, no matter where they’re born, has access to education and opportunity.
“By harnessing the transformative power of football and music, we are going to raise $100 million. Together with our incredible partners FIFA, we’re investing in a better world where every child has the chance to thrive.”
“Shift4 is proud to support the Education Fund to power a new era of impact and purpose through payments,” Michael Isaacman, Chief Commercial Officer of Shift4, followed up.
“By leveraging our extensive client network — from stadiums and restaurants to hotels and retail — we’re enabling our partners to activate real change with fundraising at the point of sale. We are turning everyday transactions into a force for good and global education equity.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1746120607labto1746120607ofdlr1746120607owedi1746120607sni@g1746120607niwe.1746120607yrrah1746120607