Global Citizen and FIFA announced a second cohort of 31 community-based organizations across 18 countries that will receive grants from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, as the fund crossed the $60 million fundraising milestone at a dedicated pledging summit in New York City. The grants — ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 per organization — bring the fund’s total grantee count to 58, with collective reach surpassing 400,000 children worldwide.
The announcements coincided with a summit titled “No Child on the Sidelines,” held days ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final and its first-ever Halftime Show. New funding commitments were announced by the governments of Canada, Portugal, Sierra Leone, and Zambia, as well as by Belgium’s international development agency, Enabel. The United Arab Emirates committed $5 million, while Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Debt & Legacy provided an anchor pledge designated for organizations across the Middle East and North Africa. Fox Corporation contributed $1 million. Additional support came from the Adam Foundation, the FIFA Foundation, the Varkey Foundation, and the Pakistan Football Federation. Venue partners AT&T Stadium and Nissan Stadium, professional services firm Deloitte, and individual donors also contributed, as did the BTS Army fan community, which independently fundraised online following the announcement of BTS’ participation in the World Cup Final Halftime Show.
The fund’s $60 million total has been assembled in just over a year since its launch, drawing from a broad base of sources including philanthropies, corporations, ticket sale proceeds from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026, and touring music acts. Proceeds from The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours Til Dawn’ tour and Usher and Chris Brown’s ‘R&B’ tour — through a Live Nation partnership — are being donated to the fund. Shakira, who recorded the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song ‘Dai Dai,’ is donating her royalties from the track to the fund, with Sony Music matching the first $250,000 raised; she is also contributing $1 from every ticket sold on her upcoming ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ tour. Founding corporate donors include MetLife Foundation and Bank of America — which also serves as the fund’s bank of record — along with Cisco and Sony.
The fund’s advisory board includes Hugh Jackman, Serena Williams, Shakira, Ivanka Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, former soccer star Kaká, The Weeknd, and Bank of America co-president Jim De Mare.
Fifty percent of the funds raised are directed to FIFA’s Football for Schools program, which operates in 155 countries and uses football as a vehicle to deliver life skills education to children worldwide. The remaining half flows to independent community organizations selected through a competitive, multi-stage vetting process administered jointly by Global Citizen and Foundation Source, encompassing eligibility screening, compliance verification, and ongoing monitoring.
The new cohort of grantees spans organizations working across education access, sport-based youth development, anti-trafficking efforts, literacy, disability inclusion, nutrition, and teacher training. Countries represented include Ghana, Spain, Malawi, Brazil, Uganda, France, Sierra Leone, Colombia, Mexico, Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Australia, India, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
FIFA and Global Citizen stated they will continue fundraising efforts, with a goal of reaching $100 million in total commitments, and Global Citizen’s co-founder called on leaders of major football nations — including the presidents of France and Spain — to add their governments’ support.
KEY QUOTE:
“These 31 remarkable grantees are transforming children’s lives in communities around the world, from Brazil to France, the United Kingdom to Nigeria, and beyond. Their work represents the lasting legacy the FIFA World Cup 2026 will leave: expanding access to education and creating opportunities for over 400,000 children worldwide. Now we continue to invite the leaders of big football nations like French President Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez to also support the campaign.”
Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder and Chief Government Relations Officer, Global Citizen
