In partnership with Global Citizen, FIFA has launched the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. This four-year initiative aims to raise $100 million to support children’s education worldwide through football.
The announcement was made at Wednesday’s Global Citizen NOW summit in New York. The fund will support grassroots education programmes in over 200 countries, with 50 per cent of the funds going to FIFA’s Football for Schools programme, developed with UNESCO. The other half will be directed to education-focused organisations working to improve learning access and outcomes for children globally.
The initiative plans to raise money through football and entertainment. One dollar from every ticket sold for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. will be contributed directly to the fund. Big names in music and entertainment, like The Weeknd, are also expected to support the campaign.
Shift4, a payment technology company backing the project, will enable donations at point-of-sale locations such as stadiums, restaurants, hotels, and retail stores across North America. This will allow fans and customers to contribute through everyday transactions, creating a consistent flow of donations rather than relying on one-time fundraising.
While some critics may view the initiative as a marketing strategy for FIFA, it also presents a practical way to engage the global football fanbase in supporting education for children.
Speaking at the event, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Last summer, I joined the Global Citizen Festival to announce a significant 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 U.S. 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.”
Global Citizen Co-Founder and CEO Hugh Evans added: “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 will raise $100 million. Together with our incredible partners, FIFA, we’re investing in a better world where every child has the chance to thrive.”
Michael Isaacman, Chief Commercial Officer of Shift4, also shared his thoughts: “Shift4 is proud to support the Education Fund to power a new era of impact and purpose through payments.
“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.”