Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Spain’s rising football star Lamine Yamal has been named UNICEF’s youngest Goodwill Ambassador as the largest ever football World Cup kicked off across three countries and two continents. His appointment was announced on the International Day of Play, 11 June, emphasizing children’s right to play and supporting children affected by humanitarian emergencies such as conflict or natural disasters.
Yamal, a teenager and Barcelona midfielder, has been active in children’s rights causes, including writing a letter to his younger brother on World Children’s Day in 2024 to share hopes for children everywhere. He has also used his platform to amplify voices from underserved communities, once handing over his social media accounts to a nine-year-old girl from Equatorial Guinea to share her experiences.
UNICEF reports more than 90 million children under five lack access to playthings, and 80 million children aged two to four do not have playtime with a parent or caregiver at home. These disparities highlight the importance of promoting play as a right for all children.
On the eve of the World Cup, the UN released a study on football’s role in advancing sustainable development through its Football for the Goals initiative. This initiative brings together football clubs, associations, businesses, and civil society to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at reducing poverty and inequality by 2030.
Data from football-based projects show positive impacts on disadvantaged communities, focusing on reduced inequality, better access to education and healthcare, and fostering community well-being. Many initiatives create safe spaces for youth, empower women and girls, and promote social cohesion through football.