FIFA and Global Citizen Award First Grants from $100M Education Fund

FIFA and Global Citizen have announced the first 27 grassroots organisations selected as grant recipients for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Announced on 11 May 2026, the grants range from USD 50,000 to USD 250,000, supporting local initiatives across 10 countries that integrate football and quality education for children in underserved communities.

The fund is a mechanical necessity for FIFA’s social responsibility framework ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, aiming to leverage the tournament’s massive commercial reach to break cycles of poverty through sport.

According to CEO of Foundation Source, Joseph Mrak III, the fund relies on a robust “compliance infrastructure” to ensure that 100% of the intended gifts reach grassroots projects. Applications for the second grant cycle are now open, inviting non-profits focused on education and sport to apply via the official Global Citizen portal.

Funding and Financial Milestones

The Fund aims to mobilise USD 100 million by the end of the 2026 World Cup. To date, it has raised over USD 30 million through a diverse revenue model:

• Founding Donors: Bank of America serves as the primary bank of record and a founding contributor alongside the MetLife Foundation.
• Event Proceeds: Contributions from ticket sales for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ and the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
• Digital Assets: Proceeds from the FIFA Collect platform.

Half of all funds raised are specifically allocated to the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) programme, a joint initiative with UNESCO that operates in over 200 countries.

Global Cohort of Grant Recipients

The first group of grantees was selected from over 3,500 applications following a rigorous screening by Foundation Source. The organisations are distributed across four major regions:

High-Profile Advisory Board

The fund’s non-fiduciary advisory board consists of global leaders across sport, entertainment, and business to provide strategic oversight.

Members include:

• Chairs: Gianni Infantino (FIFA President) and Hugh Evans (Global Citizen CEO).
• Culture & Sport: Hugh Jackman, Shakira, The Weeknd, Serena Williams, and Brazilian legend Kaká.
• Business & Philanthropy: Ivanka Trump and Jim DeMare (Co-President, Bank of America).

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