FIFA and Global Citizen have announced the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund Advisory Board, featuring celebrities like Shakira and The Weeknd. The initiative aims to raise $100 million for children's education and literacy worldwide. It follows initial donor contributions and aligns with FIFA's commitment to global access to education and football.
FIFA, the governing body of international soccer, and Global Citizen, a movement to end extreme poverty, have launched the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund Advisory Board. This non-fiduciary group includes Shakira, The Weeknd, Hugh Jackman, Ivanka Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, Serena Williams, former soccer player Kaká, and Bank of America co-president Jim DeMare. The board will offer strategic guidance to maximize the fund's impact on organizations improving literacy, education quality, and access for children.
The fund seeks to raise $100 million following its first wave of founding donor contributions. It was introduced earlier this year at the Global Citizen NOW summit in New York City, focusing on expanding access to quality education, literacy, and football for children globally. This effort aligns with the global average education spending of $1,000 per K-12 student annually.
Shakira, a longtime advocate for education, expressed enthusiasm about her involvement. "I'm excited about joining the FIFA Global Citizen Fund Advisory Board, to focus on education, a cause I have dedicated my life to," she said. "We will be working internationally with FIFA and specifically in Colombia along with my Pies Descalzos Foundation—who have built 20 schools in Colombia—on fundraising initiatives to expand programs that ensure access to quality education and long-term academic success for our children."
Underserved communities can apply for grants of up to $250,000 through organizations providing education and sports access. The first grantees will be announced in early 2026; applications are available at globalcitizen.org/education-fund-apply. Additionally, $1 from every ticket sold for FIFA World Cup 26 matches will support the fund.