On May 25th every year, soccer fans worldwide will come together to celebrate the world’s most popular sport. This date marks the 100th anniversary of the first international soccer tournament in history, which took place during the 1924 summer Olympic games in Paris. The resolution to establish World Football Day was adopted by the 193-member General Assembly of the United Nations with overwhelming support from over 160 countries.
The day is meant to acknowledge soccer as a game played and followed globally, transcending national, cultural, and socio-economic boundaries. In introducing the resolution, Libya’s U.N. Ambassador highlighted soccer’s significance as a game that is played by people of all ages around the world. Beyond being a recreational activity, soccer serves as a universal language that promotes mutual understanding, tolerance, respect, and solidarity.
The resolution acknowledges the role of FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, as well as regional and national soccer federations in promoting the game. It encourages all nations, U.N. bodies, international organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector to observe World Football Day and raise awareness about the benefits of soccer for all through educational and public engagement activities.
