FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund names first 27 grantees

By AI, Created 4:52 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Global Citizen and FIFA have awarded the first round of grants from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund to 27 community organizations in 10 countries, with awards of $50,000 to $250,000. The fund is aiming to raise $100 million by the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to expand education and football access for children in underserved communities.

Why it matters: - The first grants put money behind a global effort to expand education and football access for children in underserved communities. - The fund is targeting organizations already reaching tens of thousands of children, including communities where secondary school completion is below 15% and poverty exceeds 60%. - Half of all money raised will support FIFA Football for Schools, extending the impact beyond direct grants.

What happened: - Global Citizen and FIFA announced the first grant recipients from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund in Johannesburg on May 11, 2026. - Twenty-seven grassroots organizations in 10 countries were selected for awards ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. - Applications are now open for the second grant cycle at more information on how to apply.

The details: - The fund aims to raise $100 million by the end of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to expand access to quality education and football for children worldwide. - The fund has raised more than $30 million so far. - Funding has come from philanthropies, major brands, corporations, individual donors and ticket sales tied to major music and sporting events, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026. - A public list of the inaugural grantees is available through the fund’s grantee page. - Founding donors include MetLife Foundation and Bank of America, which also serves as the fund’s bank of record. - Other contributors include Cisco, FIFA Collect and proceeds from ticket sales to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, the FIFA World Cup 2026, The Weeknd’s “After Hours Til Dawn” tour and Usher and Chris Brown’s “R&B” tour. - The fund’s non-fiduciary advisory board includes Hugh Jackman, The Weeknd, Ivanka Trump, Gianni Infantino, Hugh Evans, Serena Williams, Shakira, Kaká and Bank of America co-president Jim De Mare. - Global Citizen and Foundation Source jointly administer a multi-stage review process that includes eligibility screening, compliance verification, due diligence and ongoing monitoring. - Grantees use a single platform for application, grant agreement and reporting to reduce administrative work.

Between the lines: - The grantee mix shows the fund backing programs that combine sport with education, mental health, technology, nutrition, inclusion and community support. - The portfolio spans the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Colombia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Brazil, Mexico and Japan. - The emphasis on compliance, due diligence and spot checks suggests the fund is trying to signal credibility as it scales a high-profile philanthropic model. - Public figures on the advisory board and donor list give the initiative both fundraising reach and visibility.

What’s next: - The second round of grants is open now for organizations serving children in underserved communities. - The fund will continue raising money through the end of the FIFA World Cup 2026. - Global Citizen and Foundation Source will monitor grantees through the grant period to track accountability and results. - As the fund grows, more money is expected to flow into FIFA Football for Schools and community-based education programs.

The bottom line: - FIFA and Global Citizen are turning a celebrity- and event-powered fundraising campaign into direct support for grassroots education and sport programs with a global footprint.