The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund has received a $9 million contribution from MetLife and the MetLife Foundation, strengthening efforts to expand access to education, literacy, and sport for children across underserved communities worldwide.
The three-year commitment positions MetLife Foundation as a founding donor to the Fund, which was established by FIFA and Global Citizen to mobilise resources for grassroots organisations working at the intersection of education and sport.
The contribution supports the Fund’s broader $100 million target, aimed at scaling community-led education initiatives globally.
At a time when education systems in many countries remain under strain, the Fund seeks to bridge persistent gaps by investing in local organisations that combine learning with sport to improve child development and social inclusion.
Linking Sport and Learning
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is built on the premise that sport, particularly football, can be a powerful entry point for education.
Of the total funds raised, $50 million will be directed toward grassroots education and literacy programmes in more than 200 communities worldwide.
The remaining funds will support FIFA Football for Schools (F4S), a joint FIFA–UNESCO initiative that integrates football into education systems to promote life skills, learning, and community development.
Through F4S, football is used not as an end in itself, but as a tool to encourage school attendance, strengthen literacy, and support holistic child development.
The approach recognises that in many communities, access to sport can help re-engage children who face barriers to formal education.
Strengthening a Global Partnership
The partnership between Global Citizen, FIFA, and MetLife extends beyond financial support.
It also underpins Global Citizen’s broader advocacy and public engagement work, including campaigns and events that mobilise citizens, institutions, and governments around education and poverty reduction.
Nuria Garcia, Head of Global Sustainability and Chair of MetLife Foundation, said the partnership reflects a shared focus on expanding opportunity for children.
“Our partnership with Global Citizen, along with MetLife Foundation’s support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, will drive positive change by advancing educational opportunities while fostering strong and confident communities,” she said.
The collaboration was highlighted at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City in September 2025, where representatives from the partner organisations underscored the role of education and social investment in long-term development.
Responding to Education Gaps Worldwide
The Fund’s expansion comes amid significant global education challenges.
An estimated 350 million children and adolescents worldwide are out of school, while approximately 133 million fail to meet minimum reading and mathematics proficiency by the end of primary education.
By focusing on community-based organisations, the Fund aims to support interventions that are locally relevant and sustainable.
These organisations often work in contexts where schools are under-resourced, literacy rates are low, and children have limited access to safe recreational spaces.
Opening Doors for Grassroots Organisations
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund was accepting applications from grassroots and community-based organisations working to improve access to education through sport.
The application window has now closed, with attention turning to the rollout of funded programmes and long-term partnerships with grassroots organisations.
The Fund’s backers say this phase will prioritise learning outcomes, community ownership, and sustainable impact across diverse regional contexts.
Successful applicants will receive funding to expand programmes that combine learning, literacy, and physical activity, alongside opportunities to connect with a global network of partners.
Rather than prescribing solutions, the Fund prioritises organisations that understand the specific needs of their communities and are already delivering impact on the ground.
As the Fund scales its operations, its emphasis remains on collaboration, bringing together sport, education, philanthropy, and community leadership to address entrenched inequalities in access to learning.
With the new $9 million contribution, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is positioned to extend its reach across regions where education gaps remain widest, reinforcing the idea that when children are supported to learn and play, communities are better equipped to thrive.
