May 25 has been officially designated as World Football Day by the United Nations General Assembly, as per a resolution passed on Tuesday, May 7. T
his decision allows football enthusiasts worldwide to celebrate the beloved sport. The significance of May 25 stems from its association with the centennial anniversary of the first-ever international soccer tournament, which took place during the 1924 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
This historic event saw representation from all regions. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the 193-member General Assembly, receiving widespread support from over 160 countries.
Who introduced this resolution?
Libya’s U.N. Ambassador Taher El-Sonni, the sponsor of the resolution, emphasized that football, or soccer, transcends borders and demographics, being universally played and followed across the globe. He highlighted that soccer serves as more than just a recreational activity, acting as a universal language that bridges cultural and socio-economic divides.
El-Sonni underscored the unparalleled significance of football in the world of sports, noting its impact on various aspects such as commerce, peacebuilding, and diplomacy. The resolution acknowledges football’s global reach and its capacity to foster cooperation.
Furthermore, the resolution recognizes the pivotal role of FIFA, along with regional and national soccer federations, in promoting the sport. It encourages countries to leverage soccer and other sports to advance peace, development, and gender equality.
In observance of World Football Day on May 25, the resolution invites nations, U.N. bodies, international organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector to raise awareness about the benefits of football through educational and public outreach activities aligned with their respective national priorities.
