Photo of VIP attendees

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 7: Kuwait today concluded the first edition of the Football for Humanity initiative — a UN-backed diplomatic sports initiative dedicated this year to children in Palestine.

Held under the patronage of H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the initiative was organized in partnership with the United Nations — represented by UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF, and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait — and supported by the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, 11 participating embassies, and Kuwait’s private sector, in an effort to harness the global popularity of football to advance humanitarian diplomacy and deliver tangible support to children affected by crises.

The event was attended by Minister Plenipotentiary Abdulaziz Saud Al-Jarallah, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations Affairs; Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs, Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Duaij Al-Sabah; and the Ambassadors of Italy, France, Brazil, Spain, Belgium, Palestine, Tunisia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, India, and Armenia. Also in attendance were Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Chairperson of Al-Nowair Foundation and Chair of the Initiative’s Organizing Committee, and Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef, President of the Kuwait Football Association.

H.E. Minister Plenipotentiary Abdulaziz Saud Al-Jarallah, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations Affairs and Member of the Initiative’s Board of Trustees, said: “The success of Football for Humanity reaffirms Kuwait’s commitment to humanitarian diplomacy and global cooperation in promoting peace and supporting vulnerable communities. We value the partnership of the United Nations and participating embassies in Kuwait and look forward to building on this diplomatic engagement in future editions.”

H.E. Ghada Hatem ElTahir, Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator in the State of Kuwait, and a member of the initiative’s Board of Trustees, said: “The success of Football for Humanity reflects the strong partnership between Kuwait and the United Nations in advancing humanitarian efforts and sustainable development. This first edition showed how sport can bridge divides, promote peace, and inspire solidarity. We look forward to building on this momentum in future editions with broader reach and deeper impact.”

Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Chairperson of Al-Nowair Non-Profit Foundation, Chair of the Organizing Committee, and member of the initiative’s Board of Trustees, said: “As the first edition of Football for Humanity concludes, we take great pride in what has been achieved. The initiative reflects a unique Kuwaiti, UN, and diplomatic collaboration that opened new horizons for using sport to build peace and promote safe, cohesive communities for children worldwide. What we accomplished was only possible through our partners’ shared belief in equal opportunities for children in crisis-affected communities, and we see this as the beginning of a global movement that puts humanity at the heart of football.”

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait Football Association and Member of the Initiative’s Board of Trustees, said: “The Kuwait Football Association is proud to support Football for Humanity, reflecting our belief in sport’s role in building people, strengthening communities, and promoting the values of unity and solidarity. This partnership embodies our mission to use football as a platform for social and humanitarian impact, in line with Kuwait’s standing as a hub for humanitarian action. We also value our close collaboration with FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme, which highlights the shared commitment of local and international institutions to the initiative’s noble goals.”

Balsam Al-Ayoub, Advisor to the Initiative, Member of the Board of Trustees, and former international fencing champion, said: “Football for Humanity is a real and tangible example of the positive impact football can create in our world. Through this initiative, we are helping shape a better reality for every child whose life has been affected by conflict or disaster. It’s more than just a game — it’s a gateway to the future, driven by our belief that sport is one of the most powerful tools for community development, empowerment, and peace. As a Kuwaiti athlete, I feel proud to witness this event, which reflects Kuwait’s enduring humanitarian and sporting legacy built across generations.”

The Football Tournament

The youth tournament brought together over 400 boys and girls aged 8–12 from different nationalities, who played friendly matches in support of children in Palestine. Both the opening and closing ceremonies featured artistic performances expressing solidarity and unity through sport, alongside an exhibition match by Kuwait’s U-17 women’s team at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Youth Center.

For the first time in Kuwait and the region, matches were self-managed by the children, played without referees, and rewarded with a green card for sportsmanship instead of penalties. The tournament had no scores or rankings, reflecting the initiative’s vision of football as a platform for empathy, ethics, and human connection.

The Charity Auction

Football for Humanity announced an extension of its charity football auction until 20 November, giving participants worldwide more time to bid on rare and exclusive memorabilia, with proceeds supporting Palestinian children through the Kuwait Red Crescent Society. Winners will be announced on the initiative’s social media channels.

Items up for auction include a signed Kuwait national team jersey from the 1982 World Cup by legend Jassem Yaqoub, a Barcelona jersey signed by Spanish legend Andrés Iniesta, an AC Milan jersey signed by Italy’s World Cup champion Andrea Pirlo, and a Brazil national team jersey signed by Vinícius Júnior, Alisson Becker, and Raphinha, among others. The collection also features jerseys from Belgium and Italy, as well as two footballs signed by members of Tunisia’s national team. An official certificate of authenticity accompanies each item.

International and Local Partnerships

In line with SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, Football for Humanity built a broad coalition uniting governments, NGOs, UN agencies, the private sector, and civil society to advance shared humanitarian and development objectives. The initiative was held under the patronage of Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and co-organized in partnership with the United Nations, represented by UNICEF, UNESCO, and WHO, with the support and participation of the embassies of Italy, France, Brazil, Spain, Belgium, Palestine, Tunisia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, India, and Armenia, and the FIFA Talent Development Program.

The initiative also received strong backing from Kuwait’s private sector, including Al Hamra Shopping Center, Makhazen (formerly Agility Public Warehousing Co.), Kout Food Group – Pizza Hut Kuwait, and VO Creative Platform. Together, these partnerships reflect a shared commitment to using football as a platform to promote human values and strengthen cooperation for future joint initiatives

Football for Humanity is guided by a Board of Trustees comprising leaders from Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations, ambassadors from 11 countries, and senior Kuwaiti officials, ensuring its diplomatic standing and humanitarian credibility. The initiative represents an unprecedented UN–diplomatic–sports alliance, with Kuwait serving as the host nation for a global movement that transforms football’s unifying power into tangible support for children affected by crises. It also lays the foundation for future editions that will expand each year to address broader humanitarian causes.

To bid on or view the auction, visit: https://4mazad.com/products/productss/71

For the latest updates, follow the initiative on Instagram: instagram.com/footballhumanitykw.