H.E. Ghada Hatem ElTahir, United Nations Secretary-General’s Representative and Resident Coordinator in the State of Kuwait, speaking during the Football For Humanity Kick-Off Press Conference.

KUWAIT CITY: Nov 3: In a joint expression of support, United Nations agencies praised Kuwait’s Football for Humanity initiative as a model of how sport can advance humanitarian diplomacy and youth engagement. The UN Resident Coordinator Office, UNICEF, UNESCO and the World Health Organization (WHO) each underscored football’s power to foster unity, resilience, and peace, noting that initiatives like Football for Humanity—held under the patronage of Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs—reflect the UN’s commitment to promoting humanitarian values and global solidarity with Palestinian children and communities affected by crisis.

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 initiative brings together children from Kuwait and Palestine, turning solidarity into action and sending a clear message that peace and humanity are built through collective effort. She added that the UN recognizes the value of Football for Humanity, which demonstrates how sport can be a powerful catalyst for unity, empathy, and peace. Football is more than just a game; it is a language of fairness, teamwork, respect, and compassion. These are core principles that can be passed down to youth

In a shared letter, UNICEF praised the initiative, saying: “At UNICEF, we believe that every child has the right to play, to dream, and to grow in safety and dignity. The Football for Humanity initiative reflects these fundamental rights using the power of sport to unite children, foster inclusion, and nurture hope. This year’s focus on children in Palestine is a poignant reminder that even amid crisis, their resilience and spirit endure. Through football, we are not only creating moments of joy, but we are also advancing children’s rights to protection, participation, and development, reaffirming our shared responsibility to give every child the opportunity for a brighter, more peaceful future.”

UNESCO warmly welcomed the initiative as an inspiring model, saying: “UNESCO welcomes and supports the Football for Humanity initiative as an influential illustration of sport’s capacity to inspire, unite, and transform lives. Football embodies values essential for peacebuilding and resilience, such as teamwork, respect, and solidarity. In contexts affected by crisis, inequality, or displacement, sport offers young people a platform to rebuild their confidence and recover. The initiative reflects the core principles of UNESCO’s ‘Fit for Life’ programme, promoting sport and physical education as pathways to inclusion, wellbeing, and community rebuilding.”

Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Chairperson of Alnowair Non-Profit Foundation, Chair of the Organizing Committee, said: "We are honored to launch Football for Humanity in close partnership with the United Nations. This initiative demonstrates how the power of sport can transcend borders, foster unity, and instill humanitarian values in young people. As a country recognized internationally as a Humanitarian Center, we are providing a platform in Kuwait where our children can come together in support of Palestinian children, translating solidarity and the passion of sport into tangible action. Football becomes a catalyst for support and peace. Together with the UN, we aim to make Football for Humanity a beacon of hope and solidarity from Kuwait to the children of Palestine."

Football for Humanity, a UN-backed humanitarian diplomacy initiative co-organized by Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and three UN agencies, UNICEF, WHO, and UNESCO, with additional support from the embassies of Italy, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, India, Palestine, and Armenia, alongside leading private-sector partners, Al Hamra Real Estate Company, Agility Public Warehousing, and Kout Food Group, franchisee of Pizza Hut in Kuwait.

The initiative aims to provide essential aid to Palestinian children through the Kuwait Red Crescent Society via youth football tournaments, charity auctions, and community engagement. The youth football tournament will take place on November 6–7 at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium in Sulaibikhat, featuring 34 teams and 400 boys and girls aged 8–11. The matches will be accompanied by family activities and a vibrant retail village, with free attendance for all. In parallel, an online charity auction is currently open and will run until November 7, offering exclusive signed football memorabilia from Andrés Iniesta, Andrea Pirlo, and the national teams of Italy, Belgium, and Brazil. Match schedules and updates are available on the initiative’s Instagram.