May 25th has been designated as World Football Day, a day to celebrate the beloved sport of soccer. This annual observance commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first international soccer tournament in history, which took place on May 25, 1924, during the Olympic Games in Paris. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing this milestone, with over 160 countries co-sponsoring the initiative.
The universal appeal of soccer was emphasized by Libya’s U.N. Ambassador, Taher El-Sonni, who called it the number one game played and followed around the world. Beyond being a popular pastime, soccer serves as a universal language that transcends national, cultural, and socio-economic barriers. It promotes gender equality, social inclusion, mutual understanding, tolerance, respect, and solidarity among individuals from diverse backgrounds.
FIFA, the international governing body of soccer along with regional and national federations plays an essential role in advancing the sport. On this day observed annually on May 25th nations are encouraged to promote awareness-raising activities that align with their priorities to highlight the positive impact of soccer on individuals from diverse backgrounds and foster a sense of unity and cooperation within the global soccer community.