The talented Spanish team is one of the favorites to win the event and their teenage superstar, Lamine Yamal, promises to be one of the tournament’s standout players.
On Thursday, before the first match between Mexico and South Africa, the UN children’s agency (UNICEF) announced that Yamal has been named the youngest Goodwill Ambassador in historyfocusing on children’s right to play and supporting those living in humanitarian emergencies, such as conflicts or natural disasters.
Children’s rights are a cause close to the Barcelona midfielder’s heart. On World Children’s Day 2024, as part of a UNICEF campaign, he wrote a heartfelt letter to his younger brother sharing his hopes for children around the world.
Last year, gave his social media accounts to a nine-year-old girl from Equatorial Guinea – his mother’s country of origin – allowing him to share his experiences of daily life with the world, far from the glamor of Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium.
Yamal’s appointment was announced on International Play Day, celebrated annually on June 11. UNICEF has revealed that more than 90 million children under five years of age do not have any toys such as store-bought toys, household objects or other simple resources to play with at home.while 80 million children between two and four years old do not play with their parents or caregivers at home.
Goal scoring (sustainable development)
On the eve of the event, the UN published a study showing how football can help improve lives and drive progress towards a fairer world.
The report examines the growing impact of the Football for the Goals initiative, which brings together clubs, associations, businesses and civil society to support sustainable development.
The UN initiative encourages organizations in the world of football to align their activities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a plan to end poverty, reduce inequality and build a better future for all by 2030.
Reach those most in need
Data collected from participating organizations shows that football-based projects are making a difference in disadvantaged communities.
Many initiatives focus on reducing inequality, improving access to education and healthcare, and supporting partnerships that bring people together. Examples include creating safe spaces for young people, empowering women and girls, and supporting community wellbeing.
By leveraging the popularity of football, organizations can engage people who would otherwise be difficult to reach, turning enthusiasm for the sport into positive actions.
With only a few years left to achieve the SDGs, the report highlights the need to adopt innovative approaches that produce results on the ground. Football, he suggests, offers a unique opportunity to bring people together and drive progress in ways that are both practical and inspiring.