FIFA and WHO expand their collaboration to promote health through football

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• FIFA and WHO extend Memorandum of Understanding for four more years
• WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and FIFA President Gianni Infantino sign a new agreement in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Both organizations reiterate their commitment to continue working together to promote health through football

FIFA and WHO have agreed to expand their collaboration and continue to use the power of football to promote healthy lifestyles and equal access to health services around the world.

During the 76th World Health Assembly In Geneva, Switzerland, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and FIFA President Gianni Infantino signed a four-year extension to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has been in force since 4 October 2019.

“Health and football are perfect companions. The promotion of healthy lifestyles, safe stadiums and the physical and mental benefits of physical activity are among the many health goals that WHO is proud to continue to score with FIFA over the next four years,” said Dr. Tedros. “WHO’s partnership with FIFA has already succeeded in sharing evidence-based messages to help people of all ages lead healthier and safer lives through the power of football and sport. WHO looks forward to continuing this journey.”

“We are proud to have signed and renewed the Memorandum of Understanding with the World Health Organization; we are proud to continue our relationship to deliver important mental and physical health messages to our global football audience,” said Gianni Infantino. “I extend my gratitude to Dr. Tedros, to his wonderful team, to all who help in the health sector, from doctors to nurses, health professionals and health ministers, and to all who contribute to improving our lives”.

Reflecting on the past four years, he added: “Both Dr. Tedros and I feel that in a world that is increasingly divided, maybe if the World Health Organization and FIFA join forces, we can achieve something, we can have even a small impact to make our lives a little better. Since 2019, we have worked together with our colleagues at the World Health Organization to try to use the impact of football, which helps drive health for all.”

During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, FIFA and WHO launched the Soccer unites the world Campaign. With the support of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Hassan Al-Haydos, Karim Benzema, Lucy Bronze, Giulia Gwinn, Kaká, Robert Lewandowski, Carli Lloyd, Édouard Mendy and Emmanuel Petit, as well as two Goodwill Ambassadors for Sport and the WHO Health, namely Alisson Becker and Didier Drogba, illustrated the unrivaled ability of football to bring people together.

The support of the Qatari Ministry of Public Health, FIFA and WHO collaborated on a number of initiatives to promote the importance of access to physical and mental health for all. Health and well-being were prioritized throughout the tournament, and included various initiatives such as:

• implementing mass gathering and surveillance strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases;
• enhanced policies to protect people from the harms of tobacco, including a ban on smoking in stadium seating areas; and
• healthy food options in all 64 matches with healthy and vegetarian food reaching a 30% share in all 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums, proving that high-quality, sustainable and healthy food environments are possible in major sporting events.

Since 2020, the two organizations have joined forces on various digital campaigns and initiatives to address a variety of health-related issues. These include (#Reach)domestic violence (#Secure home), a recognition of the work of health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic (#HumanitysHeroes), equitable access to vaccines and vaccines, diagnostics, oxygen and other life-saving tools (#ACTtogether) and “Pass the message to kick off the coronavirus campaign”, where FIFA Legends called on people around the world to take five steps to stop the spread of the disease. Several of these initiatives have also received active support from other institutions such as the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Commission to help spread the word to a global audience.

For three years, the two organizations have also championed the need for #Be active to promote regular physical activity. WHO recommends that healthy adults get a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity a day, while children should get a minimum of 60 minutes a day. However, current WHO data has reported that 80% of adolescents do not get enough daily exercise.