Football has a unique power to drive social change and some of the people who know that better than anyone have arrived in Russia for a special event of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™.

The FIFA Foundation Festival is taking place in Moscow from 23 June to 3 July and brings 48 non-governmental organisations together from 38 countries that work year-round to make a positive difference through football. They include Street Soccer USA, Sport Against Racism Ireland, Single Leg Amputee Sports Association from Sierra Leone and Downside Up Charity who helps improve the quality of life for Russian children with down syndrome, to name a few.

The festival will culminate with a football tournament and awards ceremony to be held in Red Square on 30 June. The tournament will follow the football3 concept – a different way of playing the game that is changing lives across the globe. Like the name suggests, football3 has three halves. It also has no refs. Mixed gender teams decide the rules before they play and then come together at the final whistle to reflect on their behaviour, with points awarded not only for goals but also fair play.

The first part of the festival centres around a leadership programme for young community workers identified by their organisation as potential leaders in their community. They will be able to further develop their skills to manage social projects across their networks while also being trained in the football3 methodology.

“Each participant was chosen because of their leadership potential and commitment in their communities,” said Federico Addiechi, FIFA’s Head of Sustainability & Diversity.

“The FIFA Foundation Festival will be a unique gathering to celebrate and showcase the power of football for positive social change.”

The young participants will experience a packed programme that will allow them to exchange, learn, experience Russia and play football with their peers from around the world. They will also have the chance to attend a Round of 16 World Cup match at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Play Together. Bring Smiles. As the world’s number one sport, football is uniquely placed to strengthen initiatives that can improve the lives of young people around the world.

Established in March 2018, the FIFA Foundation was created as an independent entity with the objectives to help promote positive social change around the world and raise support for the recovery and reconstruction of damaged or destroyed sports infrastructure worldwide.

These social responsibility goals are overseen by the FIFA Foundation Board, which is led by the FIFA President Gianni Infantino and may be supported by FIFA, FIFA Partners and FIFA Legends. The FIFA Foundation’s approach is innovative, modern and digital in its communication and fundraising activities.