FIFA has launched the Player Impact Programme, uniting 14 of the world’s most influential female footballers to design and lead their own social initiatives. The project opens a new chapter in football’s commitment to creating positive change beyond the pitch.
Empowering Players Beyond the Game
The pilot programme began in Paris last August and empowers players to use their platforms off the field. World Cup winners and rising stars alike draw on personal experiences to tackle issues such as supporting single mothers and expanding girls’ football academies.
- Kadeisha Buchanan, Canada defender and youngest of seven sisters, built her foundation to support single mothers and their daughters.
- Alessia Russo, England forward, launched Power Her Play to expand opportunities for girls to play with pride and purpose.
- Tierna Davidson, U.S. World Cup champion, embraced the programme while recovering from injury, stressing how FIFA’s support helps players take the crucial first step in building new projects.
Building Legacies Off the Pitch
After a three-day workshop in Paris, players completed three months of personalized coaching and then pitched their initiatives in London. A panel featuring FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis, former Afghanistan international Khalida Popal, and philanthropist Olivia Hall awarded seed funding to bring the projects to life.
Ellis praised the players’ vision:
“The players’ legacy on the pitch is established, but how do we help them build their legacy off the pitch? The topics are diverse, but the common thread is that they care, and they want to address a problem.”
Football as a Force for Good
FIFA continues to use football to unite communities and create opportunities worldwide. Ellis, who joined FIFA in December, underscored this mission:
“At its core, this is what we’re about. We believe in the mantra football unites the world. It’s about using football as a force for good.”
Lasting Impact
The FIFA Player Impact Programme expands opportunities for women and girls globally. It ensures that the sport’s biggest names will be remembered not only for their achievements on the field but also for the lasting change they create off it.
