This children’s article, World Football Day: Celebrating the world’s favourite game, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn useful vocabulary, and discover how football is being used to promote peace and unity around the world. Written by Mark Pulley, a children’s writer and EFL teacher with eight years’ experience.
World Football Day
World Football Day is still very new. It was first celebrated in 2024, so this year marks only the second time the world has come together for it. But the reason behind the day goes back 100 years.
In 1924, Paris hosted the very first international football tournament during the Olympic Games. Teams from different countries played against each other on a global stage, showing that football could connect people across borders.
To remember this big moment in football history, the United Nations (UN) created World Football Day. It’s now officially celebrated every year on 25 May.
What the day stands for
World Football Day isn’t just about watching or playing football. It’s about what football can do to help people.
The UN says football plays an important role in promoting peace, teamwork, and even gender equality.
A UN statement said the day encourages countries to support football as a way to help communities grow stronger. That includes helping girls and women to play, lead, and succeed in sports too.
Governments are invited to use this day to share the benefits of football in schools, clubs, and communities. From small villages to big cities, everyone is welcome to take part.
One UN spokesperson explained:
“Football brings people together, no matter where they’re from. It helps teach respect, unity, and fair play.”
To learn more about the UN’s goals for sport and peace, visit the official UN website.
Article vocabulary list
- Anniversary – The date when something important happened in the past
- Tournament – A sports event where teams or players compete to win
- Resolution – An official decision made by a group like the United Nations
- Promote – To help something grow or become more popular
- Empowerment – Giving people the power and confidence to do something
- Civil society – Groups of people working together outside the government
- Gender equality – When people of all genders are treated fairly and have the same chances to do things, like go to school, play sports, or get jobs
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. What date is World Football Day celebrated on?
A) June 25
B) May 25
C) July 25
B) May 25
2. Why was World Football Day created?
A) To celebrate the FIFA World Cup
B) To honour the first football club
C) To mark the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament
C) To mark the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament
3. What does the UN hope football will help promote?
A) Video games
B) Peace and development
C) More homework
B) Peace and development
4. Who is encouraged to take part in World Football Day?
A) Only football players
B) Only FIFA members
C) Everyone, including governments, schools, and communities
C) Everyone, including governments, schools, and communities
5. What important value does football help teach, according to the article?
A) Fair play
B) Cooking skills
C) Writing poems
A) Fair play
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
