What is Global Football
Football is the world’s most popular sport. No other sport has its reach and impact. We know football transforms athletes, and we believe it has the popularity and power to help transform attitudes about intellectual disability as well. LEARN MORE ››
Ambassadors
Since its start in 2008, the Global Football iniative has been attracting a lot of enthusiastic and high-profile support. This includes professional football clubs Inter-Milan, Italy; Manchester United, Glasgow Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur, United Kingdom; Sports Club Corinthians Paulista, Brazil; Monarcas de Morelia, Mexico; Sounders FC, USA.
Many well-known football stars are also big supporters, including Kaka, David James, Carlos Parreira, Kristine Lilly, Doris Fitschen, Teofilo Cubillas and Dani Alves. The initiative is being co-chaired by Angelo Moratti, Special Olympics International Board member and nephew of Inter-Milan owner.
World Cup 2014 Tie-In
In preparation for the FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil in 2014, Special Olympics will be using the event to increase awareness for our Global Football initiative and bring football to more people with intellectual disabilities around the world.
A key approach to achieving this is through our partnership with Soccerex, the leading provider of business events for the global football community, who’s annual Global Convention, is held in Rio de Janeiro. Working in partnership with Soccerexgives the Global Football initiative greater visibility, high impact and access to a large global football audience where the message of Special Olympics and the Global Football initiative can be shared on a wide scale. Soccerex also hosts three other key events with a European Forum held in Manchester, an African Forum in Durban and a Seminar in Lagos.
“We are privileged to have them here with us. ... Special Olympics extends to its fans as they exemplify values that signify dignity, sacrifice and enormous dedication.”El presidente de la Conmebol, Dr. Nicolás