World Football Day: Why May 25 Matters to Football Fans Everywhere

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Football is the most popular sport on Earth. About 4 billion people watch it. Over 265 million people play it. It crosses languages, cultures, and borders like no other sport. Most people know about the FIFA World Cup and their favorite clubs. But not many people know that football even has its own United Nations holiday called World Football Day.

World Football Day is celebrated every year on May 25. The United Nations created it in 2024 to honor the sport and everything it stands for. It is a day to remember how football brings people together and makes the world a little better.

In this article, we will look at what World Football Day is and why football matters so much to so many people. We will also share some fun facts about the sport that might surprise you. Let's get started.

World Football Day is an official United Nations holiday observed every year on May 25. The UN created it on May 7, 2024, through a resolution passed by the General Assembly. The date May 25 was chosen because it marks the 100th anniversary of the first truly global football tournament, held at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

The resolution was proposed by Bahrain, Libya, and Tajikistan, and it was supported by all member states. It recognizes football as a tool for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. The UN describes football as a universal language spoken by people of all ages and backgrounds.

In 2026, FIFA is running a campaign called "Be Active" alongside the FIFA World Cup 2026. It is a joint effort between FIFA and the World Health Organization to encourage people, especially children, to move more and live healthier lives. The campaign uses the global reach of football to spread a simple but important message: being active is good for your body and your mind.

You might be wondering why football deserves its own international day. The answer is simple: football does much more than entertain people. It changes lives. Here are some of the most important reasons why football matters so much.

1. It Connects People Across Cultures

Football is played in almost every country in the world. It does not need a common language. Two strangers from different countries can meet on a field and immediately understand each other through the game. This shared love of football builds friendships and breaks down barriers.

2. It Helps Children Grow and Learn

Research across more than 300 sport-for-development programs in 100 countries shows that playing football improves children's academic performance and life skills. It teaches teamwork, discipline, and confidence. For girls especially, playing football opens doors in communities where gender barriers run deep.

3. It Gives Hope to Children in Difficult Situations

UNICEF uses football in displacement camps and conflict zones to help children heal and feel safe. In Sudan, Jordan, Niger, and Haiti, children who have lost so much find joy and purpose through the sport. For many of them, football is not just a game. It is a reason to keep going.

4. It Promotes Peace

The United Nations has passed several resolutions recognizing sport as a tool for peace and development. The FIFA World Cup, for example, brings together dozens of nations in friendly competition. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described football as "an excuse to unite" a world that is often divided.

5. It Empowers Women and Girls

Football has become an important platform for gender equality. From munitions factory women's teams in World War I to today's professional women's leagues, the sport has always given women a space to compete, lead, and be seen.

There is always something new to learn about football. Here are eight surprising facts about the world's favorite sport that you might not know.

1. Its Origin Can Be Traced Back to Ancient China

The earliest known version of football was played in China around 476 BC. The game was called Cuju, which means "kicking ball." Similar ball games also appeared among the Mayans and ancient Greeks. The modern rules of the sport were developed in England in the 19th century.

2. The First International Football Match Happened in 1872

The first official international football match took place between England and Scotland in 1872. The final score was 0 to 0. It was a goalless draw, but it marked an important moment in the history of the sport.

3. Sheffield FC Is the Oldest Football Team in the World

Sheffield FC was founded in 1857 in England. It is recognized by both FIFA and the English Football Association as the oldest football club in the world that still plays association football today. The club currently plays in the Northern Premier League.

4. Football Once Paused a World War for a Kickabout

During World War I, British and German soldiers stopped fighting on Christmas Day 1914 in what became known as the Christmas Truce. Many letters and diaries from that time describe soldiers from both sides kicking a football together in no man's land. One British soldier even received a signed football after captaining a winning team in an impromptu match against German troops.

5. Only 8 Countries Have Won the World Cup

The FIFA World Cup has been held since 1930. In all that time, only eight countries have ever won the tournament. Brazil holds the most titles with five. Germany and Italy have each won four times. Other champions include Argentina, France, Uruguay, England, and Spain.

6. Over 170,000 People Attended the Brazil and Uruguay Match at the 1950 World Cup

The deciding match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup between Brazil and Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was attended by an official crowd of 173,850 people. Many believe the real number was closer to 200,000. Uruguay won 2 to 1 in one of the biggest upsets in football history, a moment now known as the "Maracanazo."

7. The Largest Football Stadium Is Located in North Korea

The biggest stadium in the world is not in Europe or South America. It is the Rungrado May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, with a capacity of 150,000 seats. It was built in 1989 and is used for mass performances as well as football. The largest stadium in Europe, Camp Nou in Barcelona, holds just under 100,000 seats.

8. Pelé Is the Only Player Who Has Won Three World Cups

Brazil's Pelé remains the only footballer in history to win the FIFA World Cup three times. He won in 1958, 1962, and 1970. No other player has matched this achievement, making Pelé one of the most celebrated athletes in the history of sport.