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KUWAIT: Kuwait last night concluded the first Football for Humanity event, a UN-backed diplomatic sports initiative dedicated this year to children in Palestine.

Held under the patronage of Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Kuwait’s minister of foreign affairs, the initiative was organized in partnership with the UN — represented by UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait. It was also supported by the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, 11 participating embassies and Kuwait’s private sector, in an effort to harness the global popularity of football to advance humanitarian diplomacy and deliver support to children affected by crises.

The youth tournament brought together more than 400 boys and girls aged 8-12 from different nationalities, who played friendly matches in support of children in Palestine. Both the opening and closing ceremonies featured artistic performances expressing solidarity and unity through sport, alongside an exhibition match by Kuwait’s under-17 women’s team at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Youth Center.

Abdulaziz Saud Al-Jarallah, assistant foreign minister for International Organizations Affairs and member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “The success of Football for Humanity reaffirms Kuwait’s commitment to humanitarian diplomacy and global cooperation in promoting peace and supporting vulnerable communities. We value the partnership of the United Nations and participating embassies in Kuwait and look forward to building on this diplomatic engagement in future editions.”

For the first time in Kuwait and the region, matches were self-managed by the children, played without referees, and rewarded with a green card for sportsmanship instead of penalties. The tournament had no scores or rankings, reflecting the initiative’s vision of football as a platform for empathy, ethics and human connection.

Ghada Hatim Eltahir, representative of the UN secretary-general and resident coordinator in Kuwait, and a member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “The success of Football for Humanity reflects the strong partnership between Kuwait and the United Nations in advancing humanitarian efforts and sustainable development. This first edition showed how sport can bridge divides, promote peace and inspire solidarity, and we look forward to building on this momentum in future editions with broader reach and deeper impact.”

Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, chairperson of Al-Nowair non-profit foundation, chair of the organizing committee and member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said: “As the first edition of Football for Humanity concludes, we take great pride in what has been achieved. The initiative reflects a unique Kuwaiti, UN and diplomatic collaboration that opened new horizons for using sport to build peace and promote safe, cohesive communities for children worldwide. What we accomplished was only possible through our partners’ shared belief in equal opportunities for children in crisis-affected communities, and we see this as the beginning of a global movement that puts humanity at the heart of football.”

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, president of the Kuwait Football Association and member of the initiative’s board of trustees, said the organization was “proud” to support Football for Humanity, reflecting its belief in sport’s role in building people, strengthening communities and promoting the values of unity and solidarity.

“This partnership embodies our mission to use football as a platform for social and humanitarian impact, in line with Kuwait’s standing as a hub for humanitarian action. We also value our close collaboration with FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme, which highlights the shared commitment of local and international institutions to the initiative’s noble goals.”

Football for Humanity also announced an extension of its charity football auction until Nov. 20, giving participants worldwide more time to bid on rare and exclusive memorabilia whose proceeds will go to support Palestinian children through the Kuwait Red Crescent Society. Winners will be announced on the initiative’s social media channels.

Items up for auction include a Kuwait national team jersey from the 1982 World Cup signed by legend Jasem Yaqoub, a Barcelona jersey signed by Spanish legend Andres Iniesta, an AC Milan jersey signed by Italy’s World Cup champion Andrea Pirlo, and a Brazil national team jersey signed by Vinicius Junior, Alisson Becker and Raphinha, among others. The collection also features jerseys from Belgium and Italy, and two footballs signed by members of Tunisia’s national team. Each item is accompanied by an official certificate of authenticity.