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Captain · Goodwill Ambassador
Alphonso Davies
Canada
Born in a refugee camp in Ghana after his family fled war in Liberia, later resettled in Canada, now captain of the national team and a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
Source: UNHCR
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Europe’s Game
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22 Countries. One Pitch.
UNRIC Feature · World Cup 2026
Europe’s Game
for the
Global Goals
As the world turns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, UNRIC looks at the tournament through a European and United Nations lens: refugee stories, inclusion, health, equality and practical actions fans can take across all 22 countries covered by the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe.
UNHCR · The UN Refugee Agency
Eleven Players.
The Gamechanging XI
Eleven Players.
Eleven Stories.
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, UNHCR unveiled a symbolic team of footballers with refugee or displacement backgrounds, captained by Alphonso Davies. Their message is simple: when children find safety, welcome and opportunity, they can change the game, for themselves and for others.
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Defender
Antonio Rüdiger
Germany
His family’s story is connected to displacement from Sierra Leone to Germany, where he grew up to become one of the world’s leading defenders and a voice for inclusion.
Source: UNHCR
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Goalkeeper
Asmir Begović
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fled the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a child, finding safety abroad before returning to represent his country at a World Cup.
Source: UNHCR
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Winger
Awer Mabil
Australia
Born in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya and resettled in Australia, he went on to represent his country at a World Cup.
Source: UNHCR
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Forward
Ali Al-Hamadi
Iraq
He fled Iraq as a child to find safety in the United Kingdom and later helped Iraq qualify for its first World Cup in 40 years.
Source: UNHCR
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Forward
Ermedin Demirović
Bosnia and Herzegovina
His father fled conflict in Bosnia and built a new life in Germany; Demirović now represents Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Source: UNHCR
The Full Starting XI
Eleven players, one symbolic line-up. Alongside the six featured here, the Gamechanging Team includes Eduardo Camavinga, Victor Moses, Nestory Irankunda and more, each with a story of displacement and resilience.
Meet the Full Team →Player portraits and team-sheet visuals: © UNHCR · AI-Assisted imagery. Alphonso Davies photo: © UNHCR.
UEFA · World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Europe at the World Cup
Europe is sending more teams to the World Cup than ever before: sixteen in all. But the commitment runs deeper than the scoreline. UEFA and 13 of those 16 national associations have already joined the UN’s Football for the Goals, pledging to put the Global Goals into play both on and off the pitch.
England
Scotland
France
Germany
Spain
Portugal
Netherlands
Belgium
Norway
Sweden
Croatia
Switzerland
Austria
Bosnia & H.
Türkiye
Czechia
Highlighted: country or football association linked to UNRIC’s audience
i
A note on coverage. UNRIC covers the United Kingdom as one country: England and Scotland compete as separate football associations, not as separate UN Member States. Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, Switzerland and Türkiye qualified for the tournament but fall outside UNRIC’s Western Europe mandate. Sporting qualification facts are confirmed by UEFA; UNRIC coverage is based on the Centre’s published country list.
Why this matters: the page avoids treating football associations as UN Member States. England and Scotland are listed as qualified football associations; the United Kingdom is the country in UNRIC’s mandate.
All 22 UNRIC Countries
22 Countries. One Pitch.
No One Left Behind.
You don’t have to be on the pitch to be in the game. Only some of UNRIC’s 22 countries made it to the World Cup, but every one of them can play for the Global Goals. Here is one concrete action for each, whether they are chasing the trophy or cheering from home.
Belgium
PlayingBrussels, the heart of Europe and the UN in the region.
Join the Football for the Goals CupFrance
PlayingCamavinga and a squad shaped by diversity and inclusion.
Share a refugee solidarity actionGermany
PlayingRüdiger and football’s ongoing work for inclusion and against racism.
Promote inclusive sportNetherlands
PlayingMatch-day habits can make football more sustainable, from travel to food.
Choose low-carbon match-day travelNorway
PlayingA return to the spotlight, and a chance to link football with health, youth and climate.
Take an ActNow climate actionPortugal
PlayingA football culture that can carry the Global Goals to a wide audience.
Organise a community watch actionSpain
PlayingFootball’s visibility can help amplify equality in sport.
Support women and girls in sportSweden
PlayingInclusion and social trust through community sport.
Take a local community actionUnited Kingdom
England & Scotland playingSport, mental health awareness and refugee inclusion.
Start a “reach out” conversationItaly
CheeringNot on the pitch this year, but still part of the Global Goals.
Compete through Football for the GoalsDenmark
CheeringMatch-day mobility can become part of climate action.
Bike or use public transport on match dayFinland
CheeringCommunity sport can help create welcoming spaces for newcomers.
Highlight an inclusive sport storyIceland
CheeringSmall island and Nordic communities show why climate action matters everywhere.
Take an ActNow energy actionIreland
CheeringCommunity sport that brings people together.
Host an inclusive football momentGreece
CheeringRefugees and host communities, connected through sport.
Support inclusion through sportCyprus
CheeringIsland sustainability and responsible events.
Reduce waste during match eventsMalta
CheeringA small island with a stake in our ocean.
Take a Goal 14 (Life Below Water) actionLuxembourg
CheeringA multilingual heart of Europe.
Share UN content in multiple languagesAndorra
Special statusA mountain nation on the front line of a changing climate.
Choose a climate actionMonaco
Special statusSport and sustainability side by side.
Promote responsible event habitsSan Marino
Small stateA UEFA member association and a reminder that small states matter.
Share a “no one left behind” messageHoly See
Special statusA reminder that sport can support dialogue, dignity and peace.
Promote football as dialogueAction Zones
Take Action During the Tournament
Football can help raise awareness and create spaces for inclusion. Here are six simple actions fans across Europe can take during the World Cup, each grounded in the work of the United Nations and its agencies.
Refugees & Inclusion
Know a Story
Learn one player’s displacement story and share one verified UNHCR resource with your network.
Explore the Gamechanging TeamHealth & Well-Being
Check In
During the tournament, check in with someone: “Are you OK?” Sport can open the door to conversations about mental health.
WHO · Sport for HealthGender Equality
Level the Field
Watch, share or support women’s football with the same attention as the men’s game.
UN Human Rights · OHCHRClimate & Responsible Viewing
Play It Greener
Choose low-carbon transport to a screening, reduce food waste and avoid single-use plastics on match day.
Take an ActNow actionRespect & Anti-Racism
Stand Together
Challenge abuse online and offline, report hate speech and help build inclusive, welcoming fan spaces.
UN Chronicle · FAREThe Global Goals
Join the Cup
Join the challenge through the AWorld app and collect points for SDG actions until 25 July 2026.
Join Football for the GoalsFinal Whistle · Your Move
Game On for the Global Goals
The tournament brings attention. The Global Goals give that attention purpose. Join the UN Football for the Goals Cup, take part in the AWorld app and turn match day into concrete action, right up to 25 July 2026.
25 May
World Football Day and Football for the Goals Cup opening
11 Jun–19 Jul
World Cup 2026 tournament window
25 Jul
Final whistle: last day to record actions
Sources & Credits
Where This Comes From
Editorial content draws on official United Nations sources wherever possible; sporting facts are limited to public tournament information from UEFA.
UNHCR: Gamechanging TeamSymbolic refugee XI captained by Alphonso Davies. Player visuals AI-assisted. unhcr.org/gamechangers
UN Human Rights (OHCHR)High Commissioner Volker Türk on women in sport, July 2025. ohchr.org
WHO: Sport for HealthPromoting health and well-being through sport, in support of SDG 3. who.int
UN Chronicle: Football against RacismArchival background on the FARE experience and anti-discrimination work in football. un.org/chronicle
UN World Football Day25 May is a United Nations observance highlighting football’s role in peace, development, health, gender equality and inclusion. un.org/observances/football-day
Football for the Goals / ActNowUN campaign and AWorld app, 25 May–25 July 2026. un.org/actnow
UNRICUnited Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe. 22 countries, 13 languages. unric.org
UEFAQualified European teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (sporting facts only). uefa.com
ImageryUNHCR Gamechanging Team visuals: © UNHCR, AI-assisted where labelled. Football for the Goals visuals: © United Nations.