Taking place just ahead of the 2026 Men's World Cup Final, this global celebration with the UN Member States Friends of Football brings together young leaders, changemakers, policymakers, UN entities, governments, civil society, private sector partners, athletes and advocates to celebrate football and sports as powerful drivers of youth mental health and well-being.
Spotlight Session: Youth Leadership, Connection and Everyday Mental Well-being Through Sport A series of partner-led spotlight sessions showcasing real-world solutions at the intersection of sport and youth mental health, surfacing diverse perspectives, lived experience and scalable solutions and models. Featuring contributions by: Ashoka Sport for Changemaking Center for Healing and Justice through Sport together with Luta Pela Paz FIBA Foundation together with World YMCA and YMCA Greater New York Grand Challenges Canada ILGA World together with Sport & Rights Alliance Special Olympics UNHCR And more! With insights from entities across the UN system, including UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, UN Women and more. One World, One Game, One Goal is part of the United Nations Youth Office's flagship initiative on Youth Mental Health and Well-Being, advancing an important shift from fragmented, individual approaches to a holistic ecosystem model. Mental health is shaped not only by healthcare systems but also by environments, education, community, digital spaces, and opportunities for connection. This initiative brings those elements together.
