October 7 – FIFA and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have signed a four-year memorandum of understanding to promote a healthy lifestyle and ensure tobacco-free environments at football stadiums.
The MoU has four pillars: health promotion, policy alignment, strengthening the health legacy of FIFA events and collaboration on educational health. The WHO is to provide advice to football’s world governing body about healthy diets, food safety, mass gatherings and the risks associated with alcohol.
On Friday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that FIFA and the UN agency were “natural partners”.
“We finally realised that actually we have also a social mission in FIFA, a social mission that we have to take seriously, that we have to take on responsibly,” said Infantino.
“Of course organisations like co-sponsors of FIFA you mentioned Coca-Cola, McDonalds, they are also as well progressing, making steps. The world is not perfect.”
The WHO primarily campaigns around nutrition, food security, healthy eating, occupational health and substance abuse.
“We believe that WHO technical expertise on health, aligned with FIFA’s global reach can really help to ensure we can reach people with the information they need to lead an active and healthy life,” said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom.
The MoU is an agreement that is not legally binding.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1730576605labto1730576605ofdlr1730576605owedi1730576605sni@o1730576605fni1730576605