11 June 2026 — As the world marks International Day of Play and turns its attention to the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Right To Play is launching No Child on the Sidelines, a new global initiative to help more children access the power of sport and play to learn, grow, heal and belong.

Led by Right To Play, in partnership with Global Citizen, and aligned with the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, No Child on the Sidelines will strengthen community-based organisations working with children in underserved communities around the world. Through a $5-million investment over four years from Global Affairs Canada, the initiative will expand access to sport- and play-based education for children ages three to 18, with nearly half of programmable funding flowing directly to local civil society organisations.

The initiative is expected to support approximately 15 grassroots and civil society organisations through two-year grants, technical support, peer learning and a community of practice. It will focus on helping local partners deliver safe, inclusive and effective programmes that use play to improve learning, confidence, well-being and connection to community.

“Play is not a luxury. It is how children learn, build confidence, form relationships and begin to recover from adversity,” said Jessie Thomson, CEO of Right To Play International. “As Canada helps host the world’s game, we have a powerful opportunity to show that sport can be more than a spectacle. It can be a path to education, healing and opportunity for children who are too often left on the sidelines.”

No Child on the Sidelines builds on Right To Play’s more than 25 years of experience using play-based approaches to help children stay in school, overcome trauma, resist exploitation and build the skills they need to thrive. Right To Play works in some of the world’s most challenging contexts, creating safe and positive environments where children can learn and succeed through play.