Shakira and The Weeknd join FIFA’s education push ahead of 2026 World Cup

October 28, 2025 – Radio 854 Music News:

Our radio station Radio 854 thrives on pop culture, global icons and big-stage moments — so here’s some news that brings music, football and real-world impact together. Two major names in music — Shakira and The Weeknd — have stepped up to join the advisory board of the FIFA / Global Citizen education initiative ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

What’s the initiative about

Here are the key facts:

• FIFA and Global Citizen have launched the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, with a target of US$ 100 million, to expand access to education and football-based learning for children around the world.

• The advisory board is non-fiduciary but influential: it includes representatives from sport, entertainment and philanthropy. Shakira and The Weeknd are part of this board, alongside others such as Serena Williams, Ivanka Trump and Hugh Jackman.

• One clever detail: For the World Cup 2026, FIFA will donate US$1 from every ticket sold to this fund.

• The fund will split efforts roughly in two: half of the proceeds go to grassroots education in over 200 countries, and the other half support the FIFA Football for Schools programme (in partnership with UNESCO) which uses football to support learning, life-skills and community development.

Why it matters (and why you’ll want to talk about it on Radio 854)

• Music meets sport with purpose: As a station focused on pop, oldies and top 40, fans love when the stars they listen to also make a difference. Shakira and The Weeknd joining this initiative shows the crossing-over of the music world and major global sporting events.

• Global appeal: With the World Cup 2026 being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, this initiative has broad reach — connecting international football audiences with social impact.

• Education as a universal theme: Even if you’re not a football fan, the idea of using sport and celebrity influence to support education is a strong, positive story for any listener demographic.

• Good content for your on-air chatter: You could segue this into a music-track tie-in (“when you listen to Shakira or The Weeknd, you’re hearing someone who’s also supporting change”), or even talk about how sport and music often collaborate around major events.

• Engagement opportunity: Maybe Radio 854 could invite listeners to reflect on what “education through sport” means to them, or spotlight local youth programmes that benefit from similar support.

A little biography flash: Shakira & The Weeknd

• Shakira: Colombian singer-songwriter well known globally, but also deeply involved in education and philanthropy — she founded the “Pies Descalzos” Foundation, which has built schools in Colombia. In her statement about the board she said: “I’m excited … to focus on education, a cause I have dedicated my life to.”

• The Weeknd: Canadian artist, one of the most streamed in the world, bringing his massive fan-base into this board membership adds star-power and potential for mobilising resources and attention.

What comes next

• Organisations (NGOs, charitable programmes) providing access to education and sport for children are now invited to apply for grants (up to USD 250,000) from the fund.

• The first round of grantees is expected to be announced in early 2026.

• With every World Cup ticket sale contributing to the fund, fans attending the matches are indirectly investing in education — an interesting takeaway for listeners.

• With the board now public, we’ll likely see further announcements of campaigns, fundraising events and celebrity-led initiatives tied to the fund.

Here are a few on-air plugs or article angles you might like:

• “When you hear Shakira or The Weeknd tonight, remember: they’re not just making hits — they’re making a difference. They’ve joined FIFA’s education push ahead of the 2026 World Cup.”

• “Music stars + football = global impact. The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund just added Shakira and The Weeknd to its advisory board as part of a US$100 million drive to help kids around the world.”

• “What does a music icon do when they’re not topping the charts? Join forces with sport’s biggest event to help kids get access to education. That’s what’s happening now with Shakira & The Weeknd.”

• “Fans who buy World Cup tickets in 2026 will be indirectly supporting education programmes. That’s one US dollar per ticket going to the fund.”