Zero Malaria FC: uniting heroes on and off the pitch to beat malaria.

Throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026, football legends, athletes, artists, scientists, young advocates and global health partners came together as one team behind a shared conviction: that ending malaria is a match we can win. By lending their voices, influence and leadership to Zero Malaria FC, they demonstrated that every player has a role to play in tackling malaria.

As the FIFA World Cup comes to a close, one team has shown that football’s greatest strength extends far beyond the pitch. Through Zero Malaria FC, football legends, athletes, artists, scientists, global health leaders and young advocates came together to demonstrate that protecting lives is a team effort, and that, if everyone plays their part,  ending malaria is a goal within our reach.

The stats

• 15 champions engaged representing an audience of almost 10M
• 16 countries represented across four continents
• 14 global organisations and partners engaged including the Gates Foundation and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria
• 1.07M estimated digital reach across 123 mentions
• Youth organization members mobilized across X countries with national activation launched in Benin, Burkina Faso and South Sudan

The ZMFC game plan

Throughout the tournament, the Zero Malaria FC strategy was simple, to transform football’s global reach into shared action against one of the world’s deadliest diseases.

Digital storytelling, athlete and influencer amplification, youth engagement, policy dialogues, and collaborations with global organizations and health institutions brought together athletes, scientists, leaders, youth advocates and major global health organizations with football fans across the globe.

Former football stars Luis Figo and Khalilou Fadiga were joined by South African artist, RBM Partnership to End Malaria Board Member and advocate Yvonne Chaka Chaka, former Secretary General of FIFA Fatma Samoura and Hicham El Amrani, Former CAF General Secretary, among others. Global health organizations including Gates Foundation, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, Target Malaria, the ONE campaign joined the ZMFC ranks and, as the World Cup unfolded, Zero Malaria FC launched a ‘Supporters Club’ that invited youth, content creators and advocacy organizations to share their support for the campaign.

Together, these efforts reinforced a simple but powerful message: if we bring together our different skills, tools and tactics, malaria doesn’t stand a chance.

Yacine Djibo, Founder and Executive Director, Speak Up Africa said: “The FIFA World Cup reminded us that football has the power to unite billions. Zero Malaria FC showed that this same power can help accelerate the fight against malaria by inspiring leadership and collaboration. At Speak Up Africa we are proud to champion this global partnership in action, bringing the momentum of football fandom to one of the biggest health challenges of our time.”

Football legend and Zero Malaria FC co-captain Luis Figo said: “Football has always been about bringing together a diverse team around a shared ambition, and it’s exciting to see that same spirit being used to raise awareness about malaria. Ending malaria is a challenge we can overcome and it’s inspiring to see scientists, health workers, advocates and communities all playing their part. Every supporter helps us move one step closer to a malaria-free world and I’m proud to be a part of Zero Malaria FC.”

The tactics to win

Over the past two decades, countries have prevented millions of malaria cases and deaths. But malaria doesn’t wait. Sustained financing, continued innovation, community action and strong political leadership remain essential to ensure this progress continues. For the first time, countries have access to a growing line-up of powerful new tools – including vaccines, next-generation mosquito nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention – reaching more communities and bringing the goal of ending malaria closer than ever.

The Zero Malaria FC campaign has expanded public awareness, strengthened partnerships, elevated African leadership, and created new opportunities to engage the global football community in support of malaria elimination.

Dr Michael Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, said: “Ending malaria will take more than any one organization, country or sector can achieve alone. It requires scientists, health workers, governments, communities, advocates and partners all working towards the same goal. This World Cup, the Zero Malaria FC captured that spirit of teamwork – reminding us that every player has a role to play and that, together, a malaria-free future is within reach.”

A lasting legacy

Although the FIFA World Cup has concluded, Zero Malaria FC continues. The next chapter of Zero Malaria FC will continue to build on the partnerships, champions, and community engagement established during the FIFA World Cup, driving momentum in anticipation of the Summer Youth Olympic Games held in Dakar, Senegal this October and the African Cup of Nations taking place in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda in June 2027.

Football reminds us that victories are never won alone. Ending malaria will be no different. Every supporter, every partner and every champion who joined Zero Malaria FC has shown that when we play as one team, protecting lives becomes a goal within reach.