he sixth edition of the international children’s soccer tournament, which has become a training ground where children from around the world sharpen their soccer skills as well as make new global friends, is set to be launched for the first time in Indonesia. The tournament, officially dubbed as the Sixth Season of the Football for Friendship (F4F) International Children’s Social Project, is sponsored by Gazprom, an official partner of FIFA and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Gazprom, in its statement, highlighted the need to promote important human values, such as friendship, equality, peace and respect for different cultures and nationalities as the sole reasons for them to tailor such a tournament.

“The 6th season of the International children’s social program Football for Friendship is officially open. This year, F4F is supported by 211 countries and regions! For the very first time, young athletes from all parts of the world where football is played will meet on the same field,” Viktor Zubkov, chairman of the board of directors of PJSC Gazprom, said.

“We live in an age where people all over the world seek to unite behind the principles of equality and respect for each other. The project is a crucial element in this process. Football for Friendship gives that opportunity to everyone.”

The Football for Friendship (F4F) Open Draw was held in Moscow. The program has expanded from 64 countries in 2017 to 211 countries and regions in 2018. Thirty-two International Teams of Friendship were formed during the Open Draw, as well as the role for each Young Player from each country (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or forward) was determined. These 32 teams will compete at the Football for Friendship World Championship on June 12.  

Fatma Samoura, FIFA secretary-general, acknowledged that FIFA has offered full support for the program.

“The forum is a perfect example of how football can be used to open doors for girls and boys from all backgrounds, a mission that FIFA supports actively,” Fatma said.

As per the Open Draw, a young ambassador from Indonesia will play as a goalkeeper in the International Team of Friendship. The final events of the season will be held in Moscow from June 8 to 15.

The teams are organized using the “football for friendship” principle — athletes of different nationalities, different genders and different physical abilities will play in one team. The age of the players is 12. Each International mixed Team of Friendship will be trained by Young Coaches — football players who are 14 to 16 year olds from different countries.

More than 5000 media outlets from across the globe will cover the events, as well as the F4F International Children’s Press Center, consisting of young 12-year-old journalists from 211 countries and regions. National selections of participants who will become Young Ambassadors of peace, friendship and equality in their countries have started all over the world.  

The day after the Football for Friendship World Championship, Young Ambassadors will meet at the most important event — The Sixth International Football for Friendship Children’s Forum, where they will discuss ways of promoting the program’s key values across the globe.

During the International Friendship Camp, Young Players under the guidance of Young Coaches and under the supervision of famous players will learn about the F4F key values in the Nine Values School. The UN considers this initiative as a unique educational program.

As an ecological initiative of Football for Friendship, all the 32 International Teams of Friendship will be named after endangered animals from all the continents in the world.

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