One year after the Global Refugee Forum 2023, this initiative is proving that sport is more than just entertainment—it is a vehicle for change. By providing accessible opportunities, football is becoming a platform for equity, inclusion, and lasting transformation.

As more football associations and clubs commit to these inclusion strategies, the future of football looks more diverse, dynamic, and representative of the global community it serves.

Learn more about how football is transforming lives and how you can support this initiative.

Masomah Ali Zada, an Afghan cyclist, defied cultural barriers to pursue her Olympic dream after fleeing Afghanistan. Seeking asylum in France, she competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. She went on to lead the team at Paris 2024, Ali Zada’s journey is a powerful example of the resilience and transformative power of sport in overcoming adversity.

Faced with societal pressures that told women they couldn’t dream or succeed, Ali Zada pursued her passion for cycling, hoping to inspire change in her home country. In France, she was inspired by the success of women in various fields and committed to achieving her own goals. Her Olympic experience not only boosted her confidence in sport but also in life. Overcoming language barriers and adapting to a new education system, she earned her master’s degree in civil engineering, proving that with hope, courage, and resilience, anything is possible.