This summer, from 11 June to 19 July, the world's biggest international football tournament will bring together 48 nations in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Millions of fans will follow the action, gathering to celebrate, commiserate and enjoy the shared experience that only football can create.
Yet beyond the stadiums and headlines, Christian charities are using the beautiful game to build relationships, strengthen communities and share Jesus.
In June 2026, we hosted a webinar featuring some of these charities.
Watch the webinar recording
Here are some of the organisations making a lasting impact through football, both in the UK and around the world.
Ambassadors Football
Ambassadors Football helps churches share Jesus through the power of football. Across the UK, the charity equips local congregations to connect with their communities through football camps, tournaments and regular outreach programmes. More than 1,500 people hear the Gospel each week through these local initiatives.
George was one of the first children to attend a church football project started with little more than a bag of footballs and a few volunteers. He had never attended church before, but through football, friendship and faith he came to know Jesus. Today, George is baptised, serves as a youth leader and helps run the same football outreach that first welcomed him.
Bridge the Gap
Bridge the Gap uses football to help young people encounter Jesus and become part of a local church community. Through partnerships with churches across the UK, they create welcoming football environments where relationships can grow and faith can be explored.
Jason arrived carrying the effects of a difficult upbringing, bullying and depression. Invited to a Bridge the Gap session in Ipswich, he found friendship, belonging and hope. After attending Alpha and joining a church, he was baptised. Jason says: "With Jesus guiding me, I can finally see a future for myself, a positive future, with hope for a better life."
This summer they have partnered with Alpha to create a one-part episode featuring professional footballers. You can find this here and use this for a World Cup watch party and fits perfectly in as a half time section.
Christians in Sport
For 50 years, Christians in Sport has helped sportspeople live and speak for Jesus. In football, that means supporting Christian players, equipping churches and creating opportunities for people to hear the Gospel through the game they love.
Their resources have enabled hundreds of churches to run football-themed outreach events. One church leader said: "The talk was well pitched and punchy and got people thinking about the identity of Jesus."
The ministry also supports Christian players in the professional game. Former Derby County player Michael Johnson credits a teammate's witness with renewing his faith in Christ, a decision that changed the direction of his life.
Coaching for Christ
Coaching for Christ uses football to share the hope of Jesus with young people in schools, communities and countries around the world. Every week, the charity coaches in 30 schools in the UK and welcomes more than 370 young people to its Youth Academy. Since the ministry began, more than 800,000 young people have heard the Gospel.
The impact reaches far beyond the football pitch. Young people are putting their faith in Jesus, confidence is being restored and families are seeing lasting change in their children. Alongside its work across the UK, Coaching for Christ is now serving communities in the United States and Spain, helping even more young people encounter the life-changing message of Jesus.
F3 (Faith, Football & Fellowship)
F3 exists to share the Gospel and make disciples in the world of football. Founded by professional footballers, the charity helps players grow in their faith and use their influence for Christ.
Daniel, a professional footballer from Nigeria, joined an F3 mission trip to Albania. Having often felt isolated as a Christian, he discovered a community where faith and football came together. Through F3, he found encouragement, friendship and discipleship.
Today, Daniel remains connected to the ministry and is being equipped to live boldly for Jesus in professional football. His story reflects F3's vision to see footballers become ambassadors for Christ wherever they play.
Inspire Football Foundation
For 18 years, Inspire Football Foundation has used football to bring hope, healing and opportunity to young people across Asia.
Roro grew up believing the abuse she experienced as a child was normal. Through Inspire and the support of Coach Ketrin, she discovered her value, found healing and rebuilt hope for the future. Today, she serves as a coach, helping create safe spaces for other vulnerable girls.
Alongside supporting girls, Inspire's programmes are helping boys challenge harmful attitudes towards women. More than 47,000 young men have now committed to treating women with dignity and respect through the charity's Pledge United initiative.
Support Inspire Football Foundation
KICK
KICK transforms young people's lives through sport, mentoring and the love of Jesus. Working with schools, churches and communities across the UK, they help young people discover hope, purpose and belonging.
Through local KICK Academies, churches create football communities where young people can build friendships and explore faith. These academies culminate in an annual national tournament where football and the Gospel come together.
Last year, 41 young people made commitments to follow Jesus through this work. Every new academy creates another opportunity for young people to encounter Christ, supported by trusted adults who invest in their lives both on and off the pitch.
Ubuntu Football
Ubuntu Football uses football and education to create life-changing opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in South Africa.
When Losika Ratshukudu arrived from Botswana, he faced cultural and language barriers and was far from home. Through mentoring, discipleship and education, he flourished. He achieved university entrance qualifications, represented his country at senior international level and was baptised before signing a professional football contract in Europe.
Losika's story reflects Ubuntu's commitment to developing servant leaders who honour Christ in every area of life. Whether graduates pursue football, university or community leadership, they leave equipped to make a lasting difference.
The charities listed are Stewardship partner organisations who responded to our request for information about their activity. If you would like another charity to be added, please contact [email protected].
You can also explore all charities operating in this type of work through our Sports & Recreation cause cross.
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James Bishop
James is our Digital Marketing Manager and works within our Purpose team to connect Christians to the causes they care about and to inspire them to live out the freedom that active generosity offers. He works on website content and email newsletters, advertising on social media and making sure people using search engines can find us. James also contributes to campaigns such as 40acts and the Generosity Report.
Before joining Stewardship in 2025, James worked in marketing departments of all sizes, from a biotech startup to a large civil engineering consultancy and most recently a learning disability charity.
James lives in Surrey and serves in a local church as a director of their non-profit community café and on their AV team. James is reluctantly making a middle-age transition from football to golf and loves making homemade pizza and good coffee.
