As the World Cup kicks off and we eagerly await more magic from McTominay, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the connection between Fair Trade and football. 

When most people think about Fair Trade, they might think about coffee and bananas, but did you know there are all sorts of ways that Fair Trade comes up in football too? From anti-racism campaigns and global solidarity, to the ethical sourcing of footballs and football boots, football has the power to connect communities and encourage people to think more globally about fairness and justice. 

Across the country, clubs, charities and supporters groups already use football as a tool for positive change. Organisations such as Celtic FC Foundation and Aberdeen FC Community Trust run projects tackling poverty, supporting mental health and creating opportunities for young people both on and off the pitch. 

One inspiring example is Street Soccer Scotland, which uses football to support people affected by homelessness and social exclusion. Inspired by the 2003 Homeless World Cup, founder David Duke – who was sleeping rough at the time – secured a small grant to establish the organisation and create opportunities for others facing similar challenges. 

Football also has a long history of bringing people together across borders and encouraging solidarity with communities around the world. Fans regularly rally around international causes through fundraising, humanitarian appeals and community action. Across Europe and beyond, football supporters have organised collections for refugees, supported food justice campaigns and stood together against racism and discrimination. 

In addition to the fantastic community work that goes on, we also know that football is a huge global industry, connected through complex supply chains that stretch across the world. A ball stitched in Pakistan might end up being used on pitches in Scotland, in games watched by millions around the world – or it might end up over the fence in your neighbour’s garden. Fair Trade encourages us to think about those connections, and about the people behind the products we use every day. 

Football’s global reach has also sparked wider conversations about fairness and exploitation in the game. In recent years, major tournaments have prompted a great deal of debate – from concerns over migrant worker conditions linked to the Qatar World Cup, to ongoing questions about money and power in modern football. Increasingly, fans are asking who benefits from the world’s most popular sport – and who is overlooked. 

Sadly, when it comes to the sports ball industry, there is still a long way to go to ensure that workers are treated fairly. Take footballs as an example. Many footballs are hand stitched by workers who have to endure 12 hour shifts for six or seven days a week. Many of these workers are women, who are typically paid a very low unit rate. Because wages are so low, some workers feel they have little option but to keep their children out of school so that they too can stitch balls and contribute to household income (Sports Balls). This not only prevents children from being able to enjoy their childhood, it means that they don’t get access to education or the opportunity to improve their future prospects. 

Fortunately, there are alternatives- things don’t have to carry on this way. 

We don’t need to buy footballs that have been made in poor working conditions. We have the choice to support Fair Trade footballs instead. With a Fair Trade football, workers benefit from better working conditions and a Fair Trade Premium is paid to help improve the social and economic conditions of producer communities. 

We’re chuffed to have a business like Bala Sport here in the UK, who are working to change the game when it comes to footballs. They offer affordable, great quality footballs (and rugby balls!) that put fairness at the heart of the supply chain.  

In other good news, to mark the World Cup this year, Senda has launched the world’s first Fair Trade football boots. While the football boots (or “soccer cleats!”) may only be available in the US at the moment, they show that there is innovation happening in this space, and that there are ways to make football fairer, for everyone. 

Football teaches us about teamwork, respect, fairness and opportunity – and those values should extend beyond the pitch to the workers and communities who help make the game possible. As fans, players, schools, clubs and communities, we all have a role to play in helping build a fairer game and becoming more conscious global citizens through the choices we make. 

If you’re feeling inspired to go out and have a kick about, you can find Fair Trade footballs on sale in person at Rainbow Turtle or from One World Shop, or online at Bala Sport UK. 

Images – Bala balls in Rainbow Turtle’s display (credit Rainbow Turtle)