Zurich, Switzerland — November 6, 2025. In a remarkable show of global unity, FIFA staff have broken a Guinness World Record for the greatest number of nationalities represented in a single football match. The event, held at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich on November 5, 2025, brought together players from over 107 different countries, marking an unprecedented celebration of diversity within the sport.
The friendly match took place on FIFA’s main training pitch, where employees, volunteers, and partners joined forces from every continent. Guinness World Records officials confirmed that the new figure surpasses the previous record of 60 nationalities, achieved in London in 2019. “This record isn’t just about numbers; it’s about what football represents — inclusion, diversity, and unity,” said Sophia Diniz, an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, as she presented the certificate on the field.
A Celebration of Unity Through Sport
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the occasion as a defining moment for the organization’s global vision. “No matter where we come from, we all speak the same language when we step on the pitch,” Infantino said after the match. “This event shows that football has the power to unite the world in peace and friendship.” The symbolic 90-minute game saw players from all backgrounds compete with enthusiasm, camaraderie, and mutual respect.
Participants were divided into Team Unity and Team Respect, representing FIFA’s core values. The match ended in a friendly 5–5 draw — but the real victory was shared understanding. “It felt like playing in the World Cup of cultures,” said Aisha Al-Hassan, a FIFA staff member from Nigeria. “Everyone spoke different languages, but we understood each other perfectly on the field.”
Later that evening, Guinness World Records confirmed the official count of 107 nationalities — spanning from Argentina to Zimbabwe — making it one of the most internationally diverse sporting events ever recorded. FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura noted that the achievement reflects the organization’s deeper mission. “At a time when the world faces division, this record is proof that football can build bridges and foster understanding,” she said.
The event forms part of FIFA’s ongoing “Football Unites the World” initiative, launched in 2022 to promote inclusion and cultural exchange through sport. Following Zurich’s success, FIFA announced plans to replicate similar multicultural matches in Africa, Asia, and South America during 2026. “This is more than a record,” Infantino added. “It’s the beginning of a global movement — one that reminds us we are all on the same team.”
