How UEFA Football in Schools and Lidl are changing children's lives across Europe
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
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Boosted by Lidl’s support, national associations across Europe are using Football in Schools to give millions of children more chances to play the game. Here’s how six of them are doing so.
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We launched the UEFA Football in Schools programme to give children across Europe positive experiences of playing football – irrespective of their ability, gender, ethnicity or religion.
With the backing of our strategic partner Lidl, we support our national associations to run grassroots events and initiatives, allowing more children and young people to benefit from regular exercise, inclusive environments, and the values and life skills that football develops, including fair play, respect, teamwork and leadership.
In its first four years alone (2020–2024), Football in Schools helped more than seven million children in 41,500 schools, training nearly 111,000 teachers to deliver coaching sessions.
A further €11m was allocated to the programme between 2024 and 2028 – with that initial funding often sparking additional investment from associations, governmental bodies and other institutions. Lidl – announced as the exclusive partner of Football in Schools earlier this year – has added further momentum, bringing nutritional expertise and support to Football in Schools events.
Below, we examine a few examples of how Football in Schools is making an impact across Europe.
What is UEFA Football in Schools?
Football in Schools provides funding for Europe's 55 national football associations to run activities in conjunction with educational authorities and schools. It’s an important part of fulfilling our grassroots vision: providing everybody, everywhere, with the opportunity to play football in a safe, fun and positive environment.
Lidl football festivals
Recent Football in Schools festivals in Latvia, Portugal and Northern Ireland demonstrated how the programme combines sport with learning in fun, inclusive environments, helping children understand the connection between being active and making healthy choices.
Around 400 children took part in the Riga, Lisbon and Belfast events, each featuring small-sided matches, skills challenges and activity stations – all designed to build confidence, encourage movement and instil a love of the game.
At each event, Lidl helped participants learn about the importance of an active lifestyle and balanced nutrition, running activities and providing snacks such as fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts and hydration to keep them energised throughout a day focused on enjoyment and maximum game time for everybody.
Football as a common language in Andorra
Three education systems – Andorran, French and Spanish – operate within the 468km2 of Andorra, each with its own structure, methods and language. Football in Schools’ presence across all three is a powerful demonstration of the universality of sport.
The Andorran Football Federation (FAF) works closely with schools and the government to adapt Football in Schools to each setting, keeping sessions and communications simple, visual and accessible so language never becomes a barrier to taking part. The programme currently runs in seven schools – with interest growing among others.
"Three education systems, three different realities, but one common language that brings them together: football."
A lasting grassroots base in Azerbaijan
The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan’s (AFFA) Football in Schools programme has expanded every year since it launched, from operating in 15 schools in 2021 to targeting 250 by the end of this year.
Rather than relying on external coaches, teachers are trained to lead inclusive football sessions, backed by ongoing monitoring, coaching resources and equipment. The programme has become part of a structured pathway from school football to playing with local clubs.
Around 20,000 children have taken part to date – many enjoying football for the first time.
"Every child deserves to experience football in a fun, safe environment. That is what our Football in Schools programme delivers."
Football storytelling magic in Italy
More than 19,000 children took part in the Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) Football in Schools programme in 2025/26 alone.
Known locally as Uno-Due-Calcia, it introduces children aged three to five to football through imagination and play, using storytelling to teach movement, cooperation and confidence – an approach shared by the UEFA Playmakers programme.
Sessions are led by FIGC or qualified club coaches linked to schools, with free training available for teachers and coaches to help expand the programme’s reach.
"Uno-Due-Calcia introduces pre-school children to football through play and physical activity, promoting a positive, inclusive and enjoyable first experience."
Lifelong love in Lithuania
Around 30,000 young Lithuanians take part in the Lithuanian Football Federation’s (LFF) Football in Schools programme – Futboliukas – every year, part of wider efforts to encourage healthy habits and long-term engagement through football.
The nationwide eight-month programme guides children aged three to seven through a series of football activities with educational themes, all designed to build movement skills, teamwork, confidence and inclusion along the way.
Monthly activity plans, digital resources and practical ideas mean teachers can deliver sessions without a football background, and more than 400 institutions are now involved in the programme. Links with local clubs offer children a route to continue playing beyond their early years.
"Every child's first kick should spark joy, confidence and belonging, opening the door to a lifelong love of football."
Daily movement in Sweden
The underlying principle of Skolbollen, the Swedish Football Association's (SvFF) Football in Schools programme, is to make physical movement part of the school day for children between pre-school and year nine.
Schools receive a starter kit of footballs, bibs and cones alongside training, certification and a guide to more than 100 adaptable games, helping staff involve children of every ability.
More than 2,100 schools take part, with nearly a third having established a partnership with a local club to offer children a path into organised football.
"By keeping our Football in Schools programme simple and accessible, we believe that putting a ball in children's hands naturally inspires movement."
Forging club connections in Switzerland
The Swiss Football Association's Doppelpass programme links schools and clubs, helping children’s first football experiences grow into a lasting connection.
Twenty-eight new school-club connections were recorded during the programme’s latest iteration, half of which involve after-school sport activities and ten designed specifically for girls.
Doppelpass supports the teachers and coaches who run the sessions, combining resources with education and training opportunities. The ambition is for the programme to become firmly embedded in school sport, with next steps including the creation of online coach training.
European Week of Sport
UEFA Grassroots Week takes place during the European Week of Sport (23-30 September), which brings together millions of participants through hundreds of thousands of activities, encouraging people to make physical activity part of their everyday lives.
This year, the #BeActive campaign emphasises that sport and physical activity should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age, background or ability.