Equality, diversity and inclusion
Article summary
We are committed to ensuring that European football welcomes everyone.
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Article body
Football brings communities together, provides an outlet for expression and fosters a sense of belonging. To unlock football's potential to drive positive social change, it is vital that the game is open for everyone to enjoy, play and learn.
"Football, with its universal language, can break barriers and unite hearts. By opening its arms to all, … it creates a level playing field where everyone feels welcome."
FootbALL
Launched in June 2023, UEFA’s FootbALL programme lies at the heart of our efforts to work with stakeholders to safeguard the game’s inclusivity and fully leverage its influence to improve society.
The programme is underpinned by three pillars: campaign, platform and activation. Its core message, "In football, everyone is welcome", connects our social sustainability activities, events and campaigns.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit
To help organisations and individuals navigate complex and often sensitive topics, we launched our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Toolkit in May 2026.
Developed specifically for football, the toolkit encourages everyone involved in the game to consider how they can contribute to creating a more inclusive environment on and off the pitch, as well as in the stands.
Rather than prescribing what should or should not be done, the guidance is designed to support learning, reflection and dialogue.
It also recognises that EDI challenges vary significantly across the European football landscape. Initiatives should therefore reflect local and national contexts and be shaped by the experiences and needs of the communities they serve.
Inside UEFA
From developing inclusive language guidelines to ensuring accessibility, our commitment to equality starts with our own staff at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
We review regulations and policies, identifying potential risks and mitigating actions across financial, operational, reputational and strategic activities. We also prioritise workplace equality, conducting regular, confidential surveys to evaluate how our community lives diversity and inclusion so we can adapt to employee expectations and requirements.
Since 2021, we have worked with external auditors to ensure that our salary and compensation structures are equal for men and women across the organisation. Audits of the structures are performed on a yearly basis, to ensure that there is continuous review of the situation, and that we continue our efforts on ensuring equal pay for equal work.
