RABAT, Morocco — FIFA employees have made history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the most multinational football game ever played, bringing together participants from 69 different countries on the same pitch.
The friendly match, held on Wednesday in Sale, Morocco, featured 69 FIFA staff members — each representing a unique nationality — who all played at least 10 minutes in the record-breaking encounter.
Organized as part of FIFA’s efforts to celebrate global unity and cultural diversity, the game showcased the universal power of football to connect people from all walks of life.
“At the heart of it, we realized we could do something that truly celebrates our diversity,” said Solomon Mudege, FIFA’s Head of Development Programs for Africa and a native of Zimbabwe. “This match symbolizes what football stands for — a shared passion that transcends borders.”
Both men and women took turns in a continuous rotation, ensuring everyone had time on the pitch and that the game adhered to Guinness World Record guidelines. Passports from dozens of countries were displayed on the referee’s table — a striking symbol of inclusion and the global reach of the world’s most popular sport.
The new record surpasses the previous milestone set in 2019 by the UK-based organization Equal Playing Field.
The event was held in conjunction with FIFA’s establishment of a new regional hub in Rabat, part of the organization’s growing presence in Morocco ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The North African nation will co-host the tournament alongside Spain and Portugal and is already investing heavily in stadium renovations, transportation upgrades, and hospitality infrastructure.
“Football unites the entire world,” said Fatou Camara, a Malian development manager with FIFA’s Africa office. “This match was a beautiful reminder that no matter where we come from, the game speaks one language — football.”
