Spanish Football National Team Player Lamine Yamal Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador to Promote 'Right to Play'

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) has announced the appointment of 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, a Spanish national football team player for FC Barcelona, as a new Goodwill Ambassador to promote the 'right to play' for every child (announced June 11, 2026, from New York).

Appointed on June 11, designated as 'International Day of Play,' Yamal will leverage his massive social media reach (over 87 million followers) to raise awareness about the importance of play and support children living in humanitarian crises caused by conflict or natural disaster.

'I know firsthand how important it is for children to have a safe space to play,' says Yamal, who has actively participated in initiatives promoting children's rights using his own social media platforms.