QF and Wanda Group team up to offer ‘Students of Change’ the sporting chance of a lifetime

Qatar Foundation and Wanda Group, the Chinese conglomerate and FIFA Partner, have unveiled a collaboration focused on inspiring a young generation of football fans at upcoming FIFA events – including the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East.

The collaboration, which stems from the Wanda Group's exclusive marketing rights as a global FIFA Partner, will focus on the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021™ and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Wanda will enable students at Qatar Foundation’s (QF) schools and universities, and young members of QF’s community sport programs, to become part of Wanda’s exclusive FIFA Flag Bearer Programme.

By explaining how they are a Student of Change – determined to make a positive impact on themselves, their communities, and the world – applicants will be able to put their names forward to proudly carry flags onto the pitch at FIFA World Cup™ matches next year, as well as at the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™ which takes place in Qatar from November 30 to December 18. Between 60-80 successful applicants will be chosen to be Wanda FIFA Flag Bearers at FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021™ and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ matches, while also receiving match tickets.

“Our Students of Change campaign seeks to inspire people from all walks of life – and especially our youth – to recognize that they can help to shape a better future for our world through their ideas, mindsets, and actions, and that by being part of our QF community, they can make a genuine difference to humanity,” said Machaille Hassan Al-Naimi, President of Community Development, QF.

“Within QF, we have so many young change-makers with ambition, energy, and the urge to explore and innovate, who are dedicated to improving themselves, their communities, and the world. Through our collaboration with Wanda Group and thanks to their partnership with FIFA, many of them will now have the chance of a lifetime – to be part of one of the most exciting times in Qatar’s history, as our nation prepares to host the Middle East’s first FIFA World Cup.

“This opportunity reflects how committing to be a Student of Change with QF opens up incredible experiences that stretch beyond our classrooms, lecture halls, and community programs. QF is delighted to be collaborating with the Wanda Group, whose FIFA Flag Bearer Programme will enable the successful young applicants to be ambassadors for the values, vision, and culture of Qatar, and the potential to drive change that we all possess, on the global stage.”

John Zeng, President of Wanda’s Cultural Industry Group, said: “Since signing as a FIFA Partner, we have been responsible for delivering thousands of unique experiences to young football fans all over the world.

“We’re happy that through our collaboration with Qatar Foundation we are able to provide opportunities for local children in the FIFA Arab Cup and FIFA World Cup’s host market to share in the excitement of hosting world football’s greatest events.”

Through the collaboration between Wanda and QF, the opportunity to be part of the Wanda FIFA Flag Bearer Programme has been opened up to young people of all abilities who are studying at QF’s school and universities, or who are enrolled in QF community programs.

When applying, they will outline what they believe being a Student of Change means and how they aim to be one, through their personal growth and skills development, the way they benefit others, and how they look to challenge perceptions and stereotypes.

QF’s Students of Change campaign reflects the organization’s commitment to being a driver of change that benefits lives and societies, through reimagining what learning can be by pioneering new and progressive approaches to education; providing avenues for everyone from researchers and innovators to those who want to be active citizens to realize their change-making potential; and building and evolving a diverse ecosystem that offers opportunities for everyone to discover how they can make a difference.