San Marino celebrates UEFA Grassroots Week in partnership with EA Sports FC Futures

UEFA Grassroots Week is the annual event that celebrates the football community across Europe, shining a spotlight on the millions of people who bring the world’s most beautiful game to life every week: from boys and girls kicking a ball for the very first time, to clubs, coaches and volunteers who keep their local football communities connected and active.

This year, from 22 to 29 September 2025, the aim is to highlight the power of grassroots football to inspire, include and unite. It promotes participation, ongoing opportunities for inclusion and chances to start playing football, coaching and refereeing, while also ensuring that football is accessible to everyone – with no one left out. In 2025, UEFA Grassroots Week is – for the first time – held in partnership with EA SPORTS FC FUTURES.

UEFA and its member associations want to underline the crucial importance of grassroots football for player development, for strengthening communities, and for ensuring that the world’s most beautiful game can thrive at every level. It is worth remembering that UEFA reinvests 97% of its revenue back into the football ecosystem, with grassroots football as a central pillar of this commitment.

In San Marino, football is the most widely played sport, with hundreds of young players, as well as programmes dedicated to training new coaches and referees, and inclusion projects (Football is Inclusion), direct access to football for the youngest girls (UEFA Playmakers) and the involvement of former players (ASCO 35), along with tailor-made activities for specific groups of citizens (Walking Football, open to Over 50s). In short, the San Marino Football Federation is doing everything possible to ensure that the grassroots football community – the true foundation of every country’s football system – can keep growing and provide a safe home for all lovers of this magnificent game. In this context, on Sunday 29 September – from 10:00 to 12:00 at the San Marino Stadium – the Grassroots Day will take place, a morning devoted to grassroots football in the Republic. Participation is free and anyone can join one of the most important events organised by the FSGC.

“UEFA Grassroots Week celebrates the journey of players at every level, from their very first kicks of a ball at school or in their local clubs, building skills, confidence and a love for a game that can last a lifetime. It also recognises the dedication of coaches and volunteers in creating an environment where every player can feel safe, supported and able to grow. Grassroots is where football begins – in clubs, schools and communities – and this week we want to honour everyone who gives every player the chance to play, learn and love the game of football,” said Olivier Doglia, UEFA Chief of Football Development.