As the football Club World Cup gets underway in the United States, on the other side of the globe, Japanese club Gamba Osaka has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development by becoming the first team in the country’s professional league to join the United Nations’ Football for the Goals initiative.

The initiative provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and promote the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Shinji Ito, an external affairs executive for the football team, Gamba Osaka, told UN News at the United Nations Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka that supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is important to his club.

“As a football club we can work with supporters towards changing attitudes and behaviour on issues like the environment, climate, sustainability, health and disability, which are part of the SDGs.”

The multicoloured SDG logo is prominently displayed at the club’s stadium in Osaka, Japan’s second largest city, it has featured on the team kit and players have visited local schools to explain why the SDGs are important.

At the stadium, efforts are made to encourage fans to separate recycling trash, a behaviour which many in Japan believe needs to be highlighted and stepped up. Paper cups have replaced plastic cups and the player’s team shirts are made from more sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials.

“We are seeing increased awareness about the importance of the SDGs,” said Mr Ito. “We recognize that this is a long-term commitment and that significant change takes place over 10 years or longer.”

Team effort

Gamba Osaka is now signed up to the UN’s Football for the Goals initiative, making it a first for Japan’s professional game.

The initiative aims to inspire and guide all those involved in the sport who see the value of sustainability, from confederations, national associations, leagues and clubs to players’ associations, organized fan groups, as well as media and commercial partners.

It’s encouraging them to build on existing sustainability approaches and to implement strategies that lead to behavioural change.

Launched in 2022, at a time when progress towards the SDGs was and continues to falter, there are now some 370 entities signed up.

“The global football industry is extremely influential and has the power to communicate with billions of people across the world,” said Maher Nasser, Commissioner-General of the United Nations at Expo 2025.

“Our members will inspire action by demonstrating how sustainable practices can be mainstreamed through any business model, including sport,” he added.

Keeping an eye on the ball

The SDGs are part of the Japanese school curriculum, so many young people are aware of their importance.

Taro Shinzato, who supports rival team Nagoya Grampus 8, visited the UN Pavilion at Expo 2025, telling us: “When we think of the SDGs, we focus on the environment and sustainable living in Japan. We perhaps don’t think enough about the SDGs in other countries, which is very important as we all share the same Earth.”