Rudiger, Davies Back UN Refugee Campaign at 48.8 Million Displaced Children
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 18
Rudiger, Davies Back UN Refugee Campaign at 48.8 Million Displaced Children
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 18
Summary
Antonio Rudiger and Alphonso Davies used the World Cup to advocate for refugees, tying their own family flight from Sierra Leone and Liberia to a UNHCR campaign spotlighting displaced players.
48.8 million displaced children worldwide underpin that message, with UNHCR presenting a symbolic team including Eduardo Camavinga, Victor Moses and other players whose families escaped war and persecution.
Rudiger said refugee narratives have grown more hostile, arguing that isolated crimes should not define people who flee conflict, learn new languages and rebuild their lives.
The appeal lands as U.S. refugee admissions have sharply tightened: 6,069 people were admitted from October to April, all but three from South Africa, versus 100,034 in Biden's final full year.
Canada offers a contrasting backdrop, with accepted refugee claims rising from 9,972 in 2016 to 50,067 in 2025 as World Cup stars celebrate countries that gave their families safety.
Can the success of refugee athletes change minds when security concerns dominate immigration debates?
As the US restricts entry, what is Canada learning from its decade of increased refugee resettlement?
With World Cup access hindered by visa issues, can global sporting events remain truly open to all?
UNHCR’s “Gamechanging Team” Campaign: Leveraging Football for Inclusion and Healing Among Displaced Youth
Overview
Launched in May 2026, the UNHCR's "Gamechanging Team" campaign uses the excitement of the FIFA World Cup to spotlight footballers who have overcome displacement. By sharing their stories, the campaign highlights their resilience and the transformative power of sport. Its main goals are to raise global awareness about the challenges faced by displaced people, promote hope and resilience, and show how football can help children feel included and heal. The campaign leverages football’s universal appeal to inspire support and create opportunities for displaced youth worldwide.