UEFA and Japan FA Sign Sustainability Partnership to Shape Football’s Future

UEFA and the Japan Football Association have officially announced a new sustainability partnership aimed at strengthening football’s environmental and social impact both in Europe and Asia. The collaboration will see UEFA share knowledge and expertise from its Football Sustainability Strategy 2030 to support the JFA’s own sustainability initiative, Asu-Pass!. The agreement is expected to focus on practical solutions surrounding climate change, education, community development, safeguarding, discrimination, and human rights within football.

UEFA confirmed that the partnership will also involve workshops, sustainability guidelines, toolkits, and the development of key performance indicators to help Japanese football continue improving its social and environmental initiatives across all levels of the game.

UEFA and JFA Aim to Build Long-Term Football Sustainability

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin described sustainability in football as a responsibility that extends beyond the pitch, emphasizing the importance of protecting communities, improving education, and reducing environmental impact.

Ceferin also praised Japanese football culture, highlighting values such as respect, discipline, and collective responsibility as key reasons why UEFA sees the JFA as a natural long-term partner. Meanwhile, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto explained that sustainability has become one of the most important themes in global football alongside athletic success and business growth. He confirmed that the JFA’s long-term growth strategy from 2026 to 2031 places sustainability at the center of its future plans.

The JFA also hopes the cooperation with UEFA will help share sustainability knowledge with its 47 prefectural football associations, partner organizations, and the wider football community in Japan. This latest agreement further strengthens UEFA’s growing relationship with football associations outside Europe as governing bodies increasingly work together to tackle climate change and improve football’s global social impact.