The International Youth Council (IYC) is proud to announce that H.E. Maca Sanchez — the first Argentinian professional female football player and IYC Country Representative for Argentina — will participate as a public figure and advocate at a landmark event organised by the United Nations Youth Office.

Taking place just ahead of the 2026 Men’s World Cup Final, One World, One Game, One Goal brings together young leaders, changemakers, policymakers, UN entities, governments, civil society, private sector partners, athletes and advocates to celebrate football and sports as powerful drivers of youth mental health and well-being. un

About the Event

One World, One Game, One Goal is part of the United Nations Youth Office’s flagship initiative on Youth Mental Health and Well-Being, advancing an important shift from fragmented, individual approaches to a holistic ecosystem model. Mental health is shaped not only by healthcare systems but also by environments, education, community, digital spaces, and opportunities for connection.

The day-long programme at UN Headquarters includes partner-led Spotlight Sessions, hands-on Mental Health and Well-being Workshops, a Football for Well-being Field on the North Lawn Garden, and a high-level Global Celebration of Football and Youth Mental Health in the General Assembly Hall — culminating in the launch of a public advocacy campaign uniting leaders and youth worldwide.

H.E. Maca Sanchez joins an exceptional line-up of advocates and leaders, including Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; H.E. Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly; football legends Daniel Amokachi and Gilberto Silva; and the UN Young Leaders for the SDGs.

H.E. Maca Sanchez — IYC Country Representative, Argentina

H.E. Maca Sanchez is a pioneering figure in women’s football and an internationally recognised advocate for gender equality, youth empowerment, and sport as a vehicle for social change. As the first Argentinian professional female football player, her journey on and off the pitch reflects the very values that the International Youth Council champions — resilience, inclusion, and the belief that young people can lead transformative change on the world stage

Why This Matters for IYC

As a global civil society organisation founded at the United Nations in 2007, holding Special Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC, the International Youth Council has long recognised that youth well-being — mental, physical, and social — is foundational to sustainable development. Football, as the world’s most popular sport, provides a universal platform to build belonging and social connection, strengthen emotional resilience, and promote inclusion, dignity and collective well-being.

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