According to the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Holidays” (with the amendment introduced on November 13, 2024, No. 2093), May 25 is officially celebrated in the country as World Football Day.

In the modern era, football is regarded as one of the most developed and widely followed sports among the peoples and nations of the world. As the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, stated in his congratulatory message on the occasion of World Football Day on May 25, 2025: “Football is not only one of the most popular and widespread sports among the peoples of the world, but also an important means of promoting health, physical and psychological development, as well as strengthening the spirit of humanism and solidarity in society.”

It should be particularly emphasized that the role of the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Supreme Assembly of the Republic of Tajikistan, President of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), and President of the Football Federation of Tajikistan Rustam Emomali, in the celebration of World Football Day is highly significant.

It is worth recalling that on February 9, 2024, Rustam Emomali, in his address to the United Nations, proposed recognizing the role of football at the global level and officially proclaiming World Football Day through the adoption of a special resolution by the United Nations General Assembly.

As a result, on May 7, 2024, during its 80th plenary meeting of the 78th session, the United Nations General Assembly supported the proposal of the President of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) and President of the Football Federation of Tajikistan, Rustam Emomali, regarding the proclamation of World Football Day and adopted Resolution A/RES/78/281. The resolution highlights the importance of organizing major sporting events in the spirit of peace, mutual understanding, international cooperation, friendship, tolerance, and non-discrimination, while also emphasizing their unifying and peace-promoting nature.

Furthermore, the United Nations General Assembly called upon all stakeholders to celebrate World Football Day in accordance with national priorities and to appropriately promote the values of football for all, including through educational and public initiatives.

Indeed, it is a matter of great pride that, at the initiative of independent Tajikistan, May 25 was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly as World Football Day.

On May 22, 2025, the President of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) and President of the Football Federation of Tajikistan, Rustam Emomali, participated in the historic ceremony marking the first celebration of World Football Day, held at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City, where he delivered a speech in the beautiful Tajik language. In his remarks, he noted that May 25 had been recognized by the international community as World Football Day and that the core values of football – fair play, teamwork, respect, and resilience – are fully consistent with the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.

Concluding his speech, Rustam Emomali emphasized:
“World Football Day encourages each of us to embrace the joy that this sport brings into our lives and to recognize its role in advancing the goals of the United Nations. We must ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, has the opportunity to play.

The Football Federation of Tajikistan is ready to cooperate in this direction with FIFA, the United Nations, and all football-loving countries so that this sport becomes even more widespread, accessible, and inspiring” .

It should also be noted that on May 25, 2024, my articles were published by the National Information Agency of Tajikistan “Khovar” and the newspaper “Payomi Dushanbe” the Executive Body of the State Authority of the City of Dushanbe. In those articles, I proposed introducing an appropriate amendment to the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Holidays” in order to officially establish May 25 as World Football Day.

Subsequently, the deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli (Parliament) of the Republic of Tajikistan drafted the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Introducing an Amendment to the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan ‘On Holidays’” and submitted it in accordance with the established procedure. Consequently, the law was adopted and approved by the Majlisi Oli (Parliament)  of the country and signed by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on November 13, 2024. This law established the legal foundations for celebrating World Football Day in the country.

In order to celebrate World Football Day with dignity, various competitions have been organized and continue to be held in cities and districts across the country among different segments of society. Overall, these events contribute to the development of Tajik football and to the identification of talented young football players.

Firuz Sainozimzoda –

Head of the International, Information-Analytical

and Organizational Department of the Office of the Commissioner

for Human Rights in the Republic of Tajikistan,

Candidate of Legal Sciences