Meet the World – An initiative for social sustainability and global unity

22 teams from 13 countries in this year’s Gothia Cup are here because they won tournaments organized by SKF in their respective home countries. Through local tournaments, young players are given the opportunity to qualify for the Gothia Cup – regardless of their circumstances.

22 teams from 13 countries in this year’s Gothia Cup are here because they won tournaments organized by SKF in their respective home countries. Through local tournaments, young players are given the opportunity to qualify for the Gothia Cup – regardless of their circumstances.

This year’s Meet the World includes eight girls’ teams, nine boys’ teams, and three Special Olympics teams in various age categories. The participating countries are Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Poland, Ukraine, Indonesia, Brazil, Latvia, Czech Republic, Spain, and Portugal.

The aim of Meet the World is to create inclusive meeting places and promote social sustainability through sports. By lowering the barriers to international participation, the initiative fosters community, cultural exchange, and understanding among young people from different parts of the world. It is a concrete example of how football can be used as a tool to build bridges and create long-term positive effects in society.

At the Meet the World event on Sunday, SKF’s project coordinator Sabina Branc Fotland shared insights into how the tournament can vary in different countries.
– In Indonesia, it was one of the largest youth tournaments ever held, while in other countries it can be smaller tournaments with around ten teams competing for the Meet the World trip to Gothia Cup, she says.

The Meet the World partnership between SKF and Gothia Cup has been ongoing since 2007 and is based on a shared commitment to fostering development – both on an individual and global level. At SKF, the fight against friction is central – not only technically, but also between people. Through initiatives like Meet the World, SKF aims to contribute to a society where young people are given the opportunity to grow, share experiences, and shape the future together.

Meet the World is more than just a qualifying tournament. It is an investment in the next generation, using sport as a driving force for increased equality, sustainability, and international connection.