30 Years In - and the Journey Continues

Common Goal is evolving - embracing a new phase of leadership to unlock its next level of global impact. The movement that brought football together for good now looks ahead with fresh energy, new voices, and an unwavering mission to unite and inspire change. 

After three decades of building and growing together, the founding associates of Common Goal (and former streetfootballworld) are excited to announce the beginning of a leadership transition - the next step in the movement’s journey.  

From a handful of local initiatives, we are now a globally connected and empowered community of organizations with nearly 4 million young people engaged and 9 million people reached, every year.  

Football for Good has become more than a phrase - it’s a movement and a mindset.  

Together with hundreds of organizations, athletes, coaches, partners and allies, we’ve rallied the largest collective in professional football behind a shared mission: showing what’s possible when we act as one.  

As the world grows increasingly polarized, our conviction has never been stronger. We believe in the power of football to unite, to spark change and to level the playing field so that every young person can play, learn and thrive.  

To keep advancing our mission, we’re initiating a transition to new leadership - leadership ready to pioneer bold, innovative ways of driving change at scale.  

We’ve already begun reshaping our structures, including our headquarters, to create the space and flexibility this next phase needs to realize Common Goal’s full potential - through collective action, a more decentralized, agile and adaptive structure and shared leadership. 

We’re thrilled that as of October 15, Mary Connor, current Executive Director of Common Goal USA, has been stepping into the role of leading this transition. She will be supported by a Transition Committee composed of representatives of the global Common Goal Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of Common Goal USA.  

Mary and the Transition Committee, including Juan Mata (Common Goal co-creator over the past decade alongside Thomas Preiss), will formally begin their work on November 3, 2025, with a mandate through January 31, 2026. Together, they will review the strategy, explore new pathways to maximize impact, and design the leadership and governance model that will carry Common Goal into its next chapter - while ensuring global operations remain strong.  

As Founders, we’ll continue to support this process by sharing our collective social capital wherever it can create value. We’re eager to see the new leadership emerge and shape the future of Common Goal. Our plan is to hand over all remaining responsibilities by mid-2026, at the latest.  

To everyone who has been part of this incredible journey - our partners, teammates, supporters, our families and our friends around the world - thank you. Your belief, dedication, and collaboration have made Common Goal what it is today. Every milestone we’ve reached, we’ve reached together. As we take this next step, we count on you - the entire Common Goal community - to keep driving this movement forward. Your energy, creativity, and commitment will be the heartbeat of the next chapter.  

Looking back, we’re filled with pride and gratitude for what’s been achieved - and even more so with belief, confidence, and excitement for what lies ahead. Though our roles will evolve, our commitment to Common Goal’s mission remains our compass. And we’re certain our paths will continue to cross on the journey ahead of us.  

If you have questions - or simply wish to chat over a (virtual) coffee - we’d love to hear from you.  

Yours in our Common Goal!  

Jürgen, Vladimir and Johannes