On Thursday 26 March, at the Bergamo stadium, the FIGC will take to the field alongside the Azzurri to promote social and environmental sustainability, in line with the matchday format introduced in 2024 and already implemented in the last seven home fixtures of the senior national team. For the FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final between Italy and Northern Ireland, a range of initiatives will be introduced to enhance accessibility, inclusion and the circular economy.

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Quiet Room

With the support of the FIGC Paralympic Football Division, a Quiet Room will be set up in the Sky Box Gum Lounge for 10 players from the Lombardy-based club Links, affiliated with Como Calcio, who have cognitive, psychological and sensory disabilities. The aim of the Quiet Room is to promote inclusion for vulnerable individuals by giving them the opportunity to watch the match in a safe and welcoming environment, helping make football increasingly accessible to all. Former Italy international Massimo Ambrosini will meet the young participants in the Quiet Room. 

Audio commentary for blind and visually impaired fans

As for all home matches of the national team since 2022, an audio commentary service for blind and visually impaired fans will be available for the match against Northern Ireland. Thanks to the collaboration with CMT, Connect Me Too, supporters from the Institute for the Blind in Milan will be able to experience the match live at the stadium, following the action on their smartphones through a dedicated, fully accessible commentary. From this match onwards, the FIGC is taking a further step forward in accessibility: the service will also be available remotely. Up to 500 blind and visually impaired fans will be able to follow the game from home via a dedicated app. This initiative underlines the Federation’s commitment to making football ever more inclusive, breaking down barriers and allowing every fan to share in the passion for the Azzurri, wherever they are.

Week of Action

To mark the 14th edition of the Week of Action for Accessibility, content produced by AccessibALL, UEFA’s accessibility partner, will be shown on the big screens at the Bergamo stadium.

Player escorts

Some of the children walking onto the pitch with the Italy and Northern Ireland teams have been selected, through the association “Il sogno di Iaia”, from young patients at Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital. In 2022, the FIGC supported a project promoted by the association, helping redecorate several wards including paediatrics, paediatric oncology, hepatology, gastroenterology and transplant units to improve the wellbeing of young patients.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable catering

In line with circular economy principles, sustainable measures will be implemented in the stadium’s hospitality areas during the match: eco-friendly catering, the elimination of single-use plastics, the use of organic and locally sourced products, and inclusive menus.

Redistribution of leftover food

Also in line with these principles, leftover food from hospitality areas will be collected and redistributed to reduce waste. At the end of the match, volunteers from the Resmini Foundation in Bergamo will gather leftover food and redistribute it to people in vulnerable situations.