A group of football supporters in Bangladesh are turning their World Cup passion into environmental action through a nationwide tree-planting campaign under the banner "Argentina Fans for Nature."
The initiative aims to plant 4,000 native fruit, medicinal, and forest trees across the country while encouraging youth participation in climate action and environmental conservation.
The movement first gained attention after its organisers planted 36,000 trees across Bangladesh following Argentina’s victory in the FIFA World Cup in 2022, transforming football celebrations into a long-term environmental campaign.
The organisers report that the current programme has already planted and distributed around 2,600 saplings in various districts.
The campaign is scheduled to continue with two major plantation events. Around 400 saplings will be planted in Kauri Village, Manikganj, on Friday, while another 1,000 saplings will be planted in Cox’s Bazar on June 27.
With the completion of the two events, the organisers expect to achieve their target of planting 4,000 trees nationwide.
The campaign encourages football supporters and young volunteers to plant trees in their communities and take responsibility for their care and survival.
According to the organisers, football is more than just a game; it can serve as a powerful platform for social and environmental change.
‘Football brings people together, while trees protect our future. "We want to transform the passion of football fans into climate action and environmental restoration," the organisers said.
The programme focuses on indigenous fruit, medicinal and forest species, including mango, jackfruit, coconut, neem, Indian gooseberry, arjun, bahera and moringa.
Beyond football-related activities, the organisers also promote tree planting during weddings, birthdays, memorial events and other social occasions.
Local health facilities have distributed nearly 2,000 saplings to families of newborn children over the past five years.
Shakhawat Ullah, president of Chandrakoli Foundation and one of the founders of the initiative, said that if Argentina wins the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the organisation plans to launch another nationwide campaign to plant 40,000 additional trees across Bangladesh.
The organisers said that they hoped the initiative would inspire football supporters around the world to use the power of sport to address climate change, promote biodiversity and build greener communities.
Argentina Fans for Nature is a volunteer-led environmental initiative in Bangladesh that connects football supporters with climate action and tree-planting activities.