Explainer: Why footballers enter the pitch with kids before matches

Discover why children walk onto the football pitch with players before matches, how the player escort tradition began, who qualifies to become a player escort, and the selection process used by FIFA, UEFA and football clubs around the world.2 years later, the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan officially introduced the now-famous Player Escort Programme, giving children from around the world the opportunity to walk onto the pitch with football's biggest stars.

Player escorts have become one of football's most cherished traditions, with children walking onto the pitch alongside players to promote fair play, inspire young fans and strengthen the bond between football stars and the next generation.