World Cup Stars turn out for children and UNICEF

On the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Seoul, The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) today launched a series of television advertisements featuring renowned football stars calling for efforts to improve the lot of children across the globe.

More than 45 key players from 17 teams are participating in the UNICEF-FIFA alliance for children, including 14 members of reigning champion France's national team, FIFA's World Footballer of the Year, Luis Figo of Portugal, the Asian and African footballers of the year, and Argentina's captain.

One 30-second spot features the Argentinean captain, Juan Sebastian Veron, explaining that some people believe that football is a life and death matter, and then adding "More important than children? I think not!"

UNICEF is providing the television commercials, in English, French and Spanish, rights-free to television stations internationally.