The 2026 World Cup is taking the world by storm. For billions of viewers, it is a stage for drama where ball-handling skills, tactical strategies, and physical battles take center stage. However, behind the glitz of the stadium lights and the statistical data, there is another “match”—one far more substantial—in a competition to earn blessings through humanitarian action.
Amid the glitz and glamour of professional soccer careers, we find individuals who realize that achievements on the field are merely a temporary gift. One such figure is Islam Slimani, a sharp striker from Algeria whose story extends far beyond his goal-scoring record, transcending the boundaries of the field to reach humanitarian causes in need.
Islam Slimani’s name has been etched in gold in the annals of African soccer history. With 18 goals scored in World Cup qualifying, Slimani now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with great legends such as Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o. His sharpness was further demonstrated when he sealed Algeria’s 3-1 victory over Somalia on the first match day of the FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers for Les Fennecs.
During the 2014 World Cup, Islam Slimani and his entire team made a decision that shook the world: they donated all the prize money they had earned to the people of Gaza. When asked about the motivation behind this momentous decision, Slimani responded with words that struck a chord: “They need it more than we do.”
This statement was more than just empty words. It was a manifestation of the concepts of professional zakat and charity, in which an athlete, with full awareness, channels the wealth he receives as an act of compassion toward fellow human beings who are suffering.
The world of soccer is often treated to news stories about bonus disputes, salary disagreements, or player boycotts demanding pay raises in the middle of major tournaments. However, the Algerian national team once gave the world a gentle wake-up call by showing the true face of Islam.
Slimani is an example of a Muslim athlete who integrates religious values into every aspect of his career. For him, every goal scored is not merely the result of personal hard work, but a form of trust that demands social responsibility.
Slimani’s story serves as a reminder to us all of the rights of others who hold a trust over our wealth. From an Islamic perspective, all professional income—including athletes’ salaries and bonuses—is subject to the obligation of zakat once it reaches the nisab threshold. However, as exemplified by Slimani, there is a higher level: voluntarily giving charity for humanitarian causes.
The 2026 World Cup is an opportunity for us to view soccer through a different lens. It is no longer merely about who lifts the trophy, but rather about how we compete in doing good (fastabiqul khairat).
Ultimately, goal-scoring records will always be broken by other players in the future. However, the goodness channeled through charity and zakat is an eternal investment whose value will never fade in the sight of Allah.
Let this year’s passion for soccer be the beginning of blessings for others. Because in every success we achieve, there are the rights of others waiting to be fulfilled. Let’s contribute now, and let your “goal” of kindness be felt by those in need through https://digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/bestianyatim. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text: Roseta
Editor: Dhika