The Indonesian University League was presented at the United Nations 2026 World Football Day.

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia introduced UniLeague as a football-based empowerment programme for Young Generation, launched during the 2026 World Football Day commemoration held at the General Assembly Hall, New York on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

This international event was co-organised by Bahrain, Libya, Tajikistan alongside multiple partner nations. The gathering was also attended by various global leaders and international football figures, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

As quoted from the official UniLeague website, this 2026 World Football Day observance forms part of the implementation of United Nations General Assembly resolutions that recognise football's role in advancing peace, social inclusion, and progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

Indonesia was represented by Widya Sadnovic, who highlighted the launch of UniLeague in her speech as a concrete step by Indonesia to utilise football as a vehicle for youth development.

In her presentation, Widya confirmed that UniLeague does not only operate as a sporting competition, but also functions as a space for character building and mental health development for young people.

"Through this initiative, young people do not only compete on the pitch. They also learn about leadership, personal growth, mental health, and resilience in an accessible, enjoyable way," stated Widya.

This programme is also aligned with the United Nations Youth Office global campaign Football4MentalHealth, which advocates football as a medium to raise mental health awareness.

"They are empowered to become agents of peace within their own communities by promoting teamwork, empathy, mutual respect, and solidarity," Widya added.

Furthermore, Widya described UniLeague as a tangible demonstration of how diplomacy can be delivered through community-focused sporting activities that create direct positive impact for the public.

The full 2026 World Football Day programme also included keynote addresses from world leaders, pre-recorded video messages, and an inter-nation mini football tournament hosted at the North Lawn grounds that showcased the spirit of global unity.

Separately, the UniLeague domestic competition is run across two regional zones: Jakarta and Bandung. The Jakarta regional stage features 8 participating teams, with matches held at Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta Stadium and University of Indonesia facilities.

The Bandung regional stage hosts 7 participating teams, with all matches conducted at the Bandung Institute of Technology Stadium in Jatinangor.

Through its structured competitive format and cross-sector support, UniLeague is designed to nurture promising young sporting talent while cultivating athlete values that uphold Sportsmanship, discipline, and national unity.