World Cup of Healing: No mothers, no football
On July 10th in New York City, World Football Summit and FC Mother came together to host the World Cup of Healing—an event where football transcended competition to become a catalyst for connection, reflection, and social impact. It was a movement that used the world’s game to rebuild trust, community, and hope in a divided world.
A strategic partnership.
A special city
A strategic partnership. A special city
Why FC Mother
Because behind every football icon, there’s a mother who made it possible.
FC Mother is the result of a decade-long global research initiative to address one of humanity’s most urgent challenges: maternal healing.
Their model, Healing Sports (H-Sports), transforms football into a tool for measurable public health outcomes. By embedding wellness within club culture, FC Mother is changing how the world’s most popular sport can serve humanity.
Why New Yok City
New York is more than a global city. It’s a cultural powerhouse, a hub of innovation, and a beacon for changemakers across industries.
With the FIFA Club World Cup arriving in the U.S. for the first time, World Cup of Healing becomes the perfect stage to spark conversations that transcend the pitch.
This July, New York becomes the home of the World Cup of Healing.
Be there to witness how football is driving measurable change in maternal health — and shaping a new vision for the future of the game.
The numbers that Defined the event
The numbers that
Defined the event
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World Cup of Healing:
No mothers, no football
World Cup of Healing: No mothers, no football
Past speakers at
World Cup of Healing
Past speakers at World Cup of Healing
Jan
Alessie
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Jan
Alessie
I’m Co-Founder and Managing Director of World Football Summit, which I started with Marian Otamendi in 2016. I spend most of my time working with major brands and sports organisations to bring them into our events, and managing relationships with local partners and public administrations in each region where we operate. I also lead our international expansion—analysing markets, evaluating opportunities, deciding where to grow next. Before WFS, I spent 18 years as a consultant and strategic advisor.
Contessa
Brewer
Correspondent – CNBC
Contessa
Brewer
Contessa Brewer is a correspondent and substitute anchor at CNBC, where she covers casinos, gaming, and breaking news stories. She joined CNBC in 2017, bringing extensive experience from her previous roles at MSNBC and NBC News. Known for her sharp reporting and on-air presence, Brewer is a trusted voice on major economic and social topics across U.S. media.
Dr. Zack
Bush
Founder & CEO – Seraphic Group
Dr. Zack
Bush
Dr. Zach Bush is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice care. He is internationally recognized for his work on the microbiome and its impact on human and environmental health. Dr. Bush founded Seraphic Group, Farmer’s Footprint, and Resource Dynamics to develop root-cause solutions for human and ecological health. He also leads The M Clinic, focusing on integrative medicine and holistic healing.
Susan
Dorrell
Mom – TMJ
Susan
Dorrell
Stacey
E. Rosen
Executive Director – Northwell Health
Stacey
E. Rosen
Dr. Stacey E. Rosen is Executive Director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Health and 2025–2026 Volunteer President of the American Heart Association. A cardiologist with over 30 years’ experience, she is a national leader in women’s cardiovascular health and healthcare equity. She is co-author of Heart Smarter for Women and co-producer of the documentary Ms. Diagnosed.
Kevin
Holcomb
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology – Northwell Health
Kevin
Holcomb
Dr. Kevin Holcomb is Chair of OB/GYN at North Shore University Hospital, LIJ Medical Center, and Zucker School of Medicine. A board-certified gynecologic oncologist with 25+ years of experience, he’s a leader in women’s health, research, and education. Formerly at Weill Cornell, he focuses on gynecologic cancer, maternal health disparities, and advancing compassionate, community-based care.
Jennie
Joseph
Founder and President – Commonsense Childbirth
Jennie
Joseph
Jennie Joseph is a British-trained midwife who fights to ensure every person has their healthiest possible pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience with dignity and support. Jennie created The JJ Way® which is an evidence-based, maternity care model delivering patient-centered, culturally-congruent care to people in what she calls ‘materno-toxic zones’ in the USA.
Heloisa
Lessa
Midwife – FC Mother
Heloisa
Lessa
Dr. Heloisa Lessa is a certified nurse-midwife and a pioneer of humanized childbirth in Brazil. Since 1989, she’s led home birth care in Rio, working with Indigenous communities and founding the Michel Odent Institute and Parto Ecológico. She’s won awards including the 2018 Human Rights in Childbirth Prize and 2024 Women Who Inspire award. A global speaker and author, she now coordinates the Brazil team for FC Mother.
Sir Dr. Todd
Ovokaitys
Chief Medical Officer – QiGenix Clinics
Sir Dr. Todd
Ovokaitys
Dr. Todd Ovokaitys is a Johns Hopkins–trained physician and bioscientist renowned for his pioneering work in regenerative medicine. He co-invented the Strachan-Ovokaitys Node Generator (SONG) Laser, a technology that activates Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSELs) for tissue regeneration and age reversal. As Chief Medical Officer at QiGenix Clinics, he integrates advanced laser therapies with personalized anti-aging protocols, aiming to enhance longevity and cellular health.
Debbie
Phelps
Retired Educator
Debbie
Phelps
Debbie Phelps is a retired American educator and author, widely recognized as the mother of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. With nearly five decades in education, she served as the first principal of Windsor Mill Middle School and later as executive director of The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools. A motivational speaker and advocate for children’s education, she authored the memoir A Mother for All Seasons. In January 2025, she retired after a distinguished career.
Football's heartbeat: Mothers
Mothers play a critical role in football — often behind the scenes, yet foundational to the sport’s global ecosystem.
- They raise the athletes.
- They build the communities.
- They pass down the love for the beautiful game across generations.
With the World Cup of Healing, maternal well-being is no longer a side conversation — it’s becoming a key priority within football’s future.
At World Football Summit, we believe football can do more than entertain, that’s why we’re proud to partner with FC Mother as our official Health, Longevity & Wellness Partner.
Together, we’re taking on a $27.2 trillion global challenge: maternal health.
By activating the power of 5 billion football fans, we aim to deliver real, measurable impact — starting with the people who give us life.
- 54 million life years
- Science-backed solutions
- Community-led change
This is football, reimagined for purpose.
