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Next event: Mexico City, 3-4 June

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Next event: Mexico City, 3-4 June

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Expanding the business, honouring the essence

 At World Football Summit, we believe the business of football exists to amplify what makes the game truly unique. We unite the industry to ensure that essence—its unparalleled power to break barriers and drive change—stays alive, and we lead by example through concrete actions.

WFS MANIFESTO

Football’s business has always grown because the game mattered to people. As the industry evolved—new markets, new technologies, massive capital entering the game—a tension emerged: does growth strengthen what makes football unique, or does it threaten it?

Some treat it like an inevitable trade-off. You expand the business or you protect the essence. Pick one.

But a decade at the heart of this industry has taught us something different: football’s commercial success is inseparable from its essence.

Purpose

What does “Expanding the business, honouring the essence” mean?

The business only exists because billions of people are emotionally invested in this game. That bond is the core asset of both the sport and the business.

Expanding the business means professionalisation, investment, new markets, innovation. Maximising football’s potential as a global economic engine.

Honouring the essence means ensuring growth reinforces what makes football transformative: its power to unite billions, break down barriers, change lives. A strong, professional industry is what protects that power.

One doesn’t grow at the expense of the other. One grows because of the other.

Purpose

How are we delivering on our commitment?

We make football’s essence central to the industry’s business conversations:

  • The social role of football is fully integrated into every strategic discussion about growth, investment, and expansion.
  • We give voice to the entire ecosystem on equal terms—no single voice dominates.
  • We establish WFS in markets where football’s transformation demands both business maturity and protection of local identity.
  • Our content challenges the industry to evaluate economic decisions through their social and reputational impact.

And we lead by example:

Expanding the Business, Honouring the Essence.

Because that’s the football we want. The football we need.

Keys areas Of work

Keys areas
Of work

Gender equality

Through initiatives like our Female Leaders Program or La Menina, we provide opportunities, visibility, and resources to drive real change.
More info

Inclusion

Through initiatives like our The Most Inclusive Match, we promote diversity, representation, and equal opportunities at all levels.
More info

Footprint

From reducing carbon footprints to promoting greener practices, we’re committed to making football a force for environmental good.
More info

Common Goal​

We commit at least 1% of our total revenue to Common Goal’s collective fund.
More info

Awards

Each year, we honor the talent, passion, and dedication of sports professionals who are shaping the future of the football industry.
More info

Join The movement

Join
The movement

Do you believe in better football too? Are you a champion of inclusion? A female leader? A green playmaker?

Then get in touch to join the global movement.

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WFS and its Commitment to society

WFS and its
Commitment to society

2016

Planting the Seed
Launched our journey by using football as a tool for development.


  • Partnered with Street Football World to connect football with global development efforts.
  • Organized pioneering panels spotlighting football’s role in social progress and development.

2017

Football for Good Begins
A year of bold firsts and purpose-driven partnerships.


  • Launched the first Women’s Football Summit in Madrid, championing equality and representation.
  • Joined the Common Goal movement, pledging a share of WFS revenue to support global impact projects.
  • Debuted the Football for Good Award at the inaugural WFS Awards, in collaboration with Common Goal, recognizing initiatives that use football to drive social change.

2018

Showcasing women leadership
A unique space to highlight female trendsetters in the sports industry.


  • Established the first Female Leaders Interview Corner in our events in partnership with Women Experience Sports, a dedicated space to visibilise and empower women in the industry.

2019

Expanding our outreach
A year to reach newer audiences in booming continents.




  • Held our first WFS Asia in Malaysia, which included our StartUp Cup, a competition to empower future generations and entrepreneurs in sporstech.

2020

Live, Global, Impactful
WFS goes virtual—and gives back in a time of global crisis.




  • With the pandemic we went online and we have been streaming our events ever since to make it more accessible, wherever you are in the world.
  • We donated WFS Live 1 profits to Fenômenos Foundation & Common Goal’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, supporting vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic.

2021

Recognition with Purpose
Honoring footballers who drive social change.




  • We introduced the Marcus Rashford Award at the WFS Awards to celebrate athletes using their platform to fight inequality, promote education, and inspire systemic change—recognizing Rashford’s campaign against child food poverty as a symbol of football’s power beyond the pitch.
  • Sofie Junge Pedersen and Mushaga Bakenga have won this prestigious award.

2022

Equality in Action
Setting new standards in gender equality and sports.




  • Enforced 30% minimum female speakers (with Women in Football) and 20% minimum female attendees.
  • Girls took over our WFS Europe event to play an exhibition match in partnership with FutboLISTAS.

2022

Change in Action
Setting new standards in gender equality and sports.




  • Introduced Football Without Limits Award in partnership with Integrated Dreams to recognize organizations and individuals who promote inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities in football.
  • Donated 20% of ticket revenue to Ukraine relief (with Common Goal).
  • We held our 1st Carbon Zero Event in partnership with ClimateTrade & Forever Green.

2023

Raising the Bar
Deepening our impact on and off the field.




  • Hosted Female Leaders Gatherings at WFS Europe & WFS Asia.
  • We acquired our first Menina, the symbol of our Female Leaders Program, and kicked off her first tour in Seville.
  • Launched our Female Leader Pass to support women claiming their place in the industry.

2023

A place for all
Unique games, unique times, unique initiatives.




  • Held the first The Most Inclusive Match – with a record breaking 1,740 people with disabilities at a LaLiga match.
  • Our WFS Europe Volunteer Team included People with Disabilities for the first time.
  • Donated 20% of our Football Innovation Forum’s revenue to Turkey’s earthquake victims.

2024

Purpose at Full Scale
A defining year for equity, impact, and sustainability.




  • Held the 2nd Most Inclusive Match – Atlético vs Lille (UCL), in partnership with the Spanish Ministry for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
  • Introduced WaterApp, replacing plastic bottles with bamboo canes for all speakers.
  • Held our first Female Leaders Gathering in WFS Americas.
  • We launched a Training Program in Las 3 Mil Viviendas in Sevilla with our Menina program.

2025

Scaling Impact. Shaping Tomorrow.
This year, we’re building deeper connections between football, climate, and communities.



  • Held Women 's Football Summit at San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao. One of the many activities which took place around Women’s Football Week BBK, a week to reflect on the values of women's football: inclusive, sustainable, and modern, a true catalyst for social change.
  • Launched our Female Leaders Awards to recognize, celebrate, and elevate the women who are driving progress across the global football industry—highlighting outstanding leadership, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation of female talent in the game.

Most relevant Content

Most relevant
Content

Key figures

Every year, the community of football industry leaders connects at World Football Summit.

Events
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Impact Initiatives
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Female leaders
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Female Speakers
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Gender equality

On the pitch, in boardrooms, and beyond, we champion gender equality. Through initiatives like our Female Leaders Program or La Menina, we provide opportunities, visibility, and resources to drive real change. Together, we can shape an equitable game.
More information

Inclusion

A truly global game leaves no one behind. We are committed to breaking down barriers to ensure it is accessible to everyone. Through initiatives like our The Most Inclusive Match, we promote diversity, representation, and equal opportunities at all levels.
More information

Footprint

From reducing carbon footprints to promoting greener practices, we’re committed to making football a force for environmental good. Because sustainability is more than a goal—it’s the future of the planet.
More information

Common Goal

We commit at least 1% of our total revenue to Common Goal’s collective fund. Join too and contribute directly to football-based initiatives and organizations that empower communities and create lasting, positive change across the globe.
More information

Awards

Each year, we honor the talent, passion, and dedication of sports professionals who are shaping the future of the football industry. Their commitment extends beyond the field, driving social change, fostering unity, and inspiring future generations.
More information