In 48 hours, World Football Summit Riyadh will kick off at Misk City’s Malfa Hall, bringing together over 2,500 industry professionals from more than 80 countries.
Now in its third edition, WFS Riyadh is the first event of its kind to be held in Saudi Arabia—a platform where the Kingdom’s football leadership and the global industry’s key decision-makers connect to explore how regional transformation is redefining football’s global map and what it means for clubs, leagues, federations, brands, and investors worldwide.
Taking place exactly one year after the Kingdom was awarded the 2034 FIFA World Cup, WFS Riyadh 2025 arrives as Saudi Arabia’s transformation through sport continues to accelerate. From massive infrastructure investment to the launch of the Saudi Women’s Premier League and the privatisation of three clubs opening doors to global investment, the past year has seen remarkable progress across multiple fronts.
Hosted by Mo Islam, presenter of The Mo Show, the programme will feature 150+ speakers representing the brands, properties, and institutions pushing the industry forward both regionally and globally. From the Kingdom’s Ministries of Sport and Investment to the Saudi Pro League and some of its top clubs, alongside international football properties like Bundesliga, Lega Serie A, Liga Portugal, and LALIGA, as well as some of the world’s most influential technology companies such as AWS, Microsoft, Google, TikTok, Atos, and Globant—the lineup reflects the industry’s geographical and sectoral diversity.
Confirmed speakers include
- Ahmed Albahrani (Saudi Arabian Football Federation)
- Mai Alhelabi (Asia Cup 2027)
- Bader Aljeraisy (Ministry of Sport)
- Ibrahim Almoajel (Ministry of Sport)
- Lamia Bahaian (Saudi Arabian Football Federation)
- James Bisgrove (Al Qadsiah)
- Esteve Calzada (Al Hilal)
- Ben Harburg (Al-Kholood Club)
- David Henry (Mohammed Bin Salman Non Profit City)
- Peter Hutton (Saudi Pro League)
- Basim Ibrahim (Ministry of Investment)
- Omar Mugharbel (Saudi Pro League)
- Magda Pozzo (Udinese Calcio)
- Ralf Reichert (Esports World Cup Foundation)
- Javier Tebas (LALIGA)
- Mohammed Wasfy (Right to Dream Egypt and FC Masar), among many others.
Guinness World Record Attempt
The agenda will address the topics defining football’s future on and off the pitch in the years ahead—governance and investment, tech and innovation, fan engagement and media rights, talent development—through panel discussions, roundtables, keynotes, and fireside chats.
In an event bound to break records—in attendance, impact, and reach—WFS Riyadh will also feature Brazilian freestyler Ricardinho’s attempt to break his own Guinness World Record for the longest time keeping a football in the air without letting it touch the ground. Ricardinho will attempt to surpass his current record of 49 hours and 3 minutes, targeting 50 consecutive hours of ball control.
WFS Riyadh 2025 is supported by Pioneer Events as Main Partner and backed by leading regional and international football properties, with the Saudi Pro League as Institutional Partner and LALIGA as Corporate Partner.
Jan Alessie, Co-Founder & Managing Director of World Football Summit, said:
“This will be our largest edition to date—over 2,500 participants, 150+ speakers, representing the full spectrum of the industry from ministry officials to global tech giants. The growth we’ve seen over three years validates the commitment we made back in 2023: that this platform was needed, both regionally and globally. We’re proud to be facilitating these conversations and grateful for the support we’ve received from partners across Saudi Arabia and the international football community. It’s a privilege to play this role.”