World Football Summit has extended the application deadline for the WFS Awards 2026 to 17 July, giving football industry professionals less than a month to submit their candidacies.
The WFS Awards recognise the professionals and organisations, in the spotlight and behind the scenes, whose work elevates the game, expands the business, and deepens its impact on society.
Created in 2017, they celebrate the people strengthening the industry while honouring the essence and values of the sport. Over nine editions, the programme has honoured some of the most influential names in the game, Past honourees include Aleksander Čeferin, President of UEFA; Ferran Soriano, CEO of City Football Group; Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer Leverkusen; Giorgio Chiellini, Italian football legend; Marcus Rashford, FC Barcelona; the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the Bundesliga, DAZN and Atlético de Madrid, among others.
This year’s edition marks the tenth anniversary of World Football Summit and introduces three new categories. The WFS Award for Best Content Creator, presented by TikTok, recognises the creators redefining how football is told and experienced in the digital age. The WFS Award for Best Fan-Centric Initiative, presented by Goodform by YouFirst, recognises organisations that have genuinely placed fans at the heart of the game. And the WFS Award for a Career Honouring the Essence of the Game, presented by Senn Ferrero, will be awarded for the first time to a former player or coach whose career has exemplified sporting excellence and integrity.
As in previous editions, the 2026 programme is backed by some of the most recognised brands and institutions in the industry, including Common Goal, Deloitte, Excel Search & Advisory, TikTok, and YouFirst, among others.
2026 Categories
- A Career Honouring the Essence of the Game — presented by Senn Ferrero
- Best Executive — presented by Excel Search & Advisory
- Best Content Creator — presented by TikTok
- Best Digital Transformation Initiative — presented by N3xt Sports
- Best Fan-Centric Initiative — presented by Goodform by YouFirst
- Best Growth Strategy — presented by Deloitte
- Best Gender Equality Initiative — presented by Women in Football
- Most Innovative Supplier — presented by SportsTechX
- Best Stadium Experience — presented by StadiumDB
- Football for Good — presented by Common Goal
- Eli Wolff Football Without Limits — presented by Integrated Dreams
- Woman in Leadership — presented by Women in Soccer
Key dates
- Application deadline: 17 July
- Finalists announced: 20 August
- Winners announced: 3 September
Click HERE to apply.