World Football Summit has officially revealed the jury panels for the WFS Awards 2026, with the final deadline for applications set for 17 July.
Marking the tenth anniversary of the programme, this year’s edition introduces three new categories: Best Content Creator (presented by TikTok), Best Fan-Centric Initiative (presented by Goodform by YouFirst), and A Career Honouring the Essence of the Game (presented by Senn Ferrero). Additionally, two existing categories return with an updated focus: Best Stadium Experience (presented by Stadium DB) and the Best Gender Equality Initiative (presented by Women in Football).
The 2026 jury brings together decision-makers from across the global sports business, representing key international markets with a balanced mix of geographic and gender perspectives. The panels span executives from world-class clubs, leagues, and federations alongside senior representatives from commercial brands, tech platforms, specialised agencies, and football-for-good initiatives.
WFS Awards 2026 Official Jury Panels
A Career Honouring the Essence of the Game presented by Senn Ferrero
- Ornella Desiree Bellia – Head of Professional Football, FIFA
- José Félix Díaz Fernández – Director, Diario As
- Julio Senn – Managing Partner, Senn Ferrero
- Héctor Izquierdo – Chief Editor, Condé Nast
Best Content Creator presented by TikTok
- Charlie Kipp – Head of Social Media, Men in Blazers
- Alessandra Sangalli – Head of Sports IT/ES, TikTok
- Georgina Leger – CEO & Founder, FLAT PINK
- Kike Levy – Head, Gameday by NJF Holdings
- Laura Perez de Mendiola – Head of Proactive PR, LALIGA
Best Digital Transformation Initiative presented by N3xt Sports
- Sahil Rikhye – Head of Digital, Data & Innovation, Bologna FC 1909
- Karla Hernández Valdez – Development of Women’s football, FMF
- Stuart Ramsey – Chief Commercial Officer, Professional Triathletes Organisation
- Rita Pivoriunaite – Business Development & Marketing Manager, United World Wrestling
Best Executive presented by Excel Search & Advisory
- Cindy Parlow Cone – President, U.S. Soccer Federation
- Michael Gerlinger – CEO, Olympique Lyonnais
- Lina Souloukou – CEO, Nottingham Forest
- Klaus Filbry – CEO, Werder Bremen
- Marijn Beuker – Director of Football, AFC Ajax
- Yael Averbuch West – President of Soccer Operations, Gotham FC
- Chad Biagini – President, Excel Search & Advisory
Best Fan-Centric Initiative presented by Goodform by YouFirst
- Michael Broughton – Partner, Sports Investment Partners LLP
- Ricardo Fort – Founder, Sport by Fort Consulting
- Harriet Cumber – CRM Client Manager, Goodform
- Iain Macpherson – Product & Data Services Director, Goodform
- Alison Dalrymple – Managing Director, Goodform
- Joe Kyle – Client & Commercial Director, Goodform
Best Gender Equality Initiative presented by Women in Football
- Sarah Guilfoyle – Managing Director, Wigan Athletic FC
- Debbie Cook – Director of Community, English Football League
- Ebru Köksal – Chair, Women in Football
- Helen Hardy – CEO, FOUDYS
- Francesca Brown – Chief Executive, Goals 4 Girls
Best Growth Strategy presented by Deloitte
- Javier Sobrino – Professor, Comillas University
- Julio Senn – Managing Partner, Senn Ferrero
- Simon Howard – Partner, Deloitte Sports Business Group
- Edward Cummings – Director of Sports & Entertainment, CBRE
- Daniella Bernal – M&A Manager, Asenza Global Partners
Best Stadium Experience presented by Stadium DB
- Andrew Edge – Associate Director, Arup
- John Roberts – Director, AFL Architects
- Maddalena Cannarsa – Associate Principal, Populous
- Nick Tyrer – Associate Director, BDP Pattern
Eli Wolff Football Without Limits presented by Integrated Dreams
- Ana Álvarez Mesa – New Social Projects, RFEF
- Hala Ousta – Senior Diversity & Accessibility Manager, FIFA
- Jess Markt – Disability Sport & Inclusion Specialist, ICRC
- Catherine Carty – Chair Manager, UNESCO
- Kush Kanodia – Director / Trustee, AccessibAll
- Hamchetou Maiga-Ba – Chair, Hamchetou Maiga-Ba Foundation
- Sergey Lyzhin – Honorary Secretary General, Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations
- Álex Sánchez – Public Affairs & Institutional Relations, LALIGA
- Stuart Sharp – Head of Extended National Teams, U.S. Soccer Federation
Football for Good presented by Common Goal
- Ana Arizabaleta – Founder, Catalizar
- Abhijeet Barse – CEO, Slumsoccer
- Verónica Boquete – Footballer, Como 1907
- Game G. G. Mothibi – Founding Member, Women Sport Africa Network (WSAN)
- Shetty Preeti – CEO, Upshot
- Thomas Preiss – Board Member, Common Goal
- Shetty Preeti – CEO, Upshot
Most Innovative Supplier presented by SportsTechX
- Jeff Hintz – Executive Director, Sports Tech HQ
- Alexander Janssen – CEO, Dutch Sport Tech Fund
- Sudarshan Gopaladesikan – Technical Director, Newcastle United
- Rohn Malhotra – Founder, SportsTechX
Woman in Leadership presented by Women in Soccer
- Kely Nascimento – CEO, The Impact Game
- Moya Dodd – Secretary to the Board, Women’s Leagues Forum, World Leagues Association
- Rachel LaSala – COO, IDA Sports
- Cristina Unkel – President & General Manager, ITampa Bay Sun FC
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 17 July
- Announcement of Finalists: August 2026
- Awards Ceremony at Teatro Esclava: 15 September