The football industry’s growth is driving an increasing demand for specialised management talent. To address this, World Football Summit and FutbolJobs have renewed their strategic partnership to deliver the JobMatch by FutbolJobs programme. Following its consolidation in Europe, the initiative is confirmed for the 2026 calendar at both WFS Mexico City and WFS Europe in Madrid.
Direct Connection with Industry Leaders
The programme operates as a recruitment engine where emerging talent meets decision-makers from the organisations defining the industry. Entities that have participated in previous matchmaking sessions to scout their next generation of leaders include:
- Global Governing Bodies & Leagues: FIFA and LaLiga.
- European Clubs: Borussia Mönchengladbach, Athletic Club, Real Betis, and Sevilla FC.
- Americas Clubs: Club América, Cruz Azul, and Rayados de Monterrey.
- Brands & Agencies: Decathlon and various sportech entities.
The programme’s scale is reflected in the metrics from the Madrid 2025 edition, which facilitated 378 one-on-one meetings between 126 pre-selected students and 40 industry professionals.
The JobMatch Experience: Programme Structure
The initiative is built around four operational pillars designed to facilitate direct professional placement:
- Employability Corner: A dedicated space managed by FutbolJobs featuring real-time access to global job openings within the football ecosystem.
- Industry Stage Masterclass: A session delivered by HR executives—with previous participation from firms like Catenon—focused on the professional roadmap to executive positions.
- FutbolJobs Workshop: A practical session titled “How to become a top executive in the football industry: From potential to professional,” providing specific market data and insights.
- 1:1 Meetings (Speed Dating): Structured face-to-face meetings throughout the two-day event. Candidates meet with representatives from leagues, federations, and brands to discuss active career opportunities.
Who is this for?
JobMatch serves as a bridge for three specific groups:
- Students & NextGen attendees: Aimed at students and recent postgraduates from all disciplines seeking a professional career within the football industry.
- Academic Institutions: Universities and business schools looking to provide students with a practical extension of their academic programmes and direct access to the international market.
- Organisations & Employers: Leagues, federations, and agencies seeking access to a pool of pre-selected candidates technically equipped for immediate hire.
The JobMatch programme is now confirmed for both WFS Mexico City and WFS Europe in Madrid. Students can access the full range of activities by securing a NextGen Pass.
Organisations looking to participate in the 1:1 meetings can click [HERE] to coordinate their involvement.