Bridging the game's future
Malfa Hall, Misk City – 10th & 11th December
In a time when football is expanding beyond its traditional borders, WFS Riyadh becomes the place where East and West, legacy and innovation, tradition and ambition, and purpose and business come together — bridging the game’s future.
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
WFS Riyadh Key Figures
WFS Riyadh has become the regional benchmark for football business and innovation, with the 2024 edition setting new standards for global participation and impact.
Attendees
0
+
Speakers
0
+
Rightholders
0
+
Media
0
+
Countries
0
+
Networking Days
0
+
Speakers at WFS Riyadh 2025
Speakers at
WFS Riyadh 2025
Ahmed
Albahrani
Director of the Grassroots Department – Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Ahmed
Albahrani
Sports Media Professional, Executive Director of the Referees Committee, Executive Director of the Commissioners and Coordinators Department, and Director of the Grassroots Department
Mai
Alhelabi
CEO – Local Organization Committee – Asia Cup 2027
Mai
Alhelabi
I’m currently the CEO of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Local Organizing Committee. I’ve spent over 20 years working in business development, project management, and international event hosting, and I’ve had the privilege of helping shape the sports and entertainment landscape in Saudi Arabia. Over the years, I’ve overseen and delivered more than 100 international sporting events across the Kingdom , always with a focus on excellence, integration, and creating experiences that have a real social.
Bader
Aljeraisy
GM of Privatization – Ministry of Sport
Bader
Aljeraisy
Bader Al Jeraisy is the General Manager of Privatization at the Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia, leading one of the Kingdom’s most strategic transformation initiatives. He is responsible for designing & implementing the sports privatization framework, building investment opportunities, and engaging both domestic and international stakeholders to accelerate the growth and professionalization of the sector. Bader brings a multidisciplinary approach to structuring deals and evaluating long-term asset value.
Ibrahim
Almoaiqel
Assistant Deputy Minister for Investment and Privatization – Ministry of Sport – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ibrahim
Almoaiqel
Ibrahim Almoaiqel is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Investment and Privatization at the Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia, leading efforts to commercialize the sports sector, expand private sector involvement, and oversee the national privatization program—ranging from transforming state-owned sports clubs into private entities to evaluating the privatization of major sports assets including Stadia and Sports cities.
Lamia
Bahaian
Vice President – Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Lamia
Bahaian
Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Lamia Bahaian is the first female Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). A pioneer of Saudi women’s football who has been involved in the game for over 15 years, she also supervises the SAFF Women’s Football Department. During her tenure at the Federation since 2020, she helped establish four women’s national teams, two leagues and four regional training centres across the country.
Esteve
Calzada
CEO – Al Hilal
Esteve
Calzada
Esteve Calzada is a seasoned executive with over 22 years of experience in the global sports industry. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Al Hilal Club Company (Saudi Arabia), the most decorated football team in Asia. Formerly Chief Commercial Officer at City Football Group (Manchester City) and FC Barcelona, he also founded Post United, a leading Spanish digital football media platform. Esteve is recognized for his expertise in sports marketing, having authored the book Show Me The Money!
Ben
Harburg
Chairman – Harburg Group
Ben
Harburg
Ben Harburg is a Managing Partner of Novo Capital a global, multi-stage investment firm. He is the principal of Harburg Group, a multi-club ownership group that is the owner of Al Kholood Club of the Saudi Pro League, and co-owner of Cádiz Club de Fútbol of LaLiga Hypermotion and Querétaro Fútbol Club of Liga MX. He is a board director of various private companies, as well as those of several foundations in the arts, geopolitical and academic arenas.
David
Henry
CEO – Mohammed Bin Salman Non Profit City
David
Henry
An industry veteran with over four decades of experience in property development, David Henry leads the team responsible for developing Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City. From the project’s inception, Henry has been committed to the goal of establishing Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City as a premiere ecosystem for youth, and a global center for incubating innovative, educational, and creative enterprises.
Basim
Ibrahim
Sport Investments Director – Ministry of Investment
Basim
Ibrahim
Basim is the Investment Development Director for the Sport Sector at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment. He supports local and foreign investment across education, training, sport, and quality-of-life sectors. Formerly in the private sector, he attracted global companies to Saudi Arabia. He now leads the expansion and transformation of the Saudi sports ecosystem, creating strong investment opportunities and a smooth business environment.
Omar
Mugharbel
CEO – Saudi Pro League
Omar
Mugharbel
Omar Mugharbel is a dynamic and visionary leader, currently serving as the CEO of the Saudi Pro League (SPL). With a proven track record of driving organizational transformation and operational excellence, Mugharbel is spearheading the SPL’s efforts to transform Saudi Football. His mission centers on creating a sustainable and commercially viable league while preserving the essence of the sport.
Ralf
Reichert
CEO – Esports Worldcup Foundation
Ralf
Reichert
Ralf began his esports journey in the 90s, co-founding SK Gaming and later ESL, helping turn esports into a global phenomenon. As Chairman of ESL Faceit Group, he oversaw its rise into a billion-dollar brand. In 2023, he became CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, leading efforts to elevate esports to a premier global sport and grow the foundation as a driving force in the industry.
Javier
Tebas
President – LALIGA
Javier
Tebas
Javier Tebas Medrano (San Jose, Costa Rica, 1962), of Spanish nationality, holds a degree in Law from the University of Zaragoza. He has been a practising lawyer since 1987 and founded his own legal firm, specialising in Company Law and, subsequently, in sports and bankruptcy law. Tebas’s direct involvement in football began in 1993, when he was named president of Sociedad Deportiva Huesca, a position he held until 1998 (a period during which the club competed in Spain’s Tercera Division and Segunda Division B).
Ahmed
Albahrani
Ahmed
Albahrani
Sports Media Professional, Executive Director of the Referees Committee, Executive Director of the Commissioners and Coordinators Department, and Director of the Grassroots Department
Mai
Alhelabi
Mai
Alhelabi
I’m currently the CEO of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Local Organizing Committee. I’ve spent over 20 years working in business development, project management, and international event hosting, and I’ve had the privilege of helping shape the sports and entertainment landscape in Saudi Arabia. Over the years, I’ve overseen and delivered more than 100 international sporting events across the Kingdom , always with a focus on excellence, integration, and creating experiences that have a real social.
Bader
Aljeraisy
Bader
Aljeraisy
Bader Al Jeraisy is the General Manager of Privatization at the Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia, leading one of the Kingdom’s most strategic transformation initiatives. He is responsible for designing & implementing the sports privatization framework, building investment opportunities, and engaging both domestic and international stakeholders to accelerate the growth and professionalization of the sector. Bader brings a multidisciplinary approach to structuring deals and evaluating long-term asset value.
Ibrahim
Almoaiqel
Ibrahim
Almoaiqel
Ibrahim Almoaiqel is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Investment and Privatization at the Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia, leading efforts to commercialize the sports sector, expand private sector involvement, and oversee the national privatization program—ranging from transforming state-owned sports clubs into private entities to evaluating the privatization of major sports assets including Stadia and Sports cities.
Lamia
Bahaian
Lamia
Bahaian
Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Lamia Bahaian is the first female Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). A pioneer of Saudi women’s football who has been involved in the game for over 15 years, she also supervises the SAFF Women’s Football Department. During her tenure at the Federation since 2020, she helped establish four women’s national teams, two leagues and four regional training centres across the country.
Esteve
Calzada
Esteve
Calzada
Esteve Calzada is a seasoned executive with over 22 years of experience in the global sports industry. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Al Hilal Club Company (Saudi Arabia), the most decorated football team in Asia. Formerly Chief Commercial Officer at City Football Group (Manchester City) and FC Barcelona, he also founded Post United, a leading Spanish digital football media platform. Esteve is recognized for his expertise in sports marketing, having authored the book Show Me The Money!
Ben
Harburg
Ben
Harburg
Ben Harburg is a Managing Partner of Novo Capital a global, multi-stage investment firm. He is the principal of Harburg Group, a multi-club ownership group that is the owner of Al Kholood Club of the Saudi Pro League, and co-owner of Cádiz Club de Fútbol of LaLiga Hypermotion and Querétaro Fútbol Club of Liga MX. He is a board director of various private companies, as well as those of several foundations in the arts, geopolitical and academic arenas.
David
Henry
David
Henry
An industry veteran with over four decades of experience in property development, David Henry leads the team responsible for developing Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City. From the project’s inception, Henry has been committed to the goal of establishing Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City as a premiere ecosystem for youth, and a global center for incubating innovative, educational, and creative enterprises.
Basim
Ibrahim
Basim
Ibrahim
Basim is the Investment Development Director for the Sport Sector at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment. He supports local and foreign investment across education, training, sport, and quality-of-life sectors. Formerly in the private sector, he attracted global companies to Saudi Arabia. He now leads the expansion and transformation of the Saudi sports ecosystem, creating strong investment opportunities and a smooth business environment.
Omar
Mugharbel
Omar
Mugharbel
Omar Mugharbel is a dynamic and visionary leader, currently serving as the CEO of the Saudi Pro League (SPL). With a proven track record of driving organizational transformation and operational excellence, Mugharbel is spearheading the SPL’s efforts to transform Saudi Football. His mission centers on creating a sustainable and commercially viable league while preserving the essence of the sport.
Ralf
Reichert
Ralf
Reichert
Ralf began his esports journey in the 90s, co-founding SK Gaming and later ESL, helping turn esports into a global phenomenon. As Chairman of ESL Faceit Group, he oversaw its rise into a billion-dollar brand. In 2023, he became CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, leading efforts to elevate esports to a premier global sport and grow the foundation as a driving force in the industry.
Javier
Tebas
Javier
Tebas
Javier Tebas Medrano (San Jose, Costa Rica, 1962), of Spanish nationality, holds a degree in Law from the University of Zaragoza. He has been a practising lawyer since 1987 and founded his own legal firm, specialising in Company Law and, subsequently, in sports and bankruptcy law. Tebas’s direct involvement in football began in 1993, when he was named president of Sociedad Deportiva Huesca, a position he held until 1998 (a period during which the club competed in Spain’s Tercera Division and Segunda Division B).
Ahmed
Albahrani
Director of the Grassroots Department – Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Ahmed
Albahrani
Sports Media Professional, Executive Director of the Referees Committee, Executive Director of the Commissioners and Coordinators Department, and Director of the Grassroots Department
Mai
Alhelabi
CEO – Local Organization Committee – Asia Cup 2027
Mai
Alhelabi
I’m currently the CEO of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Local Organizing Committee. I’ve spent over 20 years working in business development, project management, and international event hosting, and I’ve had the privilege of helping shape the sports and entertainment landscape in Saudi Arabia. Over the years, I’ve overseen and delivered more than 100 international sporting events across the Kingdom , always with a focus on excellence, integration, and creating experiences that have a real social.
Bader
Aljeraisy
GM of Privatization – Ministry of Sport
Bader
Aljeraisy
Bader Al Jeraisy is the General Manager of Privatization at the Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia, leading one of the Kingdom’s most strategic transformation initiatives. He is responsible for designing & implementing the sports privatization framework, building investment opportunities, and engaging both domestic and international stakeholders to accelerate the growth and professionalization of the sector. Bader brings a multidisciplinary approach to structuring deals and evaluating long-term asset value.
Ibrahim
Almoaiqel
Assistant Deputy Minister for Investment and Privatization – Ministry of Sport – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ibrahim
Almoaiqel
Ibrahim Almoaiqel is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Investment and Privatization at the Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia, leading efforts to commercialize the sports sector, expand private sector involvement, and oversee the national privatization program—ranging from transforming state-owned sports clubs into private entities to evaluating the privatization of major sports assets including Stadia and Sports cities.
Lamia
Bahaian
Vice President – Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Lamia
Bahaian
Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Lamia Bahaian is the first female Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). A pioneer of Saudi women’s football who has been involved in the game for over 15 years, she also supervises the SAFF Women’s Football Department. During her tenure at the Federation since 2020, she helped establish four women’s national teams, two leagues and four regional training centres across the country.
Esteve
Calzada
CEO – Al Hilal
Esteve
Calzada
Esteve Calzada is a seasoned executive with over 22 years of experience in the global sports industry. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Al Hilal Club Company (Saudi Arabia), the most decorated football team in Asia. Formerly Chief Commercial Officer at City Football Group (Manchester City) and FC Barcelona, he also founded Post United, a leading Spanish digital football media platform. Esteve is recognized for his expertise in sports marketing, having authored the book Show Me The Money!
Hicham
El Amrani
Senior Advisor – Saudi Arabia Football Federation
Hicham
El Amrani
Hicham is an expert in Sports Development and Football Management. After graduating from the FIFA Master in Sports Humanities, Management and Law in 2004, he joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, dealing with event management, marketing and sponsorship matters for over 4 years.
Ben
Harburg
Chairman – Harburg Group
Ben
Harburg
Ben Harburg is a Managing Partner of Novo Capital a global, multi-stage investment firm. He is the principal of Harburg Group, a multi-club ownership group that is the owner of Al Kholood Club of the Saudi Pro League, and co-owner of Cádiz Club de Fútbol of LaLiga Hypermotion and Querétaro Fútbol Club of Liga MX. He is a board director of various private companies, as well as those of several foundations in the arts, geopolitical and academic arenas.
David
Henry
CEO – Mohammed Bin Salman Non Profit City
David
Henry
An industry veteran with over four decades of experience in property development, David Henry leads the team responsible for developing Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City. From the project’s inception, Henry has been committed to the goal of establishing Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City as a premiere ecosystem for youth, and a global center for incubating innovative, educational, and creative enterprises.
Basim
Ibrahim
Sport Investments Director – Ministry of Investment
Basim
Ibrahim
Basim is the Investment Development Director for the Sport Sector at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment. He supports local and foreign investment across education, training, sport, and quality-of-life sectors. Formerly in the private sector, he attracted global companies to Saudi Arabia. He now leads the expansion and transformation of the Saudi sports ecosystem, creating strong investment opportunities and a smooth business environment.
Omar
Mugharbel
CEO – Saudi Pro League
Omar
Mugharbel
Omar Mugharbel is a dynamic and visionary leader, currently serving as the CEO of the Saudi Pro League (SPL). With a proven track record of driving organizational transformation and operational excellence, Mugharbel is spearheading the SPL’s efforts to transform Saudi Football. His mission centers on creating a sustainable and commercially viable league while preserving the essence of the sport.
Ralf
Reichert
CEO – Esports Worldcup Foundation
Ralf
Reichert
Ralf began his esports journey in the 90s, co-founding SK Gaming and later ESL, helping turn esports into a global phenomenon. As Chairman of ESL Faceit Group, he oversaw its rise into a billion-dollar brand. In 2023, he became CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, leading efforts to elevate esports to a premier global sport and grow the foundation as a driving force in the industry.
Brands at WFS Riyadh 2025
Brands at
WFS Riyadh 2025
The World Football Summit experience
The
World Football Summit experience
















































