Highlights: World Football Summit Unites Industry Leaders to Shape the Future of Global Football

The 8th edition of the World Football Summit took place last week in Seville, Spain, bringing together dignitaries from across the football industry. The two-day event covered key topics shaping the future of the game.

The opening ceremony featured Maria Otamendi of World Football Summit and José María Arrabal, followed by LaLiga President Javier Tebas, who shared insights on football’s future. Rita Guarino, Emily Heath, and Amanda Lima emphasized the role of female role models in breaking stereotypes and promoting gender equality in football, inspiring young girls and boys alike.

In a panel on football and AI, Yacine Alaoui, Director of Strategy and Development at OGC Nice, Chiarman Apex Capital Luis Vicente and others discussed the importance of human involvement in AI systems, emphasizing that AI’s impact on football will depend on the quality of the data it is fed. He highlighted the scarcity of data in women’s football, noting that this limits the full potential of AI applications in the sport.

Another session focused on sports, technology, and pop culture, where Maurits Schön from Onefootball, and Anna Guarnerio, International Media Rights Director at Lega Serie A, discussed the importance of blending traditional and new media to engage fans more deeply. They stressed that reaching broader audiences and attracting new fans requires fresh content and platforms that cater to evolving viewing habits.

Another major highlight is the WFS awards aimed at celebrating winners on and off the pitch honoring top achievers in 12 different categories acknowledging their hardwork and dedication. The Santiago Bernabeu was recognized as the best stadium in the world in 2024 for its economic and cultural hub of Madrid underlining the stadium's capacity to international tourists hosting concerts of Taylor Swifts, Karol G. According to the co-founder of the World Football Summit, said:

The Santiago Bernabéu is not just a stadium, it is a showcase of the future of sports and entertainment venues.

About World Football Summit

World Football Summit is where the football industry’s leading stakeholders meet to shape the future of the beautiful game. The platform has evolved from a yearly gathering taking place in Madrid, focused on the European market, to a growing series of global on-site and online events that cover the challenges and opportunities of the different regions and sectors in this thriving industry. WFS is powered by a global community of influential professionals sharing a unique passion for the business of sports and a mission to spark discussion, generate knowledge and promote innovation to drive progress for the game and the industry.