- 1 200 attendees and decision-makers worldwide will debate and design the industry’s future around the most popular sport. Representatives from SAFA, CAF, Premier Soccer League, LaLiga, Meta, Hudl, Turkish Airlines, Microsoft, and other leading brands and football clubs will come together in an action-packed two-day event full of networking opportunities.
- 80+ speakers will participate across more than 24 panels, providing attendees with a 360º view of the entire business of football. Detailed discussions on the future of African football, the FIFA World Cup, performance, web3 in sports, investment trends, fan engagement, sustainability and development, and everything in between will take place across 2 live stages.
World Football Summit will celebrate the first-ever WFS Africa and it is all systems go. The bumper event will take place at Durban’s International Conference Centre (ICC) on 16-17 November 2022.
More than 1 200 football stakeholders will gather at the epicenter of the global sports business ecosystem to discuss various ways to grow African football.
The hybrid and historic event promises to shape the future of the African football industry going forward.
Almost two years after canceling the event originally planned for March 2020, when the world was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic, World Football Summit is heading back to make WFS Africa a reality:
- When: 16-17 November 2022
- Where: The ICC, Durban
- Doors open at 9.00 AM
Over the course of two full days, attendees will enjoy the possibility to network and engage with every panel and guest thanks to the official World Football Summit App and accelerate opportunities that would normally take years to materialize.
Watch the official trailer of the event HERE
Ms. Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Premier of Kwazulu-Natal, who is a staunch supporter of the event, explained the economic impact that it can have in the region:
“Hosting the first-ever WFS Africa helps us be at the center of the football industry for two days and welcome some of the brightest minds in the world of sport benefits our region on many fronts: it creates awareness at a global level and attracts tourism, which creates a substantial economic impact in the form of new opportunities for local and African businesses and employment.
Moreover, there is a transfer of knowledge from the experts to our people, which helps us nurture talent and expose our youth to the international community of football leaders.”
After successfully organizing WFS Europe in Sevilla on the 28th-29th of September, making it one of the organization’s strongest events, the focus is now on meeting expectations for the African edition. Ms. Amanda Mapena, MEC for Sport, Arts & Culture in KwaZulu-Natal, summarized this feeling during her participation in the opening ceremony of WFS Europe.
“Africa has some of the best football talents on the planet. Now we want to develop the next generation of football professionals and football as an industry.”
During the 48-hour time span, over 80 change-makers will share their knowledge and expertise on the live stage providing a 360º view of the present and future of football, covering the most relevant topics for the industry including the latest trends around web3, the FIFA World Cup, the consolidation of women’s football, sustainability, or how to connect with the sports fan of the future.
Some of the biggest names in the world of football who will be part of the event include:
- Dr. Danny Jordaan – President of SAFA
- Desiree Ellis – Reigning CAF Women Coach of the Year and SA Senior Women’s Nationa coach
- Lola Ogunbote – Head of Women’s Football at Burnley FC
- Brenda Kunda – Director at Bresmar Investment Ltd
- Marcos Pelegrin – Managing Director LaLiga Africa
They, along with all the other speakers, whose details are found on the official World Football Summit web page, will offer timeless insights and wisdom that will help Africa become a global football hub.
Dr. Danny Jordaan, President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), and the man behind landing the first World Cup in Africa in 2010, had this to say about the opportunities WFS Africa can create for the industry:
“We want Africa to convert its potential into reality but this can only be done if the continent taps and implement business ideas from the rest of the world and WFS provides such opportunities. Talent-wise, Africa has shown that it is up there with the best but unless you transform your business model, the continent will continue to play catch up with the rest of the world.
“We need to move into the world of digitalization, technology, integration, and commercialization. These are all catalysts for the massive growth of the game.
To start creating these opportunities, the executives, and main decision-makers from some of the biggest brands in football such as SAFA, CAF, Premier Soccer League, LaLiga, Meta, Hudl, or Turkish Airlines will provide their support in finally making this event a reality.
As stated by World Football Summit Director and Co-Founder, Marian Otamendi:
“The entire WFS team is incredibly excited to have the opportunity finally bring our flagship event to Africa. After having to cancel the event back in 2020, the support and efforts from all governing and sports institutions of the region have been amazing, and we are certain WFS Africa will be well worth the wait.”
Similarly, Jan Alessie showed his appreciation and excitement for finally being able to bring World Football Summit’s flagship event to the region:
“Back in March of 2020, it broke our hearts to cancel WFS Africa just as it was about to take place, but now, we have come out of it stronger, and we are excited to finally announce to the whole African football and sports industry that …WE’RE BACK!
We are confident this summit will be the first of many and that it will play a vital role in shaping the future of football in the region.
Special thanks to all the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Ms. Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and Mr. Danny Jordaan, recently reelected president of SAFA, for their great support to help us see WFS Africa come true.
All in all, WFS Africa promises to be an event to remember and those interested in joining are still on time to do so by visiting www.africa.worldfootballsummit.com
WORLD FOOTBALL SUMMIT: WHERE THE FOOTBALL INDUSTRY MEETS
World Football Summit is where the football industry’s leading stakeholders meet to shape the future of the beautiful game. Our platform has evolved from an annual gathering held in Madrid, focused on the European market, to a growing series of 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, share knowledge and promote innovation to drive progress for the game and the industry.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jaime Domínguez / CMO/ press@worldfootballsummit.com
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