Been in the football industry since 2010, first directly involved in the Club Operations for Necaxa and since 2014 in the Stadium, during this time we have organized many events, of course soccer related, but also NFL, Concerts, FIFA Congress. During this time we were able to bring Cruz Azul as a tenant, and currently we are fully commited to the remodelation of the stadium and to the FIFA 2026 World Cup to be innaugurated in the Estadio Azteca.

Corporate Executive Officer in J.LEAGUE since 2023, in charge of the Global business, including international partnerships and relationships with leagues and clubs.

A TV sports reporter, I started in 2001 I did more than 3000 flash interviews with the biggest football stars around the world, I spoke Arabic, English, Spanish, and a little French

Razan is an accomplished professional in the public and private sectors in the GCC with more than 12 years of experience spanning across multiple sectors such as Sports, Culture, Education & Human Capital Development, and Finance. Razan was nominated in 2021 to be on the Board of the Saudi Arabian Modern Pentathlon Federation – a newly formed sports federation in KSA – leading its strategy development, financial planning and operations and is a member of the Strategy and International Affairs Committees. She is also the Vice President of the Board of the Arab Modern Pentathlon Federation.

Hammad Albalawi is an experienced leader in the sports and tourism sectors committed to serving Saudi Arabia’s remarkable transformation as part of Vision 2030. He currently heads up the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™ 2034 bid unit at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). He leads a team across all functions set out to achieve Saudi Arabia’s dreams of hosting the largest-ever edition of a 48-team FIFA World Cup™ held in a single nation. The bid recently revealed details of its ambition to host the iconic global football event, held under the slogan ‘Growing. Together.’ Albalawi previously held the role of Assistant Deputy Minister for Strategic Planning & Investment at the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport. He oversaw both the strategy and investment departments at a time of incredible development for the sports sector. He led a team that helped formulate the Kingdom’s ambitious National Sports Strategy, built on three core pillars – mass participation, talent development and elite performance. The role also included working closely with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and Saudi Pro League to develop the National Football Strategy, a long-term transformative approach to all areas of the Saudi game. On the investment side, Hammad led the privatization initiative of state-owned sports assets for the very first time, which included implementing regulatory and policy changes aimed at making the sector more attractive to local and foreign investors. The project also included helping support realizing a return on investment for numerous sports federation’s intellectual property (IP), such as the Formula 1® Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, while assisting on engagement with the private sector, including the sale of naming rights and establishing new commercial opportunities.

«A brand of success, a mother of two who is willing to go above and beyond to reach her goals.”

She has a BBA Major in Finance and Minor in Global Studies, Drury University, MO, USA and started her career at Project & Corporate Financing, Treasury Department, Saudi Aramco

In February 2022 she started an internship at the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF), Madrid, Spain.

Coach of the FT MBA 2022 Football Team, which played against other MBA schools.

She has two careers running in parallel: a professional career with Saudi Aramco, and as a Football Coach & Manager. At Saudi Aramco. Her proudest achievement was closing a 2 billion dollar deal. The deal was a first of its kind! The feeling of success was just indescribable.

I am a partnerships manager at TikTok who is leading on the partnership with the Saudi League, the Qatari league and the UAE Pro League. Also, I am working closely with clubs and entities in sports within the region in developing them and expanding their reach and also finding ways of work that can benefit them. Within the saudi league, I have been able to activate the league and clubs in several in-app activations that have seen success and we are working further to benefit the league by providing TikTok creators who are enriching the content space for the league through their global reach.

With over a decade of experience in leading marketing roles, Aya returns to her roots by leveraging her expertise in brand strategy, communication, public relations, and creative project management to help build Saudi Arabia’s newest and mightiest football club. After 10 years of hustling in the advertising realm as a team director, she has explored every marketing avenue to enhance brand image and management. Her experience in event marketing for MENA’s largest media tycoon gives her a comprehensive view of the marketing landscape. Growing up on a football field, with her father as a football club president in Beirut, Aya has aligned her personal life with the passion of football fanatics. This background allows her to deeply understand community and fan engagement.

With extensive experience in sports schools across Europe and the USA, he brings valuable sports knowledge to his role. Trilingual and strategically minded, he is young and driven, eager to make a meaningful impact in the Saudi sports community.

His Excellency Mr. Bader bin Abdulrahman Alkadi holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the College of Business at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, specializing in Financial Management, and a master’s degree in Sports Management and Entertainment from ISDE University in Spain. He began his professional career 20 years ago at HSBC Bank in London, then returned to the Kingdom and transitioned to the trade and retail sector, where he worked for 10 years at Procter & Gamble. He also held several executive positions in various regional and international companies, most recently as the CEO of United Matbouli Group – Samsung. In 2020, his Excellency was appointed as CEO of the General Sport Authority, and later served as an advisor to the Minister of Sport until a royal decree was issued appointing him as Vice Minister of Sport in September 2021. His Excellency is a member of several boards and committees, including the Quality-of-Life Program Committee, Saudi Red Sea Authority Executive Committee, and National Curriculum Center Board of Directors. While serving as the vice chairman for the SURJ Sports Investments

Rasha has +9 years in leading consulting firms in Riyadh. During this time, she specialized in
designing and implementing dynamic strategies, business re-engineering, target operating
models, performance management, and conducting in-depth cost analyses within the Sports,Culture, and Entertainment industries.Rasha is a board member on Al’Ula sports Club and she’s the VP of the BoD at the Saudi Boxing Federation. Rasha also sits on the BoD at the Asian Boxing Co-federation, and spearheads the women committee at the Arab Boxing Federation.Rasha is a graduate of the University of Southern California, holding a Master’s in Public
Policy and Management. A sports enthusiast that holds 4 Guinness World Records. Rasha is
also the first female certified boxing coach from the Saudi Boxing Federation.

Khalid Al-Khudair is the CEO of SMC. His previous role to SMC was CXO to one of the largest banks in the Kingdom leading the experience and brand transformation and chairs the Media committee on behalf of all Saudi Banks.
Khalid Founded Glowork in 2010, an employment organization that created thousands of jobs for women and placed over 40,000 women thus far.
He is the first Saudi Ashoka Fellow, Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum & an Endeavor Entrepreneur.
Khalid has held the role of Chief Operating Officer- Markets at KPMG in Saudi, Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan.
He has a Bachelors Degree in Commerce from Saint Mary’s University in Canada with three majors, Marketing, HR and Psychology, and has completed his Executive Education in Leadership at the University of Yale, and in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School.
Khalid a multi-award leader with and acclaimed personality with awards and titles such as the Chaillot Prize for Human Rights by the European Union, The King Salman Award for Entrepreneurship, Ranked 3# Most Influential Arab by Arabian Business, EY Entrepreneur of The Year, amongst many others.
Khalid sits on the board of management for the General Entertainment Authority also sits on a number of Advisory boards throughout the Globe including the L’Oréal Global Panel of Critical Friends, The Global Agenda Council on Middle East and North Africa Issues at the World Economic Forum, and is an Amend’s Fellow at the University of Stanford.

Goal-driven and highly motivated professional offering a unique combination of technical and business acumen.

Creating a vision, identifying opportunities, building organizations, and defining strategies to deliver sophisticated solutions.

-Founded Grintafy, the biggest Sportech startup in the Middle East
-Co-founded two startups in the mobile app development
-Regional director in a leading Tech firm for 8 years.
– Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Central Florida, USA
-Project Management Professional – PMI
-Risk Management Professional – PMI -Expert in BI, KPI and BSC.

Mazroua AlMazroua is a seasoned marketing and business development executive who has shaped his 20-year career building profitable client relationships, charting successful go-to-market strategies and driving impactful brand communications across the Kingdom’s most coveted corporations. Building on a strong foundation in finance and public engagement gained throughout his early career, AlMazroua currently serves as KAFD’s Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, powering Saudi Arabia’s premier business and lifestyle destination through an exciting and exceptional phase of transformation into a vehicle of economic development for the nation and a destination of endless delight for residents and visitors alike. His diverse background and extensive experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of customer behaviors within the Saudi market and its unique dynamics.

Mr. Bandar Almugayel
President of Riyadh SC | Board Member, Shumou Investment
Mr. Bandar Almugayel is an influential figure in both the sports and investment sectors in Saudi Arabia. He currently serves as the President of Riyadh SC, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the club’s strategic direction and growth. With a strong focus on enhancing Riyadh SC’s competitiveness in the Saudi Premier League and beyond, Mr. Almugayel is committed to elevating the club to new heights.
In addition to his leadership at Riyadh SC, Mr. Almugayel is a respected board member of Shumou Investment, a key player in Saudi Arabia’s diverse investment landscape. His extensive experience in corporate governance and strategic management has made him a valuable asset in advancing the company’s objectives and expanding its business ventures across the Kingdom.

Hissah AlMuneef is a visionary leader in Artificial Intelligence, currently heading the AI Center of Excellence at SCAI with a strategic focus on Sports and Media solutions. With a rich background in driving innovation, she has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge products like SportNative for SportsTech and SCAI’s AdTech platform for Media, alongside impactful contributions to Smart Cities and other transformative industries.
Hissah specializes in designing and executing large-scale AI initiatives, fostering partnerships with global and local stakeholders to deliver seamless, scalable solutions. Her work consistently emphasizes leveraging AI for commercial growth and sustainable innovation.
A recognized thought leader in the field, Hissah actively shares her expertise at renowned platforms such as the World Football Summit. Her commitment to AI excellence and her vision for its transformative potential continue to shape the future of AI-driven solutions across sectors.

Osamah leads the marketing and corporate communications division at Riyadh Air, charged with multi-vertical marketing activation to generate brand growth through to sales attribution.
A marketeer professional with +15 year’s of work experience across multiple industries within the private and government sectors. Business driven within the field of consumer marketing, communication and branding.

Yazeed Al Rasheed is an accomplished media and communications executive, boasting
more than 15 years of versatile expertise in Communication, Public Relations, and both Traditional and Digital Media. With a rich background in Marketing and Communications, he has actively contributed to significant events and sports organizations, ranging from National Federations to international platforms. Alrasheed also have played pivotal role in delivering global football events in Saudi Arabia such as FIFA Club World Cup 2023 Saudi Arabia:tm: and FIFA Series:tm:. Presently serving as the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the Local organizing committee of AFC Asian Cup 2027 Saudi Arabia, Yazeed also holds the role of Communications Director for the Riyadh 2034 Asian Games. His leadership and strategic insights continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and success of these prominent ventures.

Sultan Althari is a Founding Partner at The Althari Group, a global strategic advisory and investment firm, where he leads a portfolio of engagements at the intersection of sports, media, and entertainment. As a member of the Executive and Investment Committees at Al Shabab FC, he oversees strategic investments and global outreach. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the World Football Summit and previously served as a Senior Advisor at Inter Miami CF. Sultan is a Harvard University alumnus and a best-selling author, widely recognized for his insights into socio-economic, cultural, and geopolitical trends.

*Razan* is a seasoned football reporter and producer with over a decade of experience in the industry. Holding a Master’s degree in Public Policy, she brings a unique perspective to sports journalism, combining analytical skills with her passion for storytelling.

Her love for football began before she even watched cartoons, shaping a lifelong dedication to the sport. Razan has worked extensively with international players, creating compelling content that showcases their journeys both on and off the pitch.

With an eye for detail and a deep understanding of the game, Razan continues to make an impact in the world of sports media, sharing stories that inspire and connect fans globally.

Global marketing executive, innovator and a passionate leader of people. Mike is growth obsessed, forever curious, and itching for transformation.
He brings a unique blend of experience having had leadership roles across consumer packaged goods, media, and sport industries.
Mike is the recipient of the Leaders in Sport Under 40 award, recognized globally among sports professionals for driving innovation and growth. As well, he’s received «5 to Watch» within the Canadian sports ecosystem. He’s seen his campaigns scale to countries worldwide, been published by Think with Google, won numerous industry awards, and judged at local and international advertising competitions.
Presently Mike is the CMO at Juventus Football Club.

Raj is an inspirational and collaborative CEO having previously worked at top clubs including Glasgow Rangers, Coventry City and Watford bringing over 25 years of experience of working in the higher echelons of British football to India’s top flight league.

He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked in the English Premiership and Championship with some of the World’s top coaches.

Executive and entrepreneur with over 17 years of leadership in high-impact projects tied to Vision 2030, especially in sports and infrastructure development. Known for steering projects of high national priority such as King Abdullah Sports City (Jawhara) and the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithraa). He has a proven record of success in capital program management, project execution, and joint ventures. As a fervent enthusiast of sports and adventure, he founded Seed Capital Solutions Ltd in 2015 to leverage his strategic insight in development with a deep enthusiasm for sports, particularly football. Majed is currently exploring the landscape seeking to provide impactful value propositions within the footballing ecosystem as the country steps up its development leading up to the World Cup 2034.

Dominican economist, relocated to Spain, with almost two decades fully dedicated to the sports & entertainment industry. Founded and runs an international partnerships & business strategy advisory firm, under his own vision and brand called The Connect, from where he serves as Strategic Advisor to different companies, like Euroleague Basketball, Rakuten Inc., and Palladium Hotel Group, to name a few. Also co-founded and is a Managing Partner of SPORTHINK, a specialized advisory firm focused in investment capital sourcing for sports entities that seek financing and investment into technological transformation activities. Has been the Managing Director of an international sports marketing agency, leading business development for Southern Europe and the Americas, while handling the agency operations in the Iberian Peninsula. Previously, was part of the leadership structure of Euroleague Basketball in its marketing partnerships department, while also undertaking the strategic direction of the league’s digital business, and content marketing operations, creating award winning branded content and activation projects.

Member of the World Football Summit Advisory Board, and the Mentorship Board of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft.

Throughout his career has worked in commercial and activation projects with Euroleague Basketball, MotoGP, the NBA and some of its franchises, some of the top Major League Baseball franchises, LaLiga, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the World Surf League, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Valencia CF, and several other sports properties. On the brand partnership building and activation side, has worked and continues to have a working relationship with decision makers at some of the renowned global brands in the space, namely TAG Heuer, BMW, Santander Bank, Red Bull, TIDAL, New Balance, Turkish Airlines, Adidas, 2K Sports, Nike, Spalding, New Era Cap, and The Upper Deck Company, etc.

Vítor Baía, is a Portuguese Football Legend, one of the most decorated and legendary goalkeepers of all time, one of the footballers with more titles worldwide (35) and also one of the only ten players that won all the three main European Club Competitions. He was intimately connected with Fc Porto, where he has achieved a very successful transition from Athlete to Football Executive, starting in the youth ranks of the club in 1984/85 season, finishing his athlete career there in 2006/2007 and then moving to a successful executive career initially as Institutional Relations Director in 2007 moving after to the role of Club Vice President and SAD Board Member in 2020. Vitor played as well for FC Barcelona and for the Portuguese National Team having 80 international caps under his belt. A leader inside and outside the pitch, Vitor is also a known social activist, as President of his own Foundation set in 2004.

Mohammed J. Basrawi is a seasoned marketing and branding expert with over 16 years of experience across diverse industries. He excels in crafting innovative marketing strategies that drive business growth and elevate brand reputation. Mohammed is a results-oriented leader with a passion for building strong brands and delivering compelling narratives. His expertise spans project management, digital marketing, and customer experience.

Mohammed holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from California State University, San Bernardino, and a BS in Management Information Systems from the University of Business and Technology in Jeddah.

Expert in the marketing of sports and entertainment content and rights with an international oriented professional track record and with a clear focus on creating business opportunities.

Dietmar “Didi” Beiersdorfer is in charge with FC Ingolstadt 04 as CEO, where the global automotive company Audi AG is one of the key shareholders. Prior to this, he established one of the first multi-club structures with Red Bull and led the traditional clubs Hamburger SV and Zenit FC into the UEFA Champions League. Dietmar also worked as international advisor for several sports start-ups and in the sports science sector. In his previous career on the pitch, he played for Hamburger SV, SV Werder Bremen, 1. FC Köln, former Serie A-Club AC Reggiana and the German National Team. He won the DFB Pokal, the German Cup, and the German championship. After this time, he finished his studies in economics while already working for KPMG. From there he went to HSV as sporting director and vice president, and he started his career as one of the top managers in soccer business.

Mayur has close to two-decades of experience as a broadcaster and in the PR & Communications space. In this time Mayur has worked across the Middle East and North Africa region, South East Asia, India and across Europe for many leading organisations such as the BBC, beIN SPORTS, LaLiga and Sky Sports.

Currently Mayur leads PR, Communications and Media Relations for Raiola Global Management, supporting many of the leading athletes from the world of football.

Turki is the General Manager of the Sport Sector within the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. He has held various leadership positions and has worked across multiple initiatives with different sectorial focuses concentrated around Urban Planning, Infrastructural and Environmental Planning, and Strategic Development. He also holds a position as the Deputy Executive Director of Green Riyadh, a megaproject which is considered one of the most iconic projects directly linked to achieving the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision.

James Bisgrove joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah as CEO in June 2024, charged with leading the club’s transformation on and off the field into one of the leading sports organizations in Saudi Arabia and across Asia. Previously CEO and Board member of Glasgow giants Rangers FC, James led significant revenue growth and was part of the management team that enjoyed a run to a European final in 2022; he was also appointed to the board of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) in 2023. Before the Rangers, James was the Head of Sponsorship for the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League, working both in-house at UEFA and, later, at TEAM Marketing, based in Switzerland. James has further commercial and football marketing experience in the Middle East, where he led global sponsorship activities at Emirates Airline based out of Dubai.

Inigo is a global sports executive with over a decade’s experience delivering growth projects that combine technology innovation with sports, representing market leaders including LALIGA, GSIC and San Miguel. He now fulfils the role of global client partner at Sportian, the sports technology division at Globant, with a strong focus on the northern EMEA and South East Asia markets.

I have been a hotelier for over 28 years and in an Executive Management Position for the last 20. I have been in charge of opening 4 hotels in 4 different countries (United Kingdom, Spain, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia) where I had to supervise the final construction and delivery of the buildings while at the same time build up from the ground a professional and motivated team in each of the locations. My hotels have been honoured to host teams as the National French Football Team, National Saudi Football Team (both male and female), Valencia CF, Atletico de Madrid, Al Nassar and many other.

Lucas is Director of Operations at 433. With more than 15 years of experience in the digital world, he specializes in building brands on social media, developing digital platforms, and creating online video formats that engage and inspire. Lucas leads a team of experts in digital marketing and social media. He built platforms, created innovative online video formats, and optimized digital marketing campaigns to achieve maximum results. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Lucas is committed to help clients achieve their goals and succeed in the digital world. He loves to be the connector between brands, ideas and most of all: people.

Experience in Sports & Entertainment and in football clubs advisory, management and ownership roles (FC Barcelona, City Football Group, Prime Time Sport). International Marketing and Business Development in several FMCG companies (Reckitt Benckiser, Sara Lee, Unilever). Author of the sports marketing book “Show Me The Money”, translated into 5 languages

Carlos Cantó has 30+ years of experience in sports+entertainment. Former VicePresident Consulting division at IMG (10+years) and at Lagardère Sports/SportFive. In 2016 he created SPSG Consulting, boutique consulting firm advising clubs, federations, leagues, events, investors and sponsors. Member of Board of Directors of Spanish Marketing Association (AMKT). For 2.5 years, Member of Board of Directors of RCDeportivo de La Coruña. Sport Business and Sponsorship professor at ESADE Business School and IE-Instituto Empresa. Lecturer at LALIGA Business School, Escuela Real Madrid. Member of the Advisory Board of BStadium, Q-Lac and WFS. BBA + MBA by ESADE and participated at CEMS (HEC-France).

Ryan Cardwell brings a wealth of expertise from his scouting background at Liverpool FC and Southampton FC to his role at Real Metric Analytics. With a deep understanding of the nuances of player evaluation and talent identification at the highest levels of the game, Ryan bridges traditional scouting insights with data-driven analytics, uniquely positioning him to support Real Metric’s mission. His time at Liverpool and Southampton has ingrained in him a profound appreciation for football’s strategic and tactical demands, allowing him to translate Real Metric’s advanced analytics into impactful, club-specific solutions. Ryan’s experience on the ground equips him to help clubs leverage data in ways that complement and elevate their scouting departments, aligning with Real Metric’s commitment to innovation and excellence in football analytics.

15 years experience in the mobile and VR industries. Francis is a serial entrepreneur, with strong expertise on mobile monetization, VR, AR, social media and sports fan engagement platforms. Computer Science Studies and associated Professor at Pompeu Fabra University for 10 years. He also holds a MBA from Ramon Llull University and Manhattan College.

Franck Castillo serves as the General Secretary of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), a position he has held since January 2018. He oversees the development and growth of football across the Pacific region, focusing on high performance and using the sport as a tool for positive change in communities. With a strong commitment to professionalising football, Castillo will be instrumental in launching the OFC Professional League, aimed at elevating the level of competition and providing more opportunities for clubs and players within the region. Prior to becoming General Secretary, he spent nearly a decade as OFC’s Head of Social Responsibility, where he developed a deeper knowledge for the Pacific. Castillo’s extensive experience in football management is supported by a Master’s degree in Communication, Marketing, and Administration from ISCT. His passion for the game is matched by his dedication to fostering professional football, ensuring that both on and off the pitch, the sport continues to grow.

Professor Simon Chadwick is a researcher, writer, academic, consultant, advisor, and speaker, whose work focuses on leading and managing in complex environments. His particular expertise is in policy and strategy, international and global environments, as well as business and marketing. He has three decades of experience working in the global sport, event, and cultural industries, particularly in an Afro-Eurasian setting.

Senior Sports Management Professional with 10+ years of Corporate Experience in the field of Football Management, player recruitment/scouting, Football Development, administration, Sports Marketing, Digital Media and Brand Management. Involved with the Indian Super League (the top tier of Indian Football) since its inception having taken up various senior management roles in player recruitment, club management, marketing, media, sponsorships and team operations.

Michele Ciccarese, a professional marketer with international managerial experience, has established a firm career in Advertising and Sports that spans for more than 15 years working as an expert consultant in developing strategic partnerships and media strategies based in major cities like Milan (Italy), Dubai (UAE), London (UK) and New York (USA).

Ivan Codina is a prominent figure at LaLiga, where he serves as Managing Director for Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. He has been instrumental in driving LaLiga’s brand development and commercial growth across these regions. Ivan has focused on building strong relationships with local football associations, securing commercial deals, and promoting LaLiga’s digital and social media presence tailored to the preferences of Asian audiences. Under his leadership, LaLiga has significantly expanded its footprint in Asia through initiatives such as launching regional offices (e.g., in Singapore), collaborating on local football development projects (like «Unleash the Roar» in Singapore), and organizing fan engagement activities like local watch parties and other partner related activations. Ivan’s efforts have also contributed to key partnerships with broadcasters in SEA, Australia, Japan and South Korea, as well as digital activations to engage younger audiences. His expertise in adapting LaLiga’s content to local languages and cultures, and his keen understanding of the unique fandom in countries like Japan and South Korea, have played a vital role in LaLiga’s success in Asia.

Tiago Costa Rocha is the CEO and co-founder of Full Venue, a Portuguese startup founded in 2020 that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help companies in the sports, events, and music sectors maximize the purchasing potential of their customers. Full Venue is especially known for predicting the likelihood of a customer making a purchase through digital platforms, enhancing the performance of marketing campaigns and audience segmentation. The company has already generated millions of euros in revenue for its clients and works with major events and organizations, such as the Belgian Football Federation and the Primavera Sound festival. Under Tiago’s leadership, Full Venue raised 2 million euros in a seed investment round, led by GED Ventures, to expand its international presence and develop new technological solutions. The company currently operates in several markets, including Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Finland, Belgium, Romania, and Chile.

Arianna is the Co-Founder and CEO of Valeur Sport. A groundbreaking platform that is a game-changer for women, designed to empower and uplift them by giving them the data, tools and networks they need to succeed. She is a founding member of Mercury 13 and works to uplift the football department. Before crossing over to the business of football she was a professional football player. Finishing her career at PSG with a dual role as player and working in the sponsorship department. Previously joining PSG she played in Italy, France, Sweden, Netherlands and Norway, and earned several caps with the Italian Women’s National Team, as well as appearances in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Alongside her professional football career she continued her education receiving a master’s degree in football business from the Football Business Academy, she was among the first cohort of students to receive the FIFA Diploma in Club Management, and she participated in the Crossover to Business Program from Harvard Business School.

Media executive heading up Whisper’s Middle East operations.
John has led the companies growth in the region since 2019 and has been responsible for a wide range of productions inc the recent Netflix SPL documentary, F1, FE, PPV boxing, PFL Mena & NEOM Beach Games

Yves De Cocker brings 2 decades of expertise and know how in hybrid grass technology.

Having worked for World Cups in 2010/2014/2018/2022 and Olympics in 2012 & 2016 Yves bridges the industry know how with end users, designers and sports event organisers. the Qatar World Cup 2022 was Yves’ latest success with the final game between France & Argentina played on his stitched hybrid pitch technology

Nick De Marco KC is ranked as one of top lawyers in sports law. He acts for international and domestic sports-governing bodies, federations, players, clubs, sponsors, broadcasters and agents across all sports in both commercial and regulatory disputes. He is recognised as the foremost expert in football regulatory issues by all the leading UK legal directories. In additional to acting in numerous high profile football disputes, he has a busy practice in many other international sports including boxing, motorsports, tennis, gymnastics, cricket, rugby and athletics. He regularly lectures and writes on sports law, is author and editor of ‘Football and the Law’ (Bloomsbury 2018 & 2022), contributor to ‘Lewis & Taylor: Sport and the Law’ (Bloomsbury, 2021) member of the Editorial Board of Law In Sport & Football Legal, is a director of the British Association for Sport and the Law (BASL). Nick also sits as an arbitrator across a number of sports.

With a reputation for connecting global sports brands, teams, leagues and properties with revenue-driving solutions and partnerships, Elevate Sports Venture’s Chief Business Officer, International, Shawn Doss will spearhead the agency’s international corporate development strategy, leading efforts to secure and deliver results for its worldwide roster of current and future clients.

Previously, Elevate’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, the 15-year industry veteran’s resume boasts experience with an impressive roster of US-based and international professional sports teams, leagues and properties, including: the EPL, Formula 1, the FIFA World Cup, the LFP, La Liga, and EuroLeague; the San Francisco 49ers and Levi’s Stadium; Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment’s New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center; the Arizona Coyotes, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, and more. As a founding member of the Elevate senior leadership team, Doss played a critical role in several of Elevate’s foremost client acquisitions and project management efforts which have culminated in three consecutive nominations to the esteemed Sports Business Awards in the Best in Property Consulting, Sales and Client Services.

Doss received his Master’s in Business Administration from Columbia University and B.S. in Finance from The Pennsylvania State University. The Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada native has called Madrid, New York, San Francisco, and Sydney home; he currently resides in London, England with his wife Jacqueline, daughter Naulakha (8) and son, Luciano (5).

Doss is a 2022 recipient of the internationally renowned Leaders in Sport, “Leaders Under 40” Award; and has acted for a Judge for the Leaders in Sports Awards from 2018 – 2021.

The appointment of Doss to the international growth role in May 2022, caped three years of significant growth for Elevate; now boasting an active client roster of over 175 sports teams, brands, venues, events and properties from am…

Kristian’s passion for sports, traveling and connecting (with) people has taken him to nearly 50 countries across all continents. A sports industry native, he studied Business Administration & Sports Management in Barcelona and California and cut his teeth working in different roles at Nike, Havas, Mediapro and eventually Soccerex. He then embarked on a more entrepreneurial path during which he faced great challenges as Partner at Axis 10 Sports Consulting Group and then as Business Development Director at ATEVO Sports Group. In late 2015, Kristian got together with a few former colleagues to start shaping an innovative and disruptive idea regarding the football industry that in 2017 came to life as The Football Business Academy – now recognized as a global leader in football business education. As Co-Founder and Deputy CEO of The FBA, he has been mainly in charge of developing and servicing The FBA’s 75+ partnerships, using his deep understanding of and network in the global football industry to facilitate valuable learning and networking experiences for everyone involved.

Carl is a leading licensing and commercial expert, his career has seen him working across the international regions in the sports and entertainment industries at Disney, Timberland and Umbro, building and leading teams to establish markets, deliver innovation, and drive success.
Working in the media industry as Managing Director at the world renowned Pinewood studios, and launching the international business unit for a US technology company, Carl has a track record of creating World firsts that gain global recognition, including award winning fan activations with FIFA at the 2018 World Cup and best Star Wars product range in 2017
This experience has shaped his knowledge base as to how to build a strategy that is relevant to his target customer, and Carl is now working on two incredible innovations in Football, which promise to offer holistic solutions as to how clubs and institutions can build a stronger engagement with their fanbase and drive significant incremental revenue streams.

Budreya Faisal is a pioneer in Arab football culture & marketing and the founder and president of Banaat FC, the UAE’s first women’s football club built on Arab identity and representation. With experience in the sports industry since 2009, Budreya has worked with the UAE Pro League and Shabab Al Ahli Club, adding value by building successful commercial programs. In 2017, she founded Ghost Concept, a creative agency renowned for its work with athletes, jersey reveal campaigns, club rebrands, and FIFA documentaries.
Through Banaat FC, Budreya has continued to break barriers, securing partnerships with TikTok and Nike—both the first of their kind in the Arab world for an independent women’s football club. Leveraging her leadership and creativity, Budreya has built a club that empowers female footballers while respecting Emirati cultural values, redefining opportunities for women in football across the UAE.

Guido Fienga is the CEO of Al Nassr Club Company. With over 30 years of experience in management and entrepreneurship, he is an accomplished executive who has worked across various sectors, including sports, media, finance, telecom, and consulting.

He has dedicated 15 years to the sports sector, notably as the former CEO of AS Roma in Italy. During his tenure, he successfully guided both organizations towards significant growth and international recognition.
Beyond his club roles, Fienga has been a prominent figure in the broader football landscape. He’s a member of Lega Serie A, the governing body of Italy’s top football league, and has advised several sports federations on strategy and development.

For the past four years, Fienga has been based in the Middle East, where he has played a crucial role in developing football clubs, managing TV rights, and organizing major football events.

In addition to his executive roles, he is a professor at Luiss University in Rome, where he teaches entrepreneurship, and in Dubai, where he is a professor of the Master’s degree in Sports Management.

Miklos Gabor is an economist with a degree from Corvinus University of Budapest and holds a master’s degree in communication from Lumsa University, Rome. He has worked many years on R&D projects in an international environment, with top-ranking universities and leading technology companies. He has joined NORT Complex with great enthusiasm being a football fan with the commitment to support the internationalization of this award winning innovative solution.

Shifa is the founding member and Chief Business Officer of Spectatr, a pioneering technology and AI solutions company revolutionizing the sports industry. Backed by Sequoia Capital, Spectatr is at the forefront of innovation in sports. With over a decade of financial and entrepreneurial expertise, Shifa brings a unique blend of strategic insight and operational acumen to her role. Before Spectatr, Shifa spent 5 years at Goldman Sachs, where she developed a keen understanding of financial markets and emerging technologies. Her passion for innovation led her to pivot to an operational role. Under Shifa’s leadership, Spectatr has achieved significant milestones, spearheading the company’s business vision and strategy. Her customer-first mindset ensures that Spectatr’s solutions are not only cutting-edge but also deeply attuned to the needs of their clients. Shifa’s dedication to leveraging technology and AI is driving a new era in sports, empowering clients to navigate the digital age with confidence.

With more than 10 years of experience in the sports industry, focused on the growth and operation of sports institutions, I am currently leading Club America´s strategy of Internationalization and brand growth. Before assuming this role, I performed as General Coordinator at Club América, where I oversaw the logistics of the first team, as well as coordinating with the marketing, commercial and social responsibility areas. Earlier in my career I worked at Liga MX as manager on the Competitions, Operations & development area, where we planned and executed U12 through First division leagues, as well as strategic guidance for clubs. I obtained MY bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Administration from Universidad Anáhuac and an International master’s degree in Business and Football Administration from the Johan Cruyff Institute. With outstanding skills in strategic planning, I am always committed to contributing to the growth of the sports sector, with a special focus on innovation and social responsibility.

Oscar González Peinado, CEO of TMJ, combines a passion for sports management with a global perspective, gained from a robust career in education and athletics.

Jonny Gray is Senior Managing Director at Ankura and co-lead of its global sports advisory practice. Ankura is a global expert services and advisory firm with offices worldwide, including Riyadh. Its sports practice work extensively in world football providing a wide range of expert services and advice to national and international governing bodies, clubs, investors and regulators. Additionally, Jonny is a retained advisor to the Council of Europe on National Sports Integrity Platforms, an Independent NED with the International Table Tennis Federation and an international sports disputes arbitrator. Previously he was the founding CEO of The International Tennis Integrity Agency responsible to setting up the ITIA and transforming the integrity of professional tennis worldwide.

Alex is a commercially focused sports marketing professional with over 15 years’ experience, delivering projects using the latest data-driven digital marketing techniques for leading brands and rights holders. As Director of Platforms, Data & Insight at Saracens Rugby Club, Gummer led the marketing function across the Saracens group.​ Prior to Saracens, Gummer was Client Services Director at Two Circles agency where he worked on data projects for a host of properties including Wimbledon, IOC, UEFA, Liverpool FC, AFC Bournemouth, and the LTA.​ Gummer’s position as SVP at dentsu Sports Analytics sees him lead the company’s strategy and client delivery in EMEA, across a variety of world-leading brands and properties within the sports and entertainment sector.

Shireen is a Senior Principal and a member of the Populous’ Global Board of Directors. Her experience spans stadium, arena and convention centre design for projects in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, as well as mixed-use sports masterplans and Olympic and FIFA overlay design.
Fluent in Arabic, Shireen oversees Populous’ Middle East operations. She is currently leading the design of several large-scale sports and entertainment infrastructure projects across the Middle East, including in Saudi Arabia. These projects include Aramco Stadium, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium and King Salman International Stadium, all of which are potential venues for the 2034 World Cup.

Mohamed (Mo) Harb is the Head of Partnerships at TikTok for the Middle East and North Africa, where he focuses on cultivating a robust ecosystem through collaboration with publishers and business partners. With over 18 years of international experience in online operations, sports business, and partnerships across MENA and Europe, Mo brings a wealth of expertise to his role.
Joining TikTok in 2019, Mo transitioned from the TV and broadcasting sector, where he spearheaded the digital transformation of a leading European network in the UAE. Previously, he led online operations at Kooora.com, where he played a key role in creating and launching their first video platform. His efforts helped the platform reach millions of fans across the region, significantly enhancing the accessibility and quality of video content and its creation.

Ben Harburg is Managing Partner at MSA Capital, a global investment firm with over $2 billion in assets under management. He sits on Boards of Directors of various private, as well as those of foundations such as the National Committee on US China Relations, and the Asian Cultural Council.

He was a Neubauer Scholar at Tufts University and a Fulbright Scholar at Ruhr-Universität Bochum. He is a co-owner of Cádiz Club de Fútbol, a team playing in Spain’s First Division (LaLiga).

A highly experienced Spanish football coach with a UEFA Pro License, specializing in tactical analysis and scouting. Known for his roles as Head Coach at Costa Adeje Tenerife, Granada CF, and Málaga CF, and as an analyst for UDG Tenerife Egatesa. José is also a professor and international ambassador, contributing to football education and research.

Sport and Performance Scientist with extensive experience working within elite level football, including the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and international teams in Europe, before moving to Saudi Arabia. As a doctoral student at the University of Birmingham, my research focuses on recovery, adaptation, and response to training load, aiming to optimise performance outcomes. A Chartered Scientist and accredited by both BASES and UKSCA. My experiences have fostered a deep understanding of applied sport science in high performance environments, bridging the gap between research and practice to support elite athletes in achieving peak performance.

Glenn is a football icon, as player, manager and media presence.
As a player he achieved legendary status at Spurs, winning trophies and scoring winning cup final goals, before joining Arsne Wenger at Monaco, where he learned the traits of how to be a leading football coach, where Glenn continued to achieve. in his first position, he took Swindon to the Premier league for this first time in their history.
He went on to take Chelsea to it’s first cup final in 24 years, before taking the role as the England national team, guiding them to the World Cup finals in 1998.
Now a well respected presence on TV as a leading football presenter, where Glenns experience in the game is enjoyed by millions across the globe

Mohammed Islam is the Host & Founder of Saudi Arabia’s leading English podcast, The Mo Show, which is currently in its fifth season. The show aims to break stereotypes and misconceptions by shedding light on the progression and accomplishments of the country, told by those on the ground who share their personal stories and experiences.

Andy has a global publishing and media career spanning the last 30 years with extensive experience in Europe, Australia, Asia and the USA. He is an alumni of the Stanford University Professional Publishing Course. For the last 20 years, he has worked exclusively in the football media industry, holding senior positions for FourFourTwo, DAZN and now Footballco, leading his teams to multiple industry awards in that time. Following a period leading Footballco’s partnerships with football federations, leagues, clubs and players globally, Andy is now the SVP of Middle East leading Footballco’s operations in the region and establishing a new regional HQ for the business in Riyadh.

Romeo Jozak is an esteemed sports director, technical expert, and football strategist with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. As the Technical Director for Future Falcons, the youth development program of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Jozak plays a pivotal role in nurturing and developing young football talent to compete at the highest levels of the sport. With a background in both coaching and sports management, Jozak has held key leadership positions, including Technical Director of the Croatian Football Federation and Director of Football at Dinamo Zagreb, one of Croatia’s most successful clubs. His expertise lies in youth development, talent identification, and strategic program management, which have contributed to his international reputation in the football world. Throughout his career, Jozak has been committed to advancing football through innovative training methodologies and fostering a culture of excellence, making him a respected figure in football development.

Founder & Director, KINETIX GLOBAL SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LLC) DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES & Founder & Director, Thamizhan F.C. India & Uae (Saudi Arabia Soon)

• Former Professional Football Player represented top Indian football clubs like Mumbai FC, Minerva Punjab FC, Churchill Brothers SC, Indian Bank S.C, IMG Reliance, EAGLES FC Kochi, Tata Football Academy Cadet etc.
• Ex -FIFA Exclusive Consultant in UAE – INDIA for Partnerships, Sales of Ticketing, Hospitality for FIFA 2022 World Cup – QATAR & Currently Upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025 U.S.A & FIFA World Cup 2026 World Cup – U.S.A, Mexico, Canada.
• Managing Partner of Thamizhan Group of companies- Qatar which provides international standard football training for children and sports infrastructure management for GCC countries.
• From Year 2019, adopted around 75 talented players in Tamil Nadu, India of various age-groups with yearly professional residential football program with education, Accommodation, and Food Inclusive free.
• Only Goal Keeper from Tamil Nadu to be part of Hero Indian Super League Draft -2017.

Gary is a globally renowned figure of the video games and social networking industries. As CEO of REALM, the community engagement pioneers, Gary is a creative visionary who brings teams together that lead the world in consumer gamification and monetisation. Gary ran EA Games and SEGA’s global marketing divisions – launching many of the world’s best-loved gaming brands, including FIFA – delivered successful exits for tech startup businesses, and went on to blaze a trail in digital user experience and behavioural psychology. Gary fused gaming, social networking and user journey innovation into founding REALM, which today creates and runs fan community engagement platforms.

As Head of Bain & Company’s EMEA Sports Practice, Juerg brings over 20 years of experience in management consulting, with a focus on transforming the sports industry. He has advised ministries, private entities, and leagues across the Middle East and Europe, driving strategic initiatives to professionalize leagues, optimize club operations, and enhance fan engagement.
With deep expertise in football and the broader sports ecosystem, Juerg specializes in helping organizations achieve financial sustainability, improve governance, and unlock growth opportunities through data-driven strategies and mass participation activation. His work spans investments, league and federation development, and customer loyalty programs, enabling clients to create enduring value

Director of SAFFIR since September 2023
Emeritus Professor at DeMontfort University Leicester
Founder and Humanities Scientific Director of the FIFA Master (2000-2022)
General Scientific Coordinator of FIFA CiES University Network (2003-2023)
Co-Author and scientific coordinator of the 100 years history of FIFA

Co-founder of OVG, Tim Leiweke is a leader and veteran in the sports and entertainment industry with more than 35 years experience spanning multiple teams, leagues, and facility developments around the world. No one else has been recognized on both the Billboard Top 100 People in the Music Business and the Most Influential Sports Executives by the Sports Business Journal in the same year. In addition to creating Coachella and other iconic music festivals, he has also been part of Championship teams in the NBA, NHL, MLS, AHL, and DEL. Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Kike Levy is an entrepreneur and sports media executive with over a decade of experience at the forefront of the sports, media, and technology intersection. He is currently leading NJF Sports and Media, a pioneering sports investment firm that connects visionary entrepreneurs, investors, and sports properties to redefine the industry.

Kike’s led Sports Partnerships across Southern Europe at Meta Platforms Inc., where he transformed the digital landscape of sports media, designing and implementing digital strategies for the biggest leagues, teams, athletes and media across the region. Some of his partners include LaLiga, Serie A, Moto GP, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

Prior to this, he made significant contributions at Twitter Inc. and Infront Sports and Media AG. Kike’s journey in the industry is characterized by a passion for sports and a commitment to innovation, as he continues to inspire and transform the way fans engage with sports and content.

Dave has been at the forefront of the Direct-to-Consumer evolution in sport, leading business development for Manchester United, running a sports tech investment company, and overseeing distribution at NBCUniversal. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Dave has an MBA, and CRO distinction from Wharton, and currently resides in London.

Tomás Lorenzo is the CEO of Biotion, a Spanish company at the forefront of innovation and advanced technology, revolutionizing the health and sports sectors with non-invasive therapies like photobiomodulation. With a background in Corporate Leadership, Marketing, and Economics, he brings a strategic vision to Biotion’s growth by fostering key partnerships and expanding its reach.
Before Biotion, Tomás founded several companies, most notably **Social Growease**, a leading marketing agency in Madrid established in 2020. As a former professional football player whose career ended due to severe injuries to both anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL), he deeply understands the importance of rehabilitation and performance. This personal experience inspired him to lead Biotion and witness firsthand the benefits of its groundbreaking technologies.
At the World Football Summit, Tomás introduces Biotion as a trailblazer in health and sports performance, redefining how athletes enhance their biological functions and achieve optimal well-being.

Glenn is a seasoned global leader with vast experience driving step-change performance improvements for global sports, media and data & analytics businesses and has operated in 20+ markets worldwide. He’s held senior commercial leadership roles at Dentsu, The Nielsen Company, Octagon Worldwide, Booz Allen Hamilton, Nike and Red Bee Media (ex-BBC Broadcast).
Based in New York, Glenn is currently CEO of Dentsu Sports Analytics, the global data and analytics division of Dentsu Sports International where he has spearheaded the successful launch of this new division to integrate the unique capabilities across Dentsu’s global media agency network. In this role, he has led the creation of an unparalleled market and product offer to measure the “direct sales” performance of sponsorship which has been a catalyst for double digit revenue growth for Dentsu Sports International’s $100M+ business. Clients include the NFL, MLB, MLS, 30+ US sports franchises, CrossFit, Toyota, Hilton, Kroger, P&G and Chase.

Mauricio Macri, former President of Argentina from 2015 to 2019, who also served two terms as Mayor of Buenos Aires and President of Boca Juniors Club on three occasions, is the Executive Chairman at the FIFA Foundation. In his current capacity, Macri is dedicated to leveraging the unifying power of football and the educational opportunities it presents to empower youth, foster positive change, and pave the way for a promising future on a global scale.
Under his leadership, the FIFA Foundation serves as a driving force for positive change by integrating education with the world’s beloved sport, creating a powerful platform for global progress. In this vision, education acts as the great equalizer, transcending borders and fostering unity. Macri’s appointment also symbolizes Argentina’s rich contribution to this captivating sport. Argentina has given the world unique football legends, timeless anecdotes, and a fervent fan base that resonates across the globe.
Recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in 2016 and 2018, Mauricio Macri continues to offer his expertise and insights into the geopolitical dynamics of Latin America. He notably served as a Spring 2022 Senior Leadership Fellow at the Florida International University’s Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom. Furthermore, he delivers lectures at prestigious universities across the world, covering crucial topics for today’s leaders, including positive leadership, team building, effective decision-making, cultural transformation, consensus-building.
Author of two books «Primer Tiempo» («First Half,» 2021) and «Para qué» («What For»), Macri also leads the Macri Foundation where he works on issues for the future of Argentina: education, innovation with a social impact and climate change, and the environment.

Data driven neuroscientist working in the Football industry with a special focus on Research, development and actionable insights.

Lambert Maltock is the President of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Vice President of FIFA, holding these positions since 2018. With over 35 years in football administration, Maltock has been pivotal in advancing football across the Pacific region. As President of the Vanuatu Football Federation, he led the country to its historic qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. At OFC, it was his vision that led to the creation of the OFC Professional League, a project designed to raise standards and create opportunities for players and clubs across Oceania. His goal is to foster unity and excellence in football across all levels in the region.

Matt Manning is Global CEO of MKTG Sports + Entertainment and Global President of Dentsu Sports International. He joined MKTG in 2012, moving from his native city, London, to New York to spearhead the global expansion of MKTG in the sports, entertainment, and experiential space. By 2016, MKTG had grown to over 1500 employees across 19 countries. In early 2020, Manning was appointed Global CEO.

Prior to MKTG, Manning worked at Bloomberg and British Petroleum before he established and managed his own sports and entertainment agency, Radar, where he created and implemented marketing and sponsorship strategies for brands such as Castrol, Johnnie Walker and Pepsi across several global properties including FIFA World Cups, UEFA European Championships, Formula One, PGA Tour Events and ICC Cricket World Cups.

As part of his executive level experience, he has overseen several acquisitions, global repositioning and integration initiatives for agencies and has lived and worked in Asia, Europe and North America.
Manning has a degree from Exeter University (UK) and Universidad de Granada (Spain). He currently resides in Westport, CT with his wife and three children where he spends most of his time coaching his kids’ sports teams.

Born in Segovia in 1989, he holds a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, a Diploma in Physical Education from the European University of Madrid, and an Executive MBA from IEDE Business School. He has worked in the fields of consulting, marketing, and business in the sports industry for companies such as SEG Sports, Gympass, BeOne, and the European University of Madrid. He began his career at LaLiga in April 2017 as Executive Agent of the Presidency. In December 2017, he was promoted to Director of International Development, also adding Marketing and Business Management to his responsibilities in June 2020. From May 2021 to January 2024, he served as the Executive General Director of LaLiga. Under his direction and leadership, international television rights revenues have tripled, and historic milestones have been achieved, such as LaLiga Impulso, the strategic project of LaLiga CVC Capital Partners; the two major joint ventures in North America and China; the television agreement in the United States with Disney/ESPN; the creation of LaLiga Tech’s technological subsidiary; and the expansion of the alliance with Microsoft. Since January 2024, he has served as the General Director of Business and Operations (COO) at Club Atlético de Madrid.

Mike McCabe is the Chief Operating Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation, the non-profit organization dedicated to hosting and growing the annual Esports World Cup, the largest gaming event in the world and a global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom. Previously, Mike was Managing Director of International Publishing at Epic Games, where he oversaw publishing, marketing and strategy for the APAC, EMEA and LATAM regions. Prior to joining Epic, Mike led Digital Activity & Innovation at Nike and was Head of Asia Studios for Electronic Arts.

Donal is the Managing Partner accountable for our 150 staff across 5 regional offices. Prior to his global role, Donal led the Middle East and Africa region, where he continues to maintain a key account focus.
He works closely with senior leaders in the sports sector. His clients include Ministries of Sport, Olympic Committees, federations, investors and the private sector.
Donal holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, LLM from Harvard Law School and LLB from University of Glasgow. He has previous experience at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Goldman Sachs, Roland Berger and Yale University.

One of the founding team of Common Goal, the social impact movement in global football.
Advisory Board Member Special Olympics GB.
Strategic communications director passionate about the intersection of business, sustainability and social development.

Mohammed Moharram is the co-founder and Head of Content at 90+ and an accredited journalist by UEFA and CAF. He has written for major platforms like Eurosport, FilGoal, Al Araby Al Jadid, and Football Paradise. His book Hawadeet Hurra Munbashra was a bestseller at the Cairo and Sharjah International Book Fairs.
He was the media officer for LaLiga projects in the UAE and Egypt, managing PR and media training for young players. As a TEDx speaker, Mohammed has delivered talks at the British University in Egypt and Beni-Suef University.
He also lectures on sports content creation in partnership with TikTok and Udemy, and has led sessions at the World Media Congress in Abu Dhabi and at AUC’s CIMAL program.
Mohammed previously worked as a pundit for Italian and Argentine leagues on Abu Dhabi Sports and appears as a guest pundit on Al-Hurra, Al-Arabiya, and OnTime Sports. He has interviewed over 80 sports legends, including Kylian Mbappé and Shaquille O’Neal, and covered major events like the World Cup and UEFA Champions League. At 90+, he leads a team producing sports content and providing media training across the Middle East.

With over two decades of experience in sports and technology, Nacho is the CEO of Atos Major Events, driving digital transformation and operational excellence for global events like the Olympic Games and UEFA, amongs many others. As a key leader, he has spearheaded innovation, optimized operations, and developed cutting-edge solutions to elevate major sports events and sports organizations.

Joe Morrison has been a TV broadcaster across the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent for two decades. His career began at the BBC and he has covered the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Kings Cup, Saudi Pro League to name just a few. He currently works with SSC, Nassr TV, Whisper Productions and DAZN

Eymeric serves as a Partner in Geneva, Switzerland, where he supports clients across continental Europe and the Middle East, including international investors with teams in the region. Eymeric has 15+ years’ experience in Executive Search and has deep expertise working with Private Banks, Hedge Funds, and Investment Firms, allowing him to better understand the business side of Football. Beyond Europe, his work experience includes mandates in the Middle East and Asia, as well as the USA. Eymeric speaks fluent French, English, and Italian and has a degree in Hospitality Management from the International College of Hotel Management.

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.
Mugharbel’s management philosophy emphasizes culture-building, clarity, and empowerment. He practices situational leadership, adapting his approach to meeting organizational needs while enabling his team to excel. “Success is never an individual effort,” he notes. “It’s about surrounding yourself with people who fan your flames.”
Inspired by his father’s legacy as a marketeer, Mugharbel earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in Marketing and Advertising from the American University in Dubai. This formative experience, guided by industry-experienced professors, equipped him with a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application. It planted the seed for a foundation of innovative thinking and adaptability that continues to define his career.
Upon graduation, Mugharbel joined Unilever’s management training program, excelling across brands and becoming one of the group’s youngest senior managers. He later moved to co-found Aboab & Co., advising government and private sector actors, before embarking yet again to another transform tonal mission driving Extra’s e-commerce transformation.
With a stellar track record, IKEA sought Omar out to join its ranks, where he rose from deputy store manager to Chief Commercial Officer, redefining strategies and launching new stores. His journey culminated in becoming CEO of IKEA Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, a testament to his determination and ability to inspire transformation from the ground up.
Mugharbel’s pursuit of excellence extends to education. In 2023, he completed the Chief Executive Program at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, balancing his studies with his responsibilities as CEO. This commitment to continuous learning reflects his dedication to evolving as a leader.
In testament to his leadership and vision, the SPL appointed Mugharbel as CEO. In this role, he is leading a transformational shift to build a sustainable, globally respected league. His approach emphasizes collaboration with clubs and regulators, commercialization, and exporting the Saudi football story to the world.
A lifelong football enthusiast, Mugharbel views his role as more than a career milestone. “Football is more than a game it’s society, its business, its pure joy. Yet, balancing commercialization while preserving the sport’s essence is crucial, as sustainable revenue is the backbone of development.”

Ross Munro joined WSC Sports in 2021 as Head of Commercial, UK and played an integral role in their meteoric rise, as they have expanded their UK footprint and cemented their position as the market leading AI & Automated highlights provider. WSC Sports now work with over 500 rights holders globally. Prior to WSC, Ross headed up Vizrt’s Sports division in APAC and enjoyed an early career at IMG Media.

Tom Muller was born in Berlin 42 years ago, in the Eastern part of a divided Germany. Throughout his professional life, he has been deeply involved in building networks, sports, and interdisciplinary projects that bridge brands, football, media, and transformation processes.

Ceo&Owner Club Costa City. Football academy with its own methodology. Comprehensive training. training people through football.
•⁠ ⁠International programs.
•⁠ ⁠Export of methodology.
•⁠ ⁠Creation of sports and employment opportunities.
•⁠ ⁠Continuous growing staff.
COSTA CITY ECO:
Hight Tech Football Center
First sustainable sports facility with the latest technology

Award winning Brand and Commercial leader with over 15 years’ experience in the industry having worked previously for Unilever, MARS, L’Oreal and adidas.

A 25-year entertainment, consumer products, and sports marketing veteran who has conceptualized and executed award-winning product launch campaigns. He is the winner of the 2018 Major League Soccer Marketing Executive of the Year Award, and was included on the 2019 Adweek’s L.A. Brand Stars list. Prior to LAFC, he co-founded American-made menswear brand Exley, served as the Co-General Manager of the Los Angeles Matadors in the World Series of Boxing, was the Vice President of Marketing at Warner Bros. Television, and the Executive Director of Advertising and Promotion at CBS Paramount Television.
Rich is a co-founder of the LAFC Youth Leadership Program, Board Chair of the Bresee Foundation Youth Center in Los Angeles, member of the Delta Aeromexico Latino Outreach Leadership Advisory Board, and has guest lectured at MIT Sloan School of Management, UCLA Anderson School of Management, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Emerson College Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University, and California State University Long Beach.

Unmish is Founder & Executive Director of Picture Board Partners, a Singapore based growth practice dedicated to Gaming, Edutainment, Media and Sport; aka the ‘G.E.M.S’ sectors.

A Design Thinking practitioner, he triangulates content, code & capital to curate solutions that drive sales, brand recall or equity appreciation.

Founded in 2019, the clients roster of Picture Board Partners spans tech (Dolby, Nielsen, Microsoft), gaming (Twitch, Nodwin), sport (ICC, BWF, WTT, AFC), startups (NIUM, ONE, Amagi, Quidich), governments (Singapore, Australia, India, Saudi Arabia) and investors (Apollo, Jungle, Lumikai Ventures).

In a past life, Unmish held leadership roles at IMG Media, BBC Technology, ESPN STAR Sports, News Corp., and the International Cricket Council (ICC) whilst being based in Singapore, Dubai, London, Johannesburg, New York and Delhi.

A self-confessed Cricket Tragic, he represented Cambridge, is a graduate of INSEAD’s Board Directors Program and was appointed Chairman of the GoSports Foundation (Bangalore) in April 2023.

COO Club Costa City.
Football academy with its own methodology. Comprehensive training. training people through football.
•⁠ ⁠International programs.
•⁠ ⁠Export of methodology.
•⁠ ⁠Creation of sports and employment opportunities.
•⁠ ⁠Continuous growing staff.
COSTA CITY ECO:
Hight Tech Football Center
First sustainable sports facility with the latest technology

Vasco Pinheiro is one of the Co-Founders and Managing Partner of Virtual Venue, where he leads the product’s sales efforts and meets with clients globally. At Virtual Venue, Vasco is pioneering innovative solutions in sports event planning and venue operations, leveraging his expertise to drive the integration of advanced technologies in the industry. He holds a degree in Software Engineering with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence from Técnico and a Post-Graduate degree in Marketing from ISEG. With over 20 years of experience in Business and IT Consulting, he has served as Technical Director, Operations Manager Director, and Executive Director in various companies.

Over 10 years of experience in the sports industry in Europe but mostly in Asia, working with sports sponsorship agencies, football clubs and major football leagues, including LaLiga and the Malaysian Football League of which I became the first CEO in its history. I am specialised in brand development and corporate strategy, with an out-of-the-box thinking attitude and a strong focus on fostering relationship management. Passionate about football since childhood and lucky to have turned it into my career.

A graduate of Stockholm University and fluent in five languages, Camilla is the youngest female executive in Brazilian football. With Italian roots and raised in Sweden, she has spent over seven years building strong ties in the Middle East. A former football player, Camilla’s career was cut short by a knee injury, which led her to transition into coaching, journalism, and football management. She coached youth teams at Samba Football Academy in Sweden, was a sports commentator for Sportexpressen and TV4, and consulted for DoublePass on the UD Almería project. She then served as Executive Manager at São Paulo FC and Senior Business Development Manager for TransferRoom, covering Brazil, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and other LATAM countries, working with clubs and agencies. She later headed the Sports division at SMC Saudi Arabia. In 2024, marking the latest milestone in her distinguished career, she was invited by the President of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to join the organization.

Carla Prat combines her expertise as a museologist with her passion for creative leadership and innovation to craft immersive experiences and exhibitions. With a background in art and museology, she has more than fifteen years of experience in the cultural sector.

Growing up in the historic city of Rabat, Morocco, Zineb is a trailblazing figure in the world of sports and business. She discovered her love for football at an early age, and had the privilege of representing clubs in multiple countries, including France (PSG, FC Massy 91, COMB Bagneux, FCF Juvisy), Canada (Carabins, Montreal Elite Concordia, CRDP 88), Spain (Atletico Madrid, CF Pozuelo de Alarcón), the US (BCU Chicago, Atlanta Silverblacks), Switzerland (FC Zurich), and the UAE (Abu Dhabi Country Club). Despite the demands of a rigorous football career, she remained committed to her education, ultimately earning a Trilingual Finance Degree from HEC Montreal and further enhancing her knowledge at ICADE Business School.
Fluent in four languages—Arabic, French, English, and Spanish—she effortlessly transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. This dedication to academic excellence would later serve her well as she transitioned into the corporate world, joining among others the prestigious GE Financial Management Program and Corporate Audit Staff. She was also the global finance director at Baker Hughes (2020-2023). Recently, Zineb achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Arab female FIFA agent in the Middle East

Economist and lawyer graduated from MIT and current Head of Sports for Bain&Company in KSA.
Experience advising sport investors, football clubs, ministries and leagues on strategic topics such as monetization, fan engagement and operating model within others.

Doctor in sports sciences with extensive experience in developing high-performance football projects. My years in the industry have led me to occupy different technical positions, from coaching areas to management departments. Passionate about optimizing performance in competition, years of study and applied research have led me to the development of several football education programs at some of the best institutions around the world.

Monika Staab, German Expert in Women Football
She has the UEFA coaching Pro-licence. After playing for German clubs such as SG Rosenhöhe Offenbach, Offenbach Kickers and the SG Oberst Schiel, she played for clubs abroad such as Paris St. Germain and the Queens Park Rangers.
Later, as coach and manager of the 1. FFC Frankfurt, she won four German championship titles, five Cup victories and the first UEFA champions league title in 2002.
Monika Staab has coached the national team of Bahrain, Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
She has worked as consultant, coaching instructor and technical observer for FIFA, UEFA, the German Foreign Affair Office and DOSB.
She has been in the last 15 years in over 90 countries for the development in women football all over the world. Monika Staab strongly believes in football as a means for social development and has shaped women’s football in Germany and abroad.
At present she is the Women’s Football Technical Director of Saudi Arabia.

Mickey is an Executive Team member with over 25 years of operational experience, 20 of which are in the region. As DCEO he is responsible for AEI strategic Business Development and the integration between new clients and the AEI service delivery business units. Mickey joined AEI in 2021 moving from Bahrain to KSA in the knowledge that the strategic initiative is unlike any other in modern times. Initially running an AEI transformation program to prepare for the growth of AEI, he now travels the region and other offshore markets to discuss with potential clients the exciting opportunities available across the Saudi business environment and how they can positively contribute to the Kingdom. Living in Riyadh with his family, Mickey served for over 20 years in the UK MOD, before joining the private sector. He has been a COO, and worked in UK FTSE 100 companies as well as SMEs.

Christina has helped female players to build their commercial value off pitch. She is passionate about the pay disparity and uses her skill set to help them monetise and create legacy so that the players she works with can set themselves up for a comfortable retirement. She has excelled in growing the social media presence of her clients. For instance, she has helped grow Jamaica International and Birmingham Womens FC footballer Shiv Wilson’s following from 500,000 to 1.9 million and increased Mary Earps’ followers from 50,000 to 2.5 million, demonstrating expertise in audience engagement and digital strategy. Her clients have been featured prominently in renowned publications like Vogue, GQ, and Women’s Health, as well as making appearances on a variety of TV shows, enhancing their visibility and influence across mainstream media. She also negotiates commercial deals, such as Mary Earps being the first female footballer face of Victoria’s Secret, the face of NFL UK’s Superbowl campaign and more.

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). He later served as a board member at C.D. Badajoz S.A.D. and C.D. Toledo S.A.D. before being elected vice-president of LaLiga in 2001. In 2003 he headed up the G-30, a group representing 30 small LaLiga clubs that was set up to collectively negotiate their audiovisual rights. He has been LALIGA president since 2013 and was re-elected in 2016 and again for a further four-year term in 2019. In 2021 he was appointed as representative of European Leagues on the UEFA Executive Committee.
Tebas’s tenure as LALIGA president has revolved around three core areas; the introduction of a financial controls system which has enabled the clubs to restructure their finances; the collective sale of audiovisual rights which boosts the clubs’ revenue in a balanced way, and the league’s internationalisation strategy, which has seen LALIGA and its member clubs establish themselves as a benchmark reference on the global stage, not just on the field but in the entertainment industry as a whole. In addition, Boost LALIGA, the strategic project of LALIGA and CVC Capital Partners, was recently created to promote growth and consolidation in the areas of technology, innovation, internationalisation and the sporting sphere.

Zubair is a serial entrepreneur, who is currently Partner and Global Vice President, Culture at Meltwater.

With his experience focusing on SAAS, global strategy and expansion, Zubair has a pedigree for developing leadership talent and high performance teams across markets.

Specializing in the sports and luxury sector, he has been involved in developing esports, specifically, chess to an award winning level.
Based in Dubai, his commitment towards inclusivity has enabled various social and community initiatives, namely executive allyship for female leadership.

Having extensively developed commercial operations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, China, Japan and South-East Asia, his passion is emerging markets and their interplay with innovation.

He has a degree in European Law and Masters in Medical Law. Given his thirst for education, he has a Post Grad in Global Business from the University of Oxford.

Zubair is a published contributor for Forbes and Campaign Magazine, he continues to be an active commentator for inclusivity in sport and culture.

Dynamic and experienced Sports Manager with a rich background
spanning diverse roles and organizations within the sports industry. With
over 10 years of hands-on experience, I have been able to learn and perfect
a comprehensive skill set that encompasses strategic planning, team
leadership, event management and development, etc.

Born on January 30, 1987, in Istanbul, Turkey, began his football career in the youth academy of Galatasaray before making his professional debut in 2005. As a talented midfielder, Arda rose through the ranks, becoming one of the most successful Turkish footballers. He has played for prestigious clubs, including Galatasaray, Atlético Madrid, and FC Barcelona, winning multiple domestic league titles, UEFA Europa League, and Copa del Rey trophies. Arda also represented the Turkish National Team in major international tournaments, including UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2016. In 2023, Arda transitioned to coaching, taking the helm as the head coach of Eyüpspor. Under his leadership, Eyüpspor secured the TFF 1st League championship, earning promotion to the Turkish Süper Lig.

A vastly experienced sports executive with a 30 – year track record of driving innovation, transformation, commercial growth and brand engagement in Sport. He is known as an Industry thought leader and as lead evangelist in business transformation in sport.

• Luis is currently the Chairman of Europe’s leading athlete – led investment platform, APEX, which he accumulates with several non executive board, advisory board or advisor positions at different organizations in sport, including REALFEVR, SOCIOS.COM, COMMON GOAL, WORLD FOOTBALL SUMMIT and 777 PARTNERS .

• Previously, Luis was Group CEO of ELEVEN SPORTS , a digital first global sports broadcaster and member of the board of parent company ASER VENTURES , a sports focused investment platform that included ownership of Premier League club Leeds United.

• Luis was also a member of the Management Board at FIFA and the Football
Governing Body first ever Chief Digital Transformation & Innovation Officer, with responsibility for championing new technologies, gaming, data and content
strategies.

• Luis has served as well as CMO/CDO/CCO of La Liga historic football club VALENCIA CF , Director of Partnerships at MANCHESTER CITY and advised REAL MADRID CF CEO and President on football transfers and commercial development. Luis has also advised C – Level and ownership at RED BULL in Football, Motorsport and Sailing, FERRARI and LOTUS in Formula 1 and as well A1GP.

• Luis was also a sports and commercial agent, managing some of the world biggest soccer stars of the 90’s and the 2000’s, including LUIS FIGO , RONALDO NAZARIO and ANDRYI SHEVCHENKO

Ahmet has a distinguished media and digital content career spanning more than a decade, with extensive experience across Turkey, the Middle East, and Asia. He has established himself as a leader in the football media industry through senior roles at global organizations, including FIFA, Goal.com, and FourFourTwo.
At FIFA, Ahmet played a key role in launching FIFA+ Arabic editions, overseeing the release of high-quality documentaries as Executive Director, and managing content for multiple Asian markets. At Goal.com, he achieved significant milestones, including the launch of MENA’s first Twitter live sports show, #YallaGoal, and doubling traffic for regional editions.
In his current role, Ahmet continues to collaborate with football organizations, leagues, and media entities to develop impactful content and strategies, contributing his expertise to the evolution of football media worldwide.