Common Goal & World Football Summit

Eight Years of purpose, progress, and the path ahead

From a spontaneous conversation in Madrid to a global movement for change, the journey between World Football Summit (WFS) and Common Goal has been one of purpose, partnership, and possibility. 

Now, as we celebrate eight years of collaboration, we are proud to announce a new chapter: Common Goal becomes the Official Purpose Partner of the World Football Summit. 

In 2016, Jan Alessie (Director & Co-Founder World Football Summit) and Jürgen Griesbeck (President & Co-Founder Common Goal) met for the first time. What began as an aspirational conversation in 2016 at the inaugural WFS in Madrid has evolved into a strategic alliance that places purpose at the very heart of football’s global conversation. 

“This is where the commercial side of football meets the impact side of football, and we’re in the business of weaving them together,” said Jürgen. 

Where Purpose Meets Platform 

The partnership between WFS and Common Goal has always been more than symbolic. It has been an active collaboration—shaping the narrative, connecting leaders, and amplifying football’s role as a driver of social change. 

From the early days of aligning on shared values to co-creating spaces for purpose-driven dialogue at WFS events around the world, the partnership has continued to evolve. As Jan recalls, “When I read about Common Goal for the first time, I immediately knew—we had to be part of this.” 

Since then, Common Goal has been a consistent presence at WFS summits—whether through keynote moments, community activations, or powerful storytelling. Together, both organisations have worked to show that football is more than a game: it’s a platform for equity, inclusion, and sustainability. 

Moments That Mattered 

Over nearly a decade of collaboration, certain memories stand out: 

 Giorgio Chiellini in Seville: A defining moment where leadership, authenticity, and purpose converged on stage. 

• Juan Mata in Istanbul and Berlin: When Common Goal’s founding player took the stage and helped shape the conversation around football’s future. 

• The Female Leaders Program + SOMOS Equidad in Monterrey: A cross-sector effort blending industry leadership, community empowerment, and advocacy for systemic change. 

These weren’t just events. They were signals of a shifting industry—proof that purpose-driven collaboration can shape both the narrative and the system itself. 

“Football can and must be the best version of itself,” Jürgen said. “It doesn’t end in a stadium. It’s about value for people and planet.” 

A Purpose-Driven Future 

With Common Goal now becoming WFS’s Official Purpose Partner, the collaboration moves into a new phase: deeper, wider, and more intentional. 

At the core of this future is a shared commitment to three strategic pillars: 

• Gender Equality 

• Environmental Impact 

• Inclusion 

These aren’t abstract values—they’re action areas that will continue to shape programmes, partnerships, and conversations across all WFS events. From panel discussions to youth activations, from cultural exhibitions to leadership development, the Common Goal x WFS alliance is about turning intention into impact. 

As Arantxa from WFS put it: 
“The idea is to expand this collaboration beyond the summit walls—to do more activities with boys, with girls, because they are the future of football and society.” 

And that future starts now. 

Join the Movement 

The next eight years promise even more ambitious collaboration: more global platforms, more voices, more change. As the football industry reckons with its responsibility and potential, the WFS x Common Goal partnership stands as a beacon for what’s possible when purpose and influence unite. 

“If we’re successful with our mission,” Jürgen said, “football will help make the world a better place.” 

We invite the entire football ecosystem—players, executives, brands, federations, and fans—to be part of this. Because the game we love can also be the game that leads. 

Together, let’s rewrite football’s story—one where passion and purpose move in the same direction. 

Let’s make it happen.