Unleashing Football&#8217;s Future: Empowering Every Voice in the Beautiful Game
<video style="width: 100%;height: auto" controls><source src="https://d2qu7nggdaeihr.cloudfront.net/output/45a6847e-375b-487a-bf66-f85bf4e9753d-1794501847.mp4" type="video/mp4"></video>
<aside>(This article was generated with AI and it&#8217;s based on a AI-generated transcription of a real talk on stage. While we strive for accuracy, we encourage readers to verify important information.)</aside>
<img decoding="async" src="https://web-summit-engine.imgix.net/961ord8dqp257lk0m88sk5djs6en?auto=format&amp;fit=fill&amp;fill=solid&amp;fill-color=white&amp;w=600&amp;h=600&amp;fm=jpg&amp;dl=Nicky Crosby.jpg" alt="Nicky Crosby, Juan Mata, Jürgen Griesbeck" align="left" hspace="10" width="200" style="float:left;margin-right: 15px">
At Web Summit Lisbon 2026, Mr. Juan Mata, a celebrated footballer, and Mr. Jürgen Griesbeck, co-founder of C-Lab, discussed &#8220;Unleash Football,&#8221; an initiative to democratize the sport&#8217;s future. Moderated by Ms. Nicky Crosby, the session highlighted the critical need for fan and player input in major decisions, a voice often missing despite football&#8217;s global reach and impact.

Mr. Mata, whose life has been immersed in football, recognized the sport&#8217;s profound potential beyond competition. In 2017, he sought to leverage this power for social good. He partnered with Mr. Griesbeck, who had dedicated two decades to &#8220;football for good&#8221; through Street Football World, realizing that collaborative efforts amplify impact, mirroring the team spirit essential to the game.

Mr. Griesbeck&#8217;s journey began with a tragic event in the 1990s, witnessing football&#8217;s unique ability to foster human connection and peace, even among rival groups. He observed how the sport could create a neutral space for communication and adherence to rules. Their joint venture, Common Goal, aimed to bridge the gap between the professional football industry and grassroots community initiatives.

A key revelation was Mr. Mata&#8217;s experience: despite his decorated career, he was never asked about football&#8217;s future. This widespread lack of consultation, affecting both players and fans, underscored the urgency for &#8220;Unleash Football.&#8221; Launched just three months prior, the project seeks to establish a platform for gathering diverse opinions on the sport&#8217;s direction.

Initial findings from a survey of approximately 1,000 individuals across various demographics were striking. Most respondents felt excluded from major football decisions, yet 97% expressed a strong desire for active participation. This listening exercise, contrary to expectations of confusion, revealed clear consensus on critical issues.

For instance, 98% of participants would &#8220;show the red card to racism,&#8221; and 88% prioritized grassroots football over elite games, advocating for resource redistribution. Notably, 83% supported increased investment in women&#8217;s football, with over 70% of these respondents being men. These insights highlight a collective will for a more equitable and inclusive sport.

&#8220;Unleash Football&#8221; is designed as a continuous listening exercise, aiming to build a comprehensive &#8220;football mandate&#8221; from global input. This mandate will inform decision-makers, ensuring that the sport&#8217;s future priorities reflect the collective desires of its community. The initiative invites everyone to contribute, emphasizing that football, a democratic sport, belongs to all.

Mr. Mata articulated that football has given him immense joy, opportunities, and a platform to inspire positive change. Mr. Griesbeck shared that the sport has revealed the profound value of human connection and the power of individuals to transform realities. Together, they champion a future where collective intelligence guides football&#8217;s evolution, setting a precedent for broader societal engagement.

Who gets a say in football’s future?

Rewriting the rules of female longevity

Hollywood’s identity crisis