A SUMMER of soccer in Hong Kong climaxed with the World Football Summit at AsiaWorld-Expo where legends such as England’s Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, along with Croatia’s top scorer Davor Šuker all rubbing shoulders with top executives, investors and fans.
The conference was co-organised by the World Football Summit (WFS) and Asia Partners IFBD, with the support of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China and the active participation of soccer’s world governing body FIFA along with the Asian Football Confederation.
“This event is a powerful declaration of Hong Kong’s global standing in sports, culture, and business,” said Filipe Gonçalves, of Asia Partners IFBD. “With the invaluable support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Football Association of Hong Kong, China, we are not merely staging a conference, we are actively building a lasting legacy that harnesses the unique power of football to unite communities and unlock global opportunities right here in Asia.”
Tourism officials said the event would reinforce Hong Kong as a world-class destination for major sports events and particularly a hotspot for the professional soccer in Asia as WFS expands across the region.
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WFS followed a series of high-profile games at the new Kai Tak Stadium ranging from the Manchester United Tour of Asia 2025 in May to the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 in July, that welcomed four of the world’s top clubs: Liverpool, Milan, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, and most recently the Saudi Super Cup in August, which saw Cristiano Ronaldo among other stars dazzle the crowds at the stadium.
Topics covered at WFS included international expansion, Asia’s growing influence in the global game, youth development, grassroots pathways, digital transformation, investment, technology, AI, sustainability and community impact.
Jan Alessie, co-founder and managing director of WFS, said Hong Kong was the most strategic choice for the summit’s Asia expansion. “With our debut in Hong Kong, we’re not only bringing that same energy to Asia – we’re building a platform for long-term collaboration, investment, and innovation in the region’s game. We believe Hong Kong can become a bridge between East and West for football, driving growth and unlocking new opportunities for the game across the region.”
Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)’s Executive Director, Anthony Lau, said: “The World Football Summit is one of the world’s most influential football conventions. Being the host city, Hong Kong demonstrates its increasingly influential role on the global sports scene as an ideal host city for both sports events and MICE events for the sports industry.
“HKTB also extended its warm hospitality by thoughtfully arranging immersive tours of Hong Kong for the visiting football legends and Summit guests, enriching their business travel experience. We will continue to bring more large-scale international MICE events to Hong Kong, so as to attract more high-yield, overnight MICE visitors to the city.”
When the summit’s agenda was clear, Rio Ferdinand, the former England and Manchester United captain was joined by legendary Italian manager Fabio Capello, along with Otamendi and Alessie of the WFS. They were treated to classic Hong Kong experiences, courtesy of HKTB, and enjoyed sights such as the iconic skyline during a private tram and more of the city on an open-top bus. Traditional dim sum was also savoured through a personalised hospitality experience.
Ferdinand said his previous visits to Hong Kong were mainly for work and football matches, leaving few opportunities to explore the city or enjoy its cuisine. “I’ve never been to the Peak before so it’s good to see it, it’s been so amazing.” He also praised Hong Kong’s cuisine: “The food is lovely… we had roasted goose, which as a traditional dish is really nice.” Ferdinand adored the hustle and bustle of the city and hoped to try more local food.
Otamendi, the WFS chief executive, said: “The Victoria Peak is a must for visitors coming to Hong Kong. This is really something that you don’t see anywhere else in the world. I heard about Hong Kong’s beautiful beaches and mountains and hope to explore them on a future visit; I’d like my family to come over because this is really something they have to see.”
Main picture… Rio Ferdinand reaches the Peak in Hong Kong, revelling in the views and local cuisine. Image via HKTB
