More than 30 countries from around the world have already signed up to The World Cup for Walking Football due to be held in Pilar de Horadada, Costa Blanca, Spain, in October 2025.
The handing over of the games from the UK where it was held last year, to Spain, will be officially signed on Friday September 13 at the venue for the event – in Pilar de Horadada.
Paul Carr, Chairman of FIWFA will meet with event organisers Mark Coleman and Mark Kavanagh to launch the games for 2025.
The organisers are also celebrating the announcement of the tournament sponsor Desire properties. Owner of the Costa Blanca business Krisztian says:
“We are beyond excited to announce that Desire Properties will be the main sponsor of the 2025 Walking Football World Championship in Pilar de la Horadada!
“This amazing event will bring together teams from countries around the world across four different gender and age categories. As the main sponsor, it’s an honour and a huge responsibility to support both the Spanish national team and the organizing committee in creating a competition where fair play and the joy of football at any age are the top priorities”.
The bid to host the games in Spain was won by two ex-pat enthusiasts originally from the UK but living on the Costa Blanca who were determined to bring the games to Spain after the inaugural games in the UK last year when England won the over 50’s and 60’s cups with Spain coming fourth overall.
Mark Kavanagh, 58, and Mark Coleman, 58, have been playing and coaching Walking Football and have now won the bid to host the games for more than 60 countries around the world. Both coached at semi-professional and professional level with Youth teams and academy professional level in the UK.
The event is held every two years, the first one being held in the UK at St George’s Park in Burton on Trent last year.
Next year Team Spain will enter teams in the over 50’s and 60’s and women over 40. The age groups include 50’s, 60’s and 70’s for men and 40’s, 50’s and 60’s for women.
Along with Paddle, Walking Football is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and Europe.
Organiser and campaigner Kavanagh Mark says: “This is a dream come true – we cannot believe we are bringing the World Cup of Nations and more than 30 countries to Pilar de Horadada here on the Costa Blanca. We simply love the game and wanted to bring the sport to as many people as possible – this puts us firmly on the map”.
As well as coaching Team Spain – which includes both Spanish and English players – Mark and Mark will be creating a team to organise the event which hopes to bring in thousands of people to Costa Blanca at the end of holiday season, filling hotels and restaurants.
The games are now open for sponsorship – anyone interested should contact Mark at mkavanagh@live.co.uk
