News (engl.)

Coinciding with the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026, the DFB – together with its main-partner Volkswagen and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) – hosted the seventh edition of its international leadership program for women in football, the Future Leaders in Football Program (FLF), in Mexico City from 10 to 15 June.

18 participants from National Associations, Confederations, and the Sport-for-Development Sector across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Germany took part in the program. Throughout the week, participants engaged in sessions focused on leadership and its application in the sporting context, while also addressing the structural challenges faced by women in football. The FLF further included practical Sport-For-Development sessions, demonstrating how football can be used as a tool to promote gender equity.

Since its launch in 2021, the FLF program has brought together more than 100 emerging female leaders from around the world. This seventh edition, with a focus on the CONCACAF-Region, created a unique platform for exchange, learning, and collaboration. The program highlights the DFB’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equity in football, particularly by increasing the representation of women in leadership and decision-making roles, and by strengthening collaboration among National Football Associations and Confederations worldwide.

The program was complemented by a line-up of high-level guest speakers who provided expertise, insight, inspiration, and practical guidance to the next generation of female leaders. Dr. Holger Blask, DFB General Secretary, opened the program, underlining the importance of empowering women in football:

"The FLF aligns with the DFB’s commitment to advancing gender equity in football and strengthening international cooperation through such initiatives. Through the program, its leadership lessons and practical application into the sporting context, we equip the participants with the right tools to advance into leadership positions within football. Each women brings the ambition and potential to the table to influence the game of tomorrow and we’re looking forward to seeing this unfold in the future."

DFB main partner Volkswagen has supported the program from the very beginning – and for good reason:
"Programs like ‘Future Leaders in Football’ show how sport connects people around the world and creates valuable networks. For Volkswagen, it is a key priority to foster exactly this kind of exchange and to jointly drive positive and sustainable societal change. That is why we are supporting the program with full conviction for the seventh time," said Gerd Voss, Head of Volkswagen Sports Communications.

Heidi Pellerano, Chief Commercial Officer of CONCACAF, and Mariana Gutiérrez, President of Liga BBVA MX Femenil, shared valuable perspectives on the opportunities and challenges in developing (women’s) football across the CONCACAF region and translated these into key lessons for aspiring leaders.

Further into the week, Jill Ellis, Chief Football Officer at FIFA, shared valuable leadership lessons from her coaching journey, while Laura McAllister, UEFA Vice-President and UEFA ExCo Member, provided insights into her role within one of football’s highest governing bodies. Later into the program, Andrea Rodebaugh, Director of Women’s National Teams at the Mexican Football Association, added a powerful perspective by sharing her journey from pioneer to leader and encouraging participants to become changemakers themselves. As the last guest speaker, Cecilia Vales, Founder of She Wins Mexico, did a workshop with the participants to use football as a tool to achieve gender equity within the game and society.

The FLF project partner, the GIZ, added:

"Future Leaders in Football impressively demonstrates the potential that the ‘Sport for Development’ approach can unlock. Through the strategic combination of sports, education, and personal development, young people strengthen their leadership skills, take on responsibility, and drive positive change in their communities. Girls and young women, in particular, gain new opportunities for participation, self-determination, and social engagement", Axel Caldas, Projectlead GIZ

In addition to the expert sessions, the FLF included a cultural program designed to complement the learning experience. Participants watched the opening match of the World Cup at a public viewing in the city, explored Mexico City on a guided walking tour, and experienced local traditions. A particular highlight was a session with Lucha Libre fighter Kathrin Zeiske, who encouraged participants to "fight like a girl," followed by jointly watching a live Lucha Libre event at Arena México.

At the heart of the program were the participants themselves, who shaped the week through their openness, determination, and mutual support. By creating a safe and empowering space, they uplifted one another and built lasting connections that extend far beyond the program.

This year, the DFB sent an internal employee to join the program to foster the international cooperation within the game. Aline Czaplicki, Manager in the strategic development of the Women’s Bundesliga, shared her experience as follows:

Beyond the program content and the approachable guest speakers, the exchange with the other participants was the real highlight for me. The conversations were genuine, insightful, and truly valuable. What impressed me most was the dedication and positivity with which the women from the region approach challenges, keep going, and support one another along the way.

The FLF showed us one thing: we must collectively work to change structures in order to create a more diverse – and ultimately better – game. Bringing more women into leadership positions will allow football to reach its full potential.