The World Winners Cup is an international club beach soccer competition inaugurated in 2019. The tournament brings together clubs from around the globe to compete for the coveted title of Club World champion.
The event, organised by Beach Soccer Worldwide features both men’s and women’s categories, with teams competing in a round-robin group stage followed by a knockout stage. The top teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, with the winners progressing to the semifinals and ultimately, the final.
History
The maiden edition in 2019, saw Flamengo (BRA) and Pavia Lokrians (ITA) emerge as the first-ever winners in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. The success of the 2019 edition paved the way for the tournament’s return to Alanya in 2020, solidifying its position as a premier event in the beach soccer calendar.
However, the 2021 edition was postponed for administrative reasons, but the tournament bounced back in 2022, with Real Münster (GER) and Lady Grembach (POL) claiming the top honours in Cagliari. The 2023 edition held in Alghero, Italy, saw ASD Napoli (ITA) and Mriya-2006 (UKR) crowned the new champions.
Also read: Review of the 2023 World Winners Cup
The last two editions (2022 and 2023) demonstrated growth in size and competitiveness, and recorded a total of 87 matches played, with 37 participating clubs and 350 players from around the world. These two editions produced an impressive 851 goals, showcasing the high-scoring nature of beach soccer. The 2022 edition in Cagliari featured 13 clubs with 108 players, scoring a total of 267 goals in 27 matches. While 2023 edition in Alghero, recorded an increased participation with 24 teams and 242 players, resulting in 584 goals scored in 60 matches. These numbers are a reflection of the tournament’s growing global appeal.
The event, in its four editions, has attracted top clubs from around the world and has also provided a platform for players to shine, with Brazilian beach soccer influencer Natália Pedrini citing her World Winners Cup win with Pavia as one of her proudest moments.
“Being part of a great team like Pavia Beach is something that gives me huge pride and being able to play at BSWW tournaments is something I will always be proud of. It’s every player’s dream. It was an incredible experience to play the Euro Winners Cup too, but to win the World Winners Cup with Pavia was one of my proudest moments.“
Natália Pedrini – 2020
As the event continues to grow, it has introduced new features to further enhance the competition. According to Joan Cuscó, President of Beach Soccer Worldwide, the tournament is a “strong sign of the growing globalisation of beach soccer.”
“The first World Winners Cup was a historic milestone for beach soccer and we are very excited about the return of this competition. A tournament with clubs from around the world is a sign of beach soccer’s continuous growth and global expansion.
Joan Cuscó, President of Beach Soccer Worldwide – 2022
The World Winners Cup returns to the picturesque coastal town of Alghero, Italy, for its fifth instalment, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. The 2024 tournament takes place from September 17 to 22, again bringing together top clubs from around the globe for an exciting week of beach soccer action.
With its rich history, global participation, and commitment to excellence, the World Winners Cup remains an event that beach soccer clubs and players look forward to participating, and fans eagerly anticipate, as the world’s top clubs clash in a celebration of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship, showcasing the ultimate expression of beach soccer.
Don’t miss the thrilling action, watch live at the stadium or stream via beachsoccerTV, as the tournament brings together the world’s top beach soccer clubs and players.
Photo: BSWW
