Both institutions have announced a scholarship program aimed at promoting female leadership in the football industry
In a joint initiative to foster the professional development of future women leaders in the sports sector, Johan Cruyff Institute and World Football Summit (WFS) have announced the launch of an exclusive scholarship program for women. The program offers a total of four educational scholarships for some of the most renowned master’s degrees in the field, including:
- 1 full (100%) scholarship for the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona
- 1 partial (50%) scholarship for the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona
- 1 partial (50%) scholarship for the Master in Sport Business Blended Barcelona
- 1 partial (50%) scholarship for the Master in Football Business Online
Despite progress, the reality is that only 38.4% of executive positions in Spain are held by women, according to the Women in Business 2025 report by Grant Thornton. This marks a step backward compared to previous years, highlighting the need for targeted training and support programs that promote women’s access to leadership roles—also within the sports industry.
Applications for the scholarship program opened on Wednesday, June 11. The deadline for submission is July 11. Interested candidates can find full details and apply through the World Football Summit website. The scholarship program has been held over several editions and has produced success stories.
Closing the gender gap in sports leadership
Cecilia Lagos, a journalist at ESPN Deportes, studied the Master in Football Business Online in 2024 thanks to a WFS scholarship. Cecilia highlights her academic experience: “I’m very happy that I dared to apply and win the scholarship to study at the Johan Cruyff Institute. I love the huge challenge that studying again after so long represents, and seeing that my effort pays off by passing all the courses. It’s a fantastic feeling of achievement and an opportunity I’m truly grateful for.”
Eugenia Károlyi studied the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona in 2023, also thanks to one of the WFS scholarships.“I am committed to using the skills and knowledge acquired during this master’s program to promote equality, sustainable development, and the building of a more inclusive and ethical industry,” she affirms. Currently, Eugenia is a Broadcast Journalist and Content Creator at LaLiga TV International.
In addition to the scholarships, the four selected candidates will receive a free pass to World Football Summit Madrid (October 15–16, 2025), where the official scholarship ceremony will take place.
Albert Romans, General Manager of Johan Cruyff Institute, emphasized the program’s role in promoting female leadership in the sports industry: “This initiative is a step towards professionalizing sports through education. With these scholarships, we reinforce our commitment to equal opportunities and to fostering strong, globally-minded female leadership.”
