With the kick-off of the biggest sporting event on the planet just around the corner, the European Multisport Clubs Association (EMCA) will have its own presence in the great celebration of world football.
Top football players from the Federation’s member clubs have been called up to represent their national teams in the final stage of the World Cup, which will be held in the stadiums of the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.
Their participation is the culmination of a long and demanding competitive season, during which athletes from EMCA member clubs distinguished themselves through their performances, competitive consistency, and sportsmanship.
The presence of football players from historic member clubs of the Federation confirms the high athletic quality and international reach of the organizations that comprise EMCA. At the same time, it highlights the key role of European multisport clubs in preparing, supporting, and developing top-level athletes capable of starring on the world stage.
The fact that EMCA member clubs consistently supply national teams from different continents underscores the multifaceted and global impact of the Federation. This expanded representation reflects the systematic, structured, and professional work carried out daily at all levels of the member clubs.
Through the continuous evolution of their sports departments, the clubs strengthen the institutional position, credibility, and extroversion of the European sports movement on a global scale, promoting the values of cooperation, excellence, and fair play.
EMCA wishes every success to all the football players of its member clubs who will participate in the tournament. These athletes are worthy ambassadors of the values of European multisport on the international stage, and their presence fills the entire EMCA family with pride.
The detailed list of football players from EMCA member clubs who will compete in the World Cup follows below, ordered by the number of representatives per club:
EMCA expresses its warmest congratulations to Olympiacos SFP for their historic EuroLeague title win in men’s basketball — a new golden chapter in the journey of one of Europe’s leading multi-sport clubs.
For EMCA, this success carries a special symbolism. Olympiacos is a founding member of the European Multisport Club Association and an active member of its Board of Directors. Its ability to combine athletic excellence with institutional contribution and the promotion of sporting values at a European level serves as a shining example.
Congratulations to the management, the coaching staff, the athletes, and the fans — and best of luck in pursuit of new triumphs!
For the 5th year in a row, Bar was the venue for the incredible festival of esports, gaming and digital technologies & innovation. It has genuinely become a global event, gathering the greatest gamers, innovators, incubators, accelerators and all drivers in this global, omnipresent phenomenon. Games are not new, from the first personal computers, internet and an all present acticitiy with the young. But the greatest change that occurred in the philosophy of egaming has become the revival of the idea of “Mens sano in corpore sano!” (Healthy mind in a healthy body, Latin saying). Namely, the global audience of gaming has realised that playing a game in your comfortable gaming chair is not enough. The body needs workout too. So, new trends and activities have started growing around gaming – physical literacy, a fixed amount of physical activites that need to be done in a certain time frame, but a new emerging field too – Phygital (International)! A combination of digital gaming and exercising/competing sports is now at the doorsteps of all nations.
EMCA has a history connected to the world of esports. One of the earliest Erasmus+ Sport projects was exactly about what Phygital is all about – gaming with physical sports. At the festival EMCA was represented by Bojan Mijatović, the director for development & sustainability, who participated in the panel “Innovation, Funding and Ecosystem Development” highlighting the connection between the multisport culture and the esport sector.
The European Multisport Club Association (EMCA) brought the voice of grassroots sport to the highest European institutional level, with a strong presence at the EU Sport Forum 2026, held on April 15–16 in Paphos, Cyprus.
The EMCA delegation, led by President Christina Tsiligkiri, participated actively in a Forum that made one thing unmistakably clear: the time for structural change in the governance and funding of the sports ecosystem has come.
A Powerful Stance on Solidarity
On April 15, Ms. Tsiligkiri took the stage as a keynote speaker at the panel “Rewarding talent in sport: boosting solidarity and competitive balance”, delivering a bold and unambiguous message:
“We fund success, but we often forget to fund the infrastructure that creates it.”
Drawing on the model of multisport clubs, the EMCA President demonstrated how solidarity can — and must — function as an active operational mechanism rather than an abstract principle: by systematically reinvesting resources into amateur sport and grassroots development.
Strategic Takeaways and Proposals
On April 16, with the focus shifting to policy directions and implementation strategies, the EMCA leadership put forward three critical conclusions for the future of European sport:
1. From Recognition to Implementation
Europe has acknowledged the challenges. What is now required are binding and measurable implementation mechanisms — not further declarations.
2. Grassroots Sport at the Centre
Despite formal institutional recognition, strategic planning remains top-heavy and professional-focused. EMCA calls for grassroots sport to be established as a central pillar of European planning.
3. Institutional Safeguards with Accountability
There is a pressing need for mandatory implementation structures with full accountability, ensuring that value flows back to the level where talent is genuinely nurtured.
High-Level European Engagement
Throughout the Forum (April 15–16), the EMCA delegation — which included Director of Development & Sustainability Bojan Mijatovic — held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with key stakeholders, including:
Giorgio Guazzugli Marini, Head of the Sport Unit, European Commission
Gareth Farrelly, CEO, Union of European Clubs
EMCA remains firmly committed to its mission: serving as a bridge between multisport clubs and European decision-makers, and securing a sustainable, inclusive and fair future for sport across the continent.
Keynote Speech by Christina Tsiligkiri:
“Solidarity in sport is not a slogan. It is a structure.”
“At the European Commission’s EU Sport Forum 2026, I had the opportunity to speak about something we have been discussing for years, yet rarely touch upon in its essence: Solidarity in sport. Not as an idea. Not as a principle. But as a functional mechanism. Because that is exactly where the problem lies.
In Europe, we have built a sports model that, theoretically, is based on redistribution—the idea that the top gives back to the base; that success fuels growth. In practice, however, this is not happening. Funding follows visibility. Value concentrates at the top. And the grassroots—where everything begins—is left behind.
A child starts practicing at a local club. They try different sports, evolve, and discover their talent. At some point, they reach the top. Their success creates value: economic, social, and symbolic. But what about the club that nurtured them? In most cases, they receive nothing. This is not just unfair. It is structurally flawed. Because we are funding the result, not the process that produces it.
Multisport clubs: Leading the way There is, however, a model that works: Multisport clubs. In these clubs, solidarity is not an option. It is an inherent part of their operation. Sports that generate revenue support those that do not. Infrastructure is shared. Resources are redistributed internally. Not because an external rule dictates it, but because the system was designed that way.
This is the critical point: Solidarity works when it is embedded in the structure. Not when it relies on good intentions. And this is precisely what can—and must—be transferred to the European level.
The great gap: Between sports Today, even where solidarity mechanisms exist, they operate within a single sport. There is no interconnection. A club that develops an athlete in volleyball, another in rowing, and another in gymnastics, is not recognized collectively for its work. And yet, this is the reality for most clubs in Europe. This is the daily life of the grassroots. This is the point that the system fails to see.
If we want real change If we are serious about a fair and sustainable European sport, we must do three things: First, institutionally recognize multisport clubs. Not as an exception, but as a fundamental pillar of the system. Second, create mandatory and transparent solidarity mechanisms. With clear data. With accountability. With rules that apply to everyone. Third, support the grassroots with stable resources. Not just through short-term programs lasting a few years, but with structural funding that allows for real long-term planning.
Europe’s choice European sport is at a crossroads. It can continue as it is today, with value concentrated among the few while the grassroots struggles to survive. Or, it can take a step forward. Transforming solidarity from a concept into a mechanism. From a slogan into a policy. From intention into result.
The solutions already exist. We see them every day in multisport clubs. The question is whether we are ready to recognize them—and implement them.”
The European Multi-Sport Club Association (EMCA) is set to play a prominent role in the upcoming EU Sport Forum 2026, the European Commission’s flagship event dedicated to the future of the sporting sector. This year’s forum, held in Paphos, Cyprus, gathers leading representatives and decision-makers to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in European athletics.
On Wednesday, April 15, EMCA will contribute to the high-level dialogue through the participation of its President, Christina Tsiligkiri, who has been invited as a featured speaker in the Christian Barnard room. The session will focus on the evolving concept of competitive balance and its necessity for the credibility and sustainability of sporting competitions.
The panel, titled “Rewarding talent in sport: boosting solidarity and competitive balance,” will examine how financial disparities, structural inequalities, and increasing commercialisation affect the sporting ecosystem. The panel features:
Gareth Farrelly: CEO, Union of European Clubs.
Roko Sikirić: President, European Volleyball Confederation.
Christina Tsiligkiri: President, European Multi-Sport Club Association (EMCA).
The discussion will be moderated by Giorgio Guazzugli Marini (Head of the Sport Unit, European Commission), focusing on strategies to ensure a more balanced and sustainable future for European sport.
For EMCA, this participation represents both a significant recognition of its impact on the European stage and a responsibility to actively contribute to a fairer and more unpredictable sporting environment.
Session Info:
Topic: Rewarding talent in sport: boosting solidarity and competitive balance
The European Multi-Sport Club Association (EMCA) is set to participate in the upcoming Montenegro Future Festival, joining a high-level panel focused on the evolution of the sports sector through innovation and new strategic funding models.
On Saturday, EMCA representatives and industry experts will analyze the future prospects of the sporting ecosystem in a session titled “Building the Future: Innovation, Funding & Ecosystem Development.”
The panel features:
Bojan Mijatović: Director for Development & Sustainability, EMCA | International Director, HAŠK Mladost.
Mario Čelan: Director at Educatorium.
Domagoj Crnković: Senior Education Associate, PISMO Inkubator (SIMORA).
Radivoje Drobnjak: Head of the Sector for Innovative Programs and Projects, Science and Technology Park of Montenegro.
The discussion will be moderated by Marina Braletić (Project Manager, Five Grupa), focusing on strategies that bridge technology with the sustainability of sports organizations.
The EMCA Sport Innovation Hub transforms sports clubs into centers of innovation and technology at a European scale.
EMCA continues to grow and pioneer. With the official presentation of the Sport Innovation Hub in Sant Cugat, Barcelona, the European Multisport Club Association sets the foundation for a strategic initiative that connects the world of sport with European ecosystems in health, technology, and education. The event, hosted at CAR Sant Cugat, served as the first pilot implementation of a model that transforms sports clubs into “living labs” for innovation.
The objective of the EMCA Sport Innovation Hub is to create an environment where innovative solutions can be tested and developed in real-life conditions. The key pillars of the initiative include health and prevention, sports performance, sustainability, healthy lifestyles, and education. Through this networking, EMCA facilitates the connection between startups, universities, technology centers, and public administration, strengthening the role of multisport clubs as accelerators of progress with a real impact on society.
The project structure is based on four central pillars:
EMCA Demo Day: An annual European meeting to connect innovative companies with sports clubs.
EMCA Labs (Living Labs): A network of clubs acting as testing environments for new technological solutions. European Sports Innovation Observatory: A tool to identify trends and share specialized knowledge.
Strategic Alliances: Collaborations with academic institutions, European bodies, and industry partners.
The success of the pilot phase in Barcelona, with the participation of leading organizations and technology companies, confirms the dynamics of the model. EMCA consolidates its position as a reference point for the implementation of European programs, promoting sustainability and digital transformation.
The next step involves activating the Hub’s operational plan, opening new funding and development opportunities for European sport.
During the recent General Assembly in Sant Cugat, the European Multisport Club Association (EMCA) announced that its next regular Assembly in 2027 will be held in Portugal, hosted by Sporting Lisbon.
The choice of Lisbon is part of EMCA’s strategy to organize its annual meetings in cities and clubs with recognized expertise in managing multiple sports departments. The Portuguese capital is a destination with a strong athletic footprint, offering the ideal environment for knowledge sharing among the Association’s members.
The Assembly’s proceedings are expected to take place at the Sporting Lisbon facility complex, which includes:
The Jose Alvalade Stadium, featuring modern infrastructure for hosting international sporting and administrative events.
The Pavilhão João Rocha, the multi-purpose center serving the needs of the basketball, volleyball, handball, futsal, and roller hockey departments.
Specialized training and support areas for individual and team sports, highlighting the functional structure of a major multisport organization.
Educational and training facilities focused on youth athlete development and the integration of sports science into daily practice.
The 2027 General Assembly in Lisbon will serve as a central meeting point for strengthening cooperation, the strategic development of members, and the promotion of EMCA’s common goals at a European level.
The three-day conference of the European Multisport Club Association (EMCA) in Sant Cugat and Barcelona concluded with absolute success, signaling a new phase of growth and international outreach for the organization. The proceedings culminated in the annual General Assembly, where member clubs outlined the strategy for the upcoming year, focusing on the expansion of the network and the strengthening of diplomatic ties with international sports and institutional stakeholders.
In this context, EMCA reaffirmed its active and continuous participation in European Commission Erasmus+ programs, further fostering collaboration among its members and the exchange of best practices across Europe. Furthermore, the Association officially welcomed four new members, approving the inclusion of Goztepe, PUC, Leman Ballers, and EuroSpoc, significantly boosting the dynamics of the European sports family.
During the Assembly, it was decided that the next General Assembly will take place in Lisbon, with Sporting CP hosting the event at its facilities. Among the conference’s key innovations was the presentation of EMCA Studia, a pioneering digital repository designed to preserve the digital legacy of all European projects.
All club representatives expressed their warm gratitude to the Sant Cugat Creix team for their impeccable hospitality and the exceptional facilities provided throughout the three-day event.
Statement of President of the EMCA Assembly, Vanina Milanova, Phd:
«This week, the members of the European Multisports Clubs Association had the opportunity to spend a few days in sunny Catalonia, warmly hosted by Sant Cugat Creix. It was an honor to be part of a diverse and quality program that included discussions with the municipal administration on sports policies and the future of sports, meetings on EU projects, a conference on innovation in sports with key business players and sports program creators, and exchanges with partners from Belgium and France. The EMCA is growing and developing, with more than 80% of the voting members attending the annual assembly, and 4 new clubs becoming members of the association, accepted with a full majority.
The confirmed invitation of Sporting Clube de Portugal to hold the 2027 assembly in Lisbon was also received with applause.
The Fédération Française des clubs omnisports has invited its members to its biggest event, a national meeting of more than 300 French clubs in the fall of 2027.
In 2028, the EMCA assembly will be hosted in beautiful Naples.
The association’s management has declared its intention to engage more with its members, through support and participation in joint initiatives and projects.
This is EMCA, the multisport family built in the spirit of friendship!»
“We are leaving Barcelona with a clear action plan,” stated EMCA President, Christina Tsiligkiri. “Our Association is no longer merely following developments—it is co-shaping them, investing in transparency, technology, and inclusion.”
Sant Cugat 2026 stands as a milestone for a stronger and more dynamic European multisport movement.
The “EMCA Innovation Conference” concluded with great success as part of the 2nd day of the European Multi-Sport Club Association (EMCA) General Assembly. The event was hosted at the High Performance Sports Centre (CAR) in Sant Cugat, Barcelona, bringing together leading representatives from the sports industry, technology, and innovation sectors across Europe.
The conference opened with a welcome from local authorities and Manel Gonzalez (SantCugatCreix). In her opening remarks, EMCA President Cristina Tsilikiri emphasized the vital importance of collaboration between sports organizations and technological evolution. The opening session also featured Cesar Thovar (Catalan Government) and Albert Salarich (Sant Cugat Municipality).
Internationalization and Innovation by Global Players
The first session, moderated by Pere Vilá (General Manager of INDESCAT), analyzed the prospects of sports internationalization with the participation of entities such as the Barcelona Sports Hub and ISL Agency.
Following this, the spotlight turned to innovation cases from three major global players:
FC Barcelona: Jordi Mompart (Director of Barça Vision) detailed the club’s strategy regarding Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain technologies.
Fluidra: Oriol Serra presented smart and energy-efficient solutions for sports and wellness facilities.
Veolia: Maria Millet focused on ecological transformation and sustainability within sports infrastructure.
Introducing the EMCA Innovation Hub (E4IH)
A pivotal moment of the day was the official presentation of the EMCA Innovation Hub (E4IH) by President Cristina Tsilikiri. The E4IH is the Association’s new flagship initiative aimed at bridging the gap between sports clubs and innovative solutions, driving the digital transformation of EMCA members throughout Europe.
1st EMCA E4IH Demo Day
The conference concluded with the presentation of groundbreaking startups and digital projects:
Vrain Medical: Presentation of “AthleteVR,” utilizing AI and VR to accelerate “Return to Play” for elite athletes managing musculoskeletal injuries.
Bayer Leverkusen: Malte Kalsbach presented the “DigiRoots AI” project, designed to help grassroots sports clubs adopt digital technologies to boost efficiency and sustainability.
Ona Labs: Xavier Muñoz analyzed advanced digital health platforms for non-invasive monitoring of sweat biomarkers to optimize athlete health and performance.
The day concluded with a networking lunch, where EMCA members and participating companies discussed future synergies and the continued integration of technology in the sporting world.
