Press conference held at World Winners Cup Alanya 2026

Alanya’s ambitions for year-round sports tourism and the wider impact of beach soccer were at the heart of a press conference held on Friday at the World Winners Cup Alanya 2026. Beach Soccer Worldwide President Joan Cuscó, Alanya Municipality Vice Mayor Faruk Konukçu and event promoter Ferit Yücel Ergün met the media to discuss the tournament and the opportunities it creates for the city.

Faruk Konukçu welcomed those present on behalf of Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik and highlighted Alanya’s experience in staging international sporting events. He explained that the venue forms part of a broader strategy to support tourism and employment throughout the year.

“We set out to transform Alanya into a city that generates income, competes and creates employment throughout the year through sports and event tourism, and this facility serves exactly that purpose,” he said.

He also thanked the media for helping the city’s events reach audiences nationally and internationally.

Joan Cuscó praised Alanya’s investment in a permanent beach sports venue and its approach to connecting sport with tourism. He passed on the visiting team delegations’ gratitude for the welcome they received at the venue, in their hotels, and across the city.

“They are really happy and very satisfied and very thankful,” he said.

The BSWW President also emphasised the strength of the relationship with Alanya and his desire for it to continue beyond the current agreement.

“We will be coming here as many years as the city wants us here,” Cuscó added.

Ferit Yücel Ergün thanked the municipality, Beach Soccer Worldwide and the media, expressing his pride in the positive feedback received from participating teams.

He also highlighted the human impact of the tournament, describing how a representative of Equator BSC had offered to support a local family following a Beach Soccer Foundation activity held earlier in the morning, involving children with disabilities and children in need.

“This is more than football,” Ergün said. “This is being family.”

Questions from the media and other attendees also explored training camps and the possibility of future national-team events. Cuscó expressed his willingness to help promote the facility to clubs and federations, while indicating that opportunities to bring national teams to Alanya would be considered.

To learn more about the World Winners Cup Alanya 2026, visit beachsoccer.com.