RFEF and BSWW Champions Functional Diversity in Sport

Last weekend, El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain, buzzed with more than just the electrifying atmosphere of the Euro Beach Soccer League 2025 at the iconic Plaza Real de Toros, which had been transformed into a beach soccer arena to host Europe’s finest beach soccer talents. On the sideline, the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) staged a groundbreaking Inclusive League tournament featuring participants with functional diversity, which brought together teams from across Spain and showcased the unifying power of sport. This remarkable weekend of action and inclusion left a lasting impact on the region.

The Euro Beach Soccer League 2025, held from May 22 to 25 at the historic Plaza Real de Toros in El Puerto de Santa María, drew 16 top European men’s and women’s teams. Lithuania won Division B, while Spain triumphed in both the Women’s and Division A categories. 

At the heart of the weekend, however, lay the parallel Inclusive League tournament organised by the RFEF. Running from Friday to Sunday, this event featured six regional teams—Selección Andaluza, Selección Canaria, Selección Cántabra, Selección Castilla-La Mancha, Selección Melillense, and Selección de la Región de Murcia—comprising players with functional diversity. Held alongside the Competición Pre-benjamín Fútbol Playa El Puerto de Santa María for children aged 5 to 7 on May 23 and 24, these side events underscored a commitment to youth development and inclusivity, positioning El Puerto de Santa María as a beacon of accessible sport.

The Inclusive League tournament highlighted the BSWW’s dedication to empowering individuals with diverse abilities through beach soccer. Teams from diverse regions united on the sand, showcasing talent, resilience, and teamwork. Joan Cusco, President of Beach Soccer Worldwide, emphasised the importance of this inclusivity, stating, “We saw and enjoyed the best players in the world while also giving a moment for those in the Inclusive League to shine, sharing their happiness.”

“The weekend exemplified how sport transcends competition, uniting communities. Everyone belongs on the sand.” – Joan Cusco.

This effort aligned with broader trends in sports to break down barriers. The tournament’s timing, coinciding with the Euro Beach Soccer League, amplified its visibility, offering a platform where elite athletes and adaptive players inspired each other. Local leaders, including Mayor Germán Beardo, praised the event’s role in establishing El Puerto as a hub for international sport and social progress, blending cultural heritage with a forward-looking vision.