Social and Environmental Impact of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup European Qualifier Andalucía Cádiz

During the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 European Qualifier held in Cádiz, Andalucía, food from the Guest´s Area was donated to local social canteens. This initiative showcases the event’s commitment to social responsibility and support for the community. The practice of donating food to social canteens has created a notable impact both socially and environmentally. This initiative not only addresses hunger but also fosters ecological awareness and strengthens community bonds. By making these donations, we are addressing the issue of food waste, especially in a world where significant amounts of food are discarded daily; this has become our approach to mitigate such waste. 

The contribution of food to social canteens in Cádiz plays a crucial role in assisting the most vulnerable populations. Social canteens have become essential resources, offering nutritious meals to those in need. 

CADIZ, SPAIN – OCTOBER 04: FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 – European Qualifier Andalucía Cádiz at Playa de La Victoria on October 04, 2024 in Cadiz, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images)

The Environmental Impact in the Qualifier on the Cádiz Qualifier 

The primary goal during the Qualifier was to create an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone while minimizing our environmental impact and fostering sustainability. We aimed to restore the venue to its original condition as swiftly as possible for continued use, with all surplus materials from setup, event execution, and teardown processes being responsibly recycled.

In preparation for the event, we required all suppliers to ensure the venue was left spotless, conducting thorough clean-ups of any setup materials. During the setup phase, we identified and managed three primary types of waste:

• Structural Waste: Generated from assembling stands and platforms, which we reviewed daily to prevent any remnants from becoming buried in the beach sand.
• Flooring Waste: Excess materials from carpeting the Accreditation area were carefully collected and returned to the supplier.
• Customization Waste: Materials from stadium branding, such as PVC banners and ties, were monitored daily to ensure they didn’t accumulate or end up buried in the sand.

Some materials from the customization phase were recycled for future events or repurposed for other community initiatives in Andalusia. This approach reflects our commitment to sustainability and responsible event management.

During the event, we partnered with Aguas de Cádiz to install three water fountains, reducing single-use plastic waste. An exclusive cleaning service, coordinated with the Municipal Cleaning Service, kept the venue spotless. Accredited participants and athletes received reusable plastic bottles to support efficient water use. Additionally, we strategically placed labeled waste bins throughout the event area, aligned with the expected waste types and volumes.

To maintain cleanliness, we installed informational signage encouraging attendees to keep the facilities litter-free, including the grandstands, restrooms, and surrounding areas. Smoking was strictly prohibited throughout the temporary sports venue. We also used a sound limiter to manage the event’s audio levels, preventing noise pollution on the beach and minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment.

After the event, the dismantling process involved the industrial representatives of each contracted supplier, who were responsible for stacking the waste into “islands.” At the end of the process, they collected the waste and returned it to their cities of origin for deposit at trusted and nearby recycling points. The final condition of the space has been evaluated in conjunction with the competent authority of the venue. Additionally, a dedicated cleaning service was contracted in advance to reinforce the entire process at its final stage. 

“We are dedicated to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all participants while minimizing environmental impact. Our efforts focus on promoting responsible consumption and sustainable practices, with the goal of promptly restoring the space to its original conditions post-event,” stated Rafael Baena, Beach Soccer Worldwide Freelance, Operations Coordinator. 

In collaboration with FunAdict, the installation of water stations, the promotion of responsible consumption, and the recycling of excess materials were carried out as planned. Thanks to these efforts, we were able not only to mitigate environmental impact but also to restore the area to its original conditions promptly. We believe that this sustainable approach not only met our objectives but also served as a model for future events, strengthening our commitment to environmental protection and social inclusion.