Inaugural UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup marks big step forward
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Article summary
Croatia have been crowned the first-ever UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup champions, triumphing in a landmark debut for the tournament at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.
Article top media content
Article body
The inaugural UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup brought together eight national associations in celebration of the sport and the chance to champion lifelong participation in football.
The success of the competition highlights the rapid growth of walking football across Europe and UEFA’s commitment to making the game accessible to all.
A celebration of inclusion
The Croatian team secured the title thanks to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out win in the final against Italy, completing a day of competition played in the spirit of inclusion, respect and enjoyment that forms the founding principles of walking football.
Among the participants was Portugal’s 60-year-old Ana Paula Violante, whose relationship with football stretches back to her early childhood. Growing up at a time when opportunities for girls and women were limited, she repeatedly faced barriers to playing the game she loved. Walking football has given her a chance to rekindle that passion.
"It was with enormous joy that at 57 I discovered walking football, an opportunity to continue doing what I have loved since I was born," said Ana Paula. "I will never be able to thank you properly for this opportunity."
An important step forward
The UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup brought together Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Scotland and Spain, showcasing the momentum and growth of walking football programmes across Europe.
It marks a significant expansion on the UEFA Walking Football Cup pilot staged in 2024, where four teams (England, Gibraltar, Portugal and Sweden) tested adapted formats and provided feedback on the development of the game. Insights from the pilot informed UEFA’s ongoing work, including the Walking Football Toolkit and wider grassroots support.
The tournament also served as a platform for national associations to present their work in promoting health, wellbeing and social connection through football, while highlighting the format's ability to reach new communities.
"It was with enormous joy that at 57 I discovered walking football, an opportunity to continue doing what I have loved since I was born."
Many of the members of Team Greece, for example, work with the country's homeless community – some of whom train with the team. They hope their participation will encourage more people from vulnerable groups to get involved in walking football.
In a demonstration of the format’s capacity to bring together people of diverse backgrounds, playing alongside them was former Greece national football team player Savvas Kofidis. "I am very glad to be here, connecting with others, making new friends – it's amazing for me," said Kofidis.
A participant-led approach
No matter the results on the pitch, for many, the tournament was about health, connection and the chance to continue to enjoy football in later life. Players and coaches who spoke to UEFA at the event were keen to underline the wider value of walking football beyond competition.
"Playing again after 36 years made me feel young again," said Armando, part of team Spain. "Age changes your style of play, but not your enthusiasm."
His coach, Juan Carlos, echoed that sentiment: "Walking football opened a door for me that I thought was closed forever: that of feeling the magic of football again."
Connections forged on the pitch often extend beyond the game itself, with many players highlighting walking football's social benefits. For one Croatian player, walking football has provided support through some of life's most difficult moments. After recovering from a stroke and losing close family members, she says walking football has not only helped her stay active but given her an invaluable opportunity to socialise and combat loneliness.
Growing across Europe
The inaugural UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup marks the beginning of a new chapter for the format at European level, which is set to continue to expand as part of national association strategies focused on inclusion, participation and healthy ageing.
"Walking football is growing," said former Benfica and national team player Shéu, now aged 73, who was part of Team Portugal. "In Portugal we see teams playing for health, for communities. I think in the next five years the sport will double."
"Walking football opened a door for me that I thought was closed forever: that of feeling the magic of football again."
UEFA supports this growth through resources such as the Walking Football Toolkit and knowledge-sharing across member associations.
Croatia may have set the standard on the pitch, but the tournament was also a celebration of the expansion and quality of walking football across Europe, and a demonstration of football’s role as a lifelong activity that supports health, wellbeing and social connection.
How walking football fits into UEFA's wider sustainability activity
Walking football reflects how we view the game's wider role in society: not only as competition, but as a tool for healthier, longer and more connected lives. In our recently updated Strength Through Unity sustainability strategy, it sits within our health and well-being policy as a simple, inclusive way to keep older people active, engaged and part of the football community.
By continuing to promote walking football opportunities and its dedicated toolkit, we recognise the format's power to support physical activity, mental well-being and social connection, while helping member associations widen participation across generations through regular activity and future tournaments.