Rui Coelho
It is with great pleasure that the Madeira Football Association joins the organization of Football is Medicine 2026, an international scientific event that, from January 21st to 24th, 2026, will bring together in Madeira leading experts, researchers, and professionals from around the world to discuss the role of football and physical activity in promoting health, well-being, and quality of life.
President of the Madeira Football Association
This congress holds particular significance for the Madeira Football Association, as it aligns with the strategic objectives defined in our Sports Development Program 2025–2028, which places “sport for all,” the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and football as a tool for human development at the core of our mission.
We firmly believe that football is not only about competition or performance: it is education, public health, social inclusion, and quality of life throughout all stages of life.
The history of our Region clearly demonstrates how football can transform lives. The greatest example is Cristiano Ronaldo, born and raised in Madeira, whose international success is built not only on talent but also on an exemplary culture of discipline, physical care, preparation, mental resilience, and commitment to training — values that Football is Medicine also promotes and that we aim to strengthen among the new generations.
The partnership involving the University of Madeira, the Portuguese Football Federation, the Madeira Football Association, and other institutions is clear proof that science, education, and the associative movement can and should work together to place football at the service of people and society.
Accordingly, we confirm that Football is Medicine 2026 will be integrated into our Training Plan, enabling coaches, referees, officials, technicians, and sports agents from the Region to benefit from this unique moment of learning and scientific development.
We therefore extend our greetings to all national and international participants visiting us, wishing that Madeira will be, for everyone, a place of knowledge, inspiration, and sharing.
Welcome to Madeira and to Football is Medicine 2026.
David Gomes
It is with great pleasure that I welcome all participants to Football is Medicine 2026, which will take place between 21 and 24 January 2026. This is an international scientific event that honours us all, and in particular the University of Madeira (UMa), as the main organiser of this flagship training event.
Regional Sports Director
This international conference is an opportunity for reflection and the exchange of ideas on current and emerging issues in modern society, which are of great interest for the development and quality of our regional sports agents, particularly for the further training of our coaches working in regional sports.
The contribution of our UMa in promoting the need for knowledge, continuous learning and knowledge sharing is of recognised value in the sporting development of our Autonomous Region of Madeira.
The Regional Directorate for Sport is proud of this fruitful partnership with UMa, and it is in this capacity as a partner that we welcome all participants to this conference, especially those visiting us, in the certainty that they will enjoy not only the excellent quality of the organisation of this colloquium, but also all the natural and cultural beauty that our Madeira kindly offers.
Jorge Carvalho
It is with honor that the Funchal City Council joins the University of Madeira in hosting this seminar, which has established itself as a regional and international benchmark in Sports Sciences.
The Mayor of Funchal
Funchal is a city with a strong connection to sports and physical activity, with many young people achieving great international milestones thanks to the technical quality and scientific training provided by the University of Madeira.
The City Council’s priority is to promote sports practice, with a view to improving the health, well-being and quality of life of its population.
This Municipality is proud to be a partner in this initiative and to offer collaboration in yet another important technical-scientific event, and thanks the University of Madeira for the trust placed in us.
As a co-promoting entity, we assume the responsibility of ensuring exceptional conditions, particularly in terms of logistical support for renowned speakers.
This event reflects our commitment to innovation and continuous professional development, combining science and practice to revolutionize sports training.
May these sessions inspire transformative dialogues and reinforce Funchal as a scientific destination of excellence.
Elsa Fernandes
It is with great honor and satisfaction that the Regional Secretary for Education joins this international event.
Regional Secretary for Education
Hosting this global meeting reaffirms our commitment to integral education, which recognizes sport as a powerful tool for promoting health, well-being, social inclusion and human development. Football, a universal language that crosses cultures, generations and borders, is here revealed as a true educational and transformative instrument.
Football is Medicine 2026 initiative symbolizes the convergence between science, education, health and sports practice, promoting reflections and concrete actions that positively impact schools, communities and public policies. For education, this dialogue is essential: forming healthy, critical and participatory citizens also involves valuing movement, teamwork, discipline and respect.
It is the opportunity to gather experts, researchers, educators, health professionals, leaders and athletes who with their knowledge and experience enrich this space of sharing and international cooperation.
May these days be fertile in learning, partnerships and inspiration for new practices and projects and Football is Medicine 2026 will leave a legacy for education, health and society.
Sílvio Moreira Fernandes
The University of Madeira is honoured to take part in the Football is Medicine 2026 event. This international scientific conference on sports and health sciences is organised by the University of Madeira’s Department of Physical Education and Sports, in partnership with the Funchal City Council, the Madeira Football Association, the Regional Secretariat for Education, Science and Technology, through the Regional Directorate for Sports, and the Interactive Technologies Institute/LARSyS.
Rector of the University of Madeira
As one of the world’s leading scientific events in the field of Sports Sciences, with a particular focus on health-related issues associated with soccer as a means of promoting an active and healthy lifestyle, the University of Madeira and its partner institutions have a unique opportunity to advance a field of great sociocultural importance for our future.
The University of Madeira extends a warm welcome to all participants in the Football is Medicine 2026 conference and commends the collective effort involved in organising this event. We hope that the scientific outcomes, together with the debate and discussion of relevant topics and projects will make a meaningful contribution to enhancing the visibility of the Autonomous Region of Madeira and to strengthening the strategic connection between Sport and Health.
