On September 20, 2025, ASD Napoli lifted the World Winners Cup trophy in front of a roaring crowd on the golden sands of Sicily, defeating Riga FC 6-3 in a thrilling final that cemented their status as the new kings of international beach soccer. The win wasn’t just another title—it was a statement. After dominating the 2023 edition in Alghero without dropping a single match, Napoli returned to the podium with even greater firepower, proving they’re not just a flash in the pan but a dynasty in the making. The tournament, held from September 16 to 21, 2025, drew teams from across the globe, but it was the Italian side’s precision, speed, and unshakable composure under pressure that turned heads.
A Final That Never Let Up
The final between ASD Napoli and Riga FC started like a sprint—and didn’t slow down. Just 72 seconds in, Zurlo fired a low, curling shot past the Riga keeper, sending the Italian bench into pandemonium. Minutes later, Lucao doubled the lead with a acrobatic bicycle kick that still has fans replaying it on social media. But Riga, hungry for redemption after their 2023 final loss, responded with brutal efficiency. Bernardo and Wesley Silva struck within five minutes to tie it at 2-2. For a moment, the momentum swung. The crowd held its breath.
Then came the second period—and ASD Napoli turned it into a masterclass. Sciacca opened the floodgates with a header off a perfect cross. Palmacci followed with a blistering volley from 12 yards. And Sanfilippo, the quiet engine of the midfield, capped the surge with a clinical one-timer from the edge of the box. By the 20-minute mark, Napoli led 5-2. The rhythm was unstoppable. When Lucao added his second goal early in the third period, it felt less like a goal and more like a coronation.
The Quiet Dominance of ASD Napoli
What makes Napoli’s back-to-back titles so remarkable isn’t just the scorelines—it’s the consistency. In 2023, they won every single match in Alghero without conceding more than two goals in any game. This year, they didn’t just win—they dismantled opponents with surgical precision. Their coach, Luca Di Marco, has built a squad that blends youth and experience: seven players from the 2023 winning team returned, including captain Lucao, now the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals across five games. The team’s average age? Just 24. They’re not just good—they’re building something that could dominate for years.
Meanwhile, Riga FC fought valiantly. Their captain, Vasiljevs, scored a late consolation goal in the final, his fourth of the tournament. But the Latvian side, despite their technical flair, couldn’t match Napoli’s physicality or defensive organization. They’ve now lost two finals in three years—a pattern that’s starting to sting.
The Rise of the World Winners Cup
The World Winners Cup has come a long way since its rocky start. Launched in 2019 in Alanya, Turkey, the inaugural tournament featured 19 teams and a modest €35,000 prize pool. Flamengo beat China’s Meizhou Hakka 5-3 to claim the first title. But by 2020, the event was shelved indefinitely after administrative chaos. It wasn’t until 2022, when it returned to Poetto Beach in Cagliari, Sardinia, that the tournament found its footing. That year, Germany’s Real Münster crushed El Salvador’s La Pirraya 9-3 in the final.
The 2023 edition in Alghero was the real turning point. With 24 teams, 242 players, and 584 goals across 60 matches, it became the largest and most explosive beach soccer tournament ever held. For the first time, women’s competition was fully integrated, with Ukraine’s Mriya-2006 winning the inaugural women’s title. The 2025 edition in Sicily drew 26 teams—the biggest field yet—and featured players from 18 countries, including debutants from Senegal and the Philippines.
What’s Next?
Organizers from Beach Soccer Worldwide are already hinting at expansion. The 2026 tournament is rumored to be held in Dubai, potentially marking the first time the event leaves Europe. With TV rights deals in negotiation across Asia and Latin America, and sponsorship interest surging—especially from sports betting firms and beachwear brands—the World Winners Cup is no longer a niche event. It’s becoming a global spectacle.
For ASD Napoli, the challenge now is maintaining their edge. Several key players are in contract talks, and rival clubs are already scouting their academy prospects. But for now, the Italian team is basking in glory. "We didn’t just win a trophy," said Lucao after the match. "We proved that beach soccer belongs on the world stage. And we’re just getting started."
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect ASD Napoli’s standing in international beach soccer?
ASD Napoli’s 2025 title makes them the first club to win the World Winners Cup twice since its 2019 revival, and the first to win back-to-back titles. Their dominance—winning all 10 matches across 2023 and 2025 without conceding more than three goals in any game—positions them as the most consistent team in the tournament’s history. They now lead all clubs in total goals scored (37) and lowest goals conceded per game (1.8) since 2022.
Why was the World Winners Cup suspended between 2020 and 2022?
The tournament was indefinitely postponed in July 2020 due to administrative disarray and logistical conflicts between Beach Soccer Worldwide and local organizers. The pandemic played a role, but internal disputes over sponsorship allocation and venue contracts were the primary causes. It took two years of restructuring, new funding from the Italian Football Federation, and a commitment to gender equity to bring the event back in 2022.
Who were the top scorers in the 2025 World Winners Cup?
ASD Napoli’s Lucao led the tournament with seven goals, including two in the final. Riga FC’s Wesley Silva finished second with six goals, while Pafos FC’s striker Elias Kostas scored five, including a hat-trick in the third-place playoff. Overall, the 2025 edition saw 147 goals scored across 26 teams—a new record for the tournament, surpassing the 136 goals from 2023.
How has the women’s competition evolved since its 2023 debut?
Since Mriya-2006 won the inaugural women’s title in 2023, the women’s bracket has grown from 6 to 10 teams in 2025. Brazil’s CR Flamengo Women claimed the 2025 title, defeating Spain’s FC Barcelona Beach 4-2 in a dramatic final. Prize money for the women’s division has increased by 200% since 2023, now matching the men’s runner-up payout at €8,000.
What’s the significance of Sicily hosting the 2025 tournament?
Sicily’s hosting marked the first time the World Winners Cup was held outside Sardinia since 2021. The island’s beaches, infrastructure, and fan turnout—over 28,000 spectators across six match days—proved it can rival traditional beach soccer hubs. Local officials are now lobbying for the 2027 edition, citing a 37% increase in regional tourism during the event. For Italy, it’s a sign that beach soccer is no longer just a summer pastime—it’s a serious economic and cultural asset.
How does the World Winners Cup compare to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup?
While FIFA’s Beach Soccer World Cup features national teams and occurs every two years, the World Winners Cup is exclusively for top-tier club teams and happens annually. It’s more like the UEFA Champions League for beach soccer: faster-paced, more commercialized, and with higher individual star power. Many players compete in both, but the World Winners Cup is where club legends like Napoli’s Lucao make their biggest marks.