Man. City, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Benfica, and Roma among participating teams
Maltese official Joanne Vassallo was recently in the coastal town of Estoril, Portugal, who played host to the inaugural edition of World Sevens Football (W7F), a new seven-a-side tournament that brought together some of Europe’s most renowned women’s clubs in a dynamic and fast-paced showcase of talent.
The event, held May 21 and 23, concluded just one day before the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, and featured eight elite teams: Ajax, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Manchester City, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Roma, and Rosengard.
With a $5 million prize pool on offer and a vision to create a ‘Grand Slam’ for the women’s game, W7F delivered on both spectacle and purpose.
The competition format saw teams divided into two groups of four, each playing in a round-robin format over the first two days.
Matches were contested on half-sized grass pitches, with games played over two 15-minute halves. Squads featured up to 14 players, and rolling substitutions allowed for high tempo and fluid football.
Group 1 included Manchester City, Ajax, Bayern Munich, and Rosengard, while Group 2 featured Benfica, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Roma. The top two from each group advanced to the semi-finals, with the competition culminating in a thrilling final. Bayern Munich were crowned champions after a 2-1 victory over Manchester United.
Backed by U.S.-based philanthropist Jennifer Mackesy — who holds a minority stake in Chelsea Women and is co-owner of NWSL club Gotham FC — the W7F aims to be more than just a tournament. Mackesy’s vision is to “elevate the women’s game” by offering a bold platform to grow player profiles, enhance economic opportunity, and reflect the true value of women athletes.
The competition’s advisory panel includes former internationals Anita Asante, Caroline Seger, and two-time World Cup winner Kelley O’Hara, all of whom lend weight and perspective to its mission. Asante described the format as “football, but faster, bolder, and made for the future.”
Middle referee
Maltese FIFA referee Vassallo was among the match officials selected to take part in this groundbreaking competition.
In only her second year as an international referee, Vassallo was appointed to several matches, including as middle referee for Rosengard vs Bayern Munich, an additional referee in Manchester United vs Benfica and as fourth official in Manchester City vs Rosengard, Ajax vs Bayern Munich, Roma vs Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica vs Roma, Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain (the semi-final) and Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain (the third-place ranking match).
Reflecting on her experience, Vassallo called the tournament “an unforgettable experience” and a unique career milestone.
“Truly an unexpected opportunity which will always make me cherish this amazing journey,” she said.
“The tournament was all about bringing everyone together through a fun and enthusiastic contribution. Both the professional athletes and team officials brought about the element of collaboration, focusing on the creation of bringing diversity and equality together.”
Her selection came through a personal referral from a fellow official who recommended her to the organisers, a testament to her growing reputation in the international refereeing scene.
Vassallo’s participation follows earlier milestones in her international career, including her UEFA debut in March 2024 at the UEFA Women’s U-17 Championship qualifiers and participation in a referee exchange with the Andorra FA in December 2023.
“As match officials, team players, and also the organisers – being ex-players and coaches themselves – we were there to lead by example and aim to inspire the next generation to motivate themselves to work hard and be part of the game of football, especially those that involve women, since there are plenty of career opportunities nowadays,” she added.
Vassallo also praised the support and mentorship she received during the tournament, especially from elite-level referees present.
“I am also very thankful for the match officials I closely worked with during this tournament as apart from just having the opportunity of broadening my experience and practice, I was also inspired by the elite officials who motivated me and made me feel I am on the right path, doing all it takes to follow my dream,” she said.
The personal and professional connections she made in Estoril left a lasting impression.
“Apart from just the officials, I am truly grateful for all the people whom I have met, as they are not just friends but are my family who I truly hope to see again soon one day. Maybe on the next tournament,” she said with a smile.
