Registration
Participant check-in and networking opportunity before the official program.
Opening Ceremony
Opening Speech:
Said Baghirov PhD.c. - Director at QOLAT Sport Service & Football Agency
Elchin Mammadov - Deputy General Secretary at the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA)
Dr. Erkut Sogut - Managing Director at D.C United FC / USA
Dr. Mustafa Erogut - Former Vice President at Turkish Football Federation & Başakşehir Football Club
A formal welcome and strategic positioning of Football Conference Baku on the international football business map.
Priorities in Football Development
Moderator:
Dr. Erden Or — Coordinator / Acıbadem Sports Academy
Speakers:
Frank Ludolph — Technical Adviser, UEFA
Dr. Mustafa Erogut — Former Vice President Turkish Football Federation & Istanbul Basaksehir Football Club
Elchin Mammadov — AFFA Deputy General Secretary
A discussion on the key priorities shaping football development today, from federation leadership to long-term strategy. The session explores how governance, youth development and structural planning influence the sustainable growth of football.
Coffee Break
Using complimentary coffee break time with full of networking opportunities
Book Launch — The Book of Scouting – Volume One
Speaker:
Tarkan Batgun — CEO / Comparisonator
Tarkan Batgun introduces The Book of Scouting – Volume One, a new work exploring modern scouting, recruitment and the role of data and artificial intelligence in football decision-making, featuring insights from leading professionals across global football.
Please visit amazon website to purchase the book of scouting volume one
Secrets of Scouting and Transfers
Moderator:
Tarkan Batgun — CEO / Comparisonator
Speakers:
Dr. Erkut Sogut — Managing Director / D.C United
Ferda Ramanlı - UEFA PRO Licensed Football Executive
Fernando Matos — Chief Scout / FC Famalicão
Moderated by Tarkan Batgun, this session brings together Dr. Erkut Sogut , Ferda Ramanlı and Fernando Matos to discuss modern scouting, transfer strategies and how clubs identify and secure talent in today’s evolving football landscape.
Lunch Break
Lunch Break
Competition or Collaboration between Player Agents
Moderator:
Cagri Yıldırım — Football Mental Performance Coach / Director of Partnerships at The Football Week
Speakers:
PhD.c Said Baghirov — CEO & Founder / QOLAT Sport Service & Football Agency
Katarina Cosic - Lawyer / FIFA Licensed Football Agent
David Akhalkatsi - DA 8 Sport / FIFA Licensed Football Agent
Burak Baran - Lawyer / FIFA Licensed Football Agent
Feyzulla Mehdiyev - Lawyer / FIFA Licensed Football Agent
A discussion on the dynamics between football agents in the modern transfer market. The session explores when competition drives better opportunities for players and clubs, and when collaboration between agents becomes necessary to complete complex international transfers.
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
Acıbadem Sports Academy presentation
Presenter : Dr. Erden Or - Coordinator at Acibadem Sports Academy
Acıbadem Sports Academy is one of Türkiye's leading institutions in sports education, athlete development, and sports science. Through its innovative programs and industry-driven approach, the academy contributes to the development of coaches, sports managers, performance specialists, and football professionals.
As an official partner of Football Conference Baku, Acıbadem Sports Academy supports the advancement of football education, knowledge sharing, and professional development. Its commitment to combining academic expertise with practical experience makes it a valuable contributor to the future growth of the football industry.
The Invisible Hand: Leading Coaches and Players in Modern Football
Moderator:
Dr. Erden Or - Coordinator at Acıbadem Sports Academy
Speakers:
Dr. Erkut Sogut — Managing Director / D.C. United
Isitan Gun — Former Chairman / Fortuna Sittard
Jordi Gratacos - UEFA Pro License Coach / Former Sports Director FC Barcelona Academy
Lauri Nuuma - Head Coach of Harju JK Laagri in the Estonian Premium Liiga
A discussion on the hidden leadership dynamics within football teams. The session explores how coaches, influential players and key figures inside clubs shape decision-making, team culture and performance beyond what is visible on the pitch.
Gala Dinner
Gala Dinner ( only with speacial invitation )
Great networking night.
Football in the Region
Moderator:
Elchin Mammadov — Deputy General Secretary / AFFA
Speakers:
Nikoloz Jgarkava — General Manager Dinomo Batumi FC / Former Vice President at GFF
Dr. Erden Or - Coordinator at Acıbadem Sports Academy
Zaur Azizov - Sporting Director at Neftchi FC
A discussion on the future development of football in the region. The session explores regional cooperation between clubs and federations, talent development pathways and the strategic growth of football across in the regional ecosystem.
Coffe Break
Coffe Break
Presentation of The International Federation of Football Agents (IFFA)
Presenter : Stefan Duschek - President at IFFA
The International Federation of Football Agents (IFFA) is a global networking platform that brings together football agents, club representatives, scouts, and key stakeholders from across the football industry. Dedicated to fostering professional collaboration and knowledge exchange, IFFA plays an important role in strengthening international relationships within the football ecosystem.
As a partner of Football Conference Baku, IFFA contributes to connecting local football professionals with the global football market, creating valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration, and the development of international football business relations.
From Boardroom to Pitch: Governing the Modern Transfer Market
Moderator:
Tarkan Batgun — CEO / Comparisonator
Speakers:
Dr. Mustafa Erogut — Former Vice President / Turkish Football Federation & Istanbul Başakşehir
Dr. Erkut Sogut — Managing Director / D.C. United
Isitan Gun — Former Chairman / Fortuna Sittard
Elchin Usub - Chairman of the Board / Shamakhi FC
A discussion on how transfer decisions are shaped across football’s leadership layers from boardroom strategy to on-pitch realities. The session explores governance, financial considerations, sporting priorities and legal frameworks influencing the modern transfer market.
Lunch Break
Lunch Break
AI & Data Revolution in Football
Moderator:
Dr. Erden Or — Coordinator / Acıbadem Sports Academy
Speakers:
Tarkan Batgun — CEO / Comparisonator
Aktuğ Sönmez - Sport Republic Türkiye Market Leader
Ilgar Verdikhanov - Lawyer / FIFA Licensed Football Agent / Data Specialist
Vasif Hashimov - Scout / QOLAT Sport Service & Foobtall Agency
A discussion on how artificial intelligence and data analytics are transforming football decision-making, from scouting and recruitment to player development and performance evaluation.
Presentation of SEA BREEZE ARENA
Presenter :
Sardar Salmanzada - President at FN Sports and Development
Tural Aliyev - Vice President at FN Sports and Development
Sea Breeze Arena is an upcoming modern football stadium project planned within the rapidly developing Sea Breeze coastal destination in Baku. The arena is expected to become one of the newest football infrastructures in Azerbaijan, reflecting the country's growing investment in sports, entertainment, and modern urban development.
According to recent reports, the stadium is expected to have a capacity of around 10,000 spectators and will serve as an important venue for football activities, youth development, and sporting events. The project is part of the broader Sea Breeze development, one of the largest lifestyle and tourism destinations on the Caspian coast.
The development of Sea Breeze Arena highlights the increasing focus on creating modern football infrastructure in the region while supporting the long-term growth of Azerbaijani football and sports culture.
Physical Demands of Modern Football
Moderator:
Dr. Erden Or — Coordinator / Acıbadem Sports Academy
Speakers:
Chris Barnes , MSc, MBA , FBASES - UEFA Performance Consultant
Prof. Dr. Türker Bıyıklı — Clinical Exercise Physiologist & Strength and Conditioning Coach
Ulian Goga - Physical Coach at FC Imishli / Azerbaijan Premier League Team
A discussion on the increasing physical and performance demands of modern football. The session explores conditioning, recovery strategies and workload management required to sustain elite performance in modern football.
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
Sustainability in Football
Moderator:
Said Baghirov PhD.c. - Founder at QOLAT Sport Service & Football Agency
Speakers:
Shabnam Ayyubova - Lead Specialist in Social & Enviromental Sustainability at AFFA
Gulnar Mastanova - AccessibAll Access Captain / Sports Communications Specialist
Maryam Malikova - International Relations and Marketing Director of DIFAI FC / President at Jaguar LLC
Sustainability in Football refers to building a game that is environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable for the future. It includes reducing carbon impact, promoting community engagement, and ensuring long-term stability of clubs and organizations.
At Football Conference Baku, a dedicated session on Sustainability in Football will bring together experts to discuss how the game can evolve responsibly while creating lasting value for both society and the football industry.
Closing Ceremony
Closing Ceremony
