FXC WORLD CUP 2025: LIGNANO SABBIADORO CROWNS MEXICO AND IGNITES A GLOBAL MOVEMENT

International FXC Federation
1 day ago
5 min read

Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy – December 2025

Even one week after the final siren, the buzz generated by the 2025 FXC World Cup continues to reverberate far beyond Italy’s borders. What unfolded in Lignano Sabbiadoro from December 4 to 7 was far more than a tournament: it was a statement of intent for a young sport determined to redefine competition, inclusion, and global engagement. The Adriatic town in Friuli Venezia Giulia offered the perfect setting for an event conceived from the outset to be sustainable, 100 percent inclusive, and uncompromisingly equal.

Six national teams from five countries and three continents (Italy, India, Mexico, Spain, USA and Catalunya) converged on Lignano Sabbiadoro, some after truly epic journeys. The Indian contingent, traveling from Manali at the foot of the Himalayas, endured a 45-hour trip to reach Italy taking 2 buses and 2 airplanes.

In total, 110 athletes—men and women from profoundly different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and life experiences—stood side by side, united by a shared passion for sport, for FXC, and for the opportunity to test themselves on a global stage. It was diversity in motion, and one of the defining images of this World Cup.

Before competition even began, FXC once again pushed the boundaries of modern sport. Athletes spent three intense days undergoing physical and psycho-behavioral testing as part of a new international scientific study conducted by a multidisciplinary team led by Prof. Pablo Tadeo and Prof. Jaime Gotoo and commissioned by the International FXC Organization Inc. This marks the second research project of its kind, following the recent publication of the first in the leading scientific “The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness”, further reinforcing FXC’s commitment to evidence-based performance, athlete development, and innovation.

The teams were officially introduced during a powerful and emotionally charged opening ceremony, masterfully conducted by Master of Ceremonies Angelo Munsel. The ritual turning of the discipline’s fire, the formal declaration of the World Cup’s opening by International FXC Organization’s Chairman Fabiola Lopez Rivera, and the world premiere of the FXC Anthem “Pass It On” set the tone for the days to come. The anthem—written by Andrew Whelan (lyrics) and Gianluca Cucchiara (music), and produced by Max Bartoli, Fabiola Lopez Rivera, and Gianluca Cucchiara—instantly became the emotional heartbeat of the event.

Behind this complex and ambitious production stood an extraordinary collective effort. The 2025 FXC World Cup was made possible by the support of 4 production companies led by MaXaM Productions and by 26 sponsors, whose commitment and trust elevated the event to a new organizational and technical level. Among them, Waterproofing Italia, technical partner of the International FXC Organization deserves special praise for once again delivering a state-of-the-art FXC court, combining performance, safety, and sustainability, and confirming its role as a technical benchmark for the discipline. Equally pivotal was Technology Digital, Main Sponsor of the World Cup, whose contribution extended well beyond sponsorship, playing a strategic role in strengthening the event’s technological infrastructure, production quality, and global visibility, alongside the invaluable contribution of Mexico’s INDET (Instituto Nacional de Deportes de los Trabajadores), which has been a key supporter in promoting the FXC discipline throughout the Mexican Republic since 2019. Together with all partners involved, they did not merely support an event—they actively helped shape the future of FXC.

December 6 and 7 delivered relentless, high-intensity action on the court. The round-robin phase immediately defied expectations. Mexico asserted its dominance from the outset, finishing at the top of the standings. Close behind came the tournament’s first major revelation: India, whose fearless, disciplined performances stunned opponents and fans alike. On the other end of the spectrum came the shock exits of Italy and the heavily favored USA, the latter suffering a third crushing and humbling—defeat at the hands of Mexico.

As the tournament progressed, adaptability became the decisive factor. Overnight, the Spanish teams—Spain and Catalonia—analyzed footage deep into the night, meticulously studying Mexico’s tactics. The improvements were visible, but against the reigning champions, progress alone was not enough. In the first semifinal, Catalonia overcame only in the third game a super-charged Indian team that fought fiercely for every point and every possession. In the second semifinal, Spain attempted to impose its rhythm on Mexico, only to be overwhelmed in a one-sided contest that ended with the Mexicans winning by triple digits.

The final offered a higher-level, more competitive contest. Catalonia applied the lessons learned, playing with courage, intelligence, and tactical discipline. Yet Mexico proved unstoppable. Head coach Jaime Gotoo credited “eight months of hard work,” but what truly set his team apart was evident to anyone watching: an extraordinary unity. The Mexicans moved as a single organism, maximizing each player’s strengths and executing with collective precision unmatched in the tournament—living proof that 100 percent gender equality on the court is not only possible, but competitive, as their style of play made it nearly impossible to distinguish between men and women once the game was in motion.

Beyond medals and final standings, the 2025 FXC World Cup confirmed something even more powerful: the sport’s ability to generate tangible social impact. For many Fireballers, this was not only their first international competition, but their first journey outside their own state or region. Traveling to Italy—and for many, visiting Venice—meeting athletes from other countries, make friendships that will last a lifetime, was a life-changing experience that expanded horizons, reshaped aspirations, and demonstrated how sport can function as a tool for empowerment and social mobility.

That impact extended well beyond the athletes themselves and into the communities they represent. The scenes of celebration on their return—crowded streets, public welcomes, and collective expressions of pride—were echoed in the digital sphere. Social media became a powerful amplifier of this shared achievement: on social media celebratory posts supporting Team India and its athletes reached over three million views, generated thousands of comments, were shared thousands of times, and accumulated tens of thousands of likes. These numbers were not merely metrics, but one more evidence of FXC’s growing role as a catalyst for engagement, inspiration, and community cohesion.

The FXC spirit did not fade with the closing ceremony in Lignano Sabbiadoro. It traveled abroad with the athletes and took root. In Mexico, the champions were welcomed by citizens and institutions alike. In India, the bronze medalists were greeted for two days by thousands lining the streets, offering blessings and support in scenes that captured international attention and went viral across media platforms.

What happened in Lignano Sabbiadoro was not an endpoint, but a beginning. The success of the 2025 FXC World Cup has laid a solid foundation for the expansion of FXC in India, South East Asia, and beyond—confirming that this is not just a sport on the rise, but a global movement capable of changing lives, strengthening communities, and passing its fire on to the world.

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Recordings of the live broadcasts are available here in three languages (English, Spanish and Italian):

ENGLISH VERSION

December 6th, 2025:Opening Ceremony

https://www.youtube.com/live/rFog2_57i3c?si=rxWTdK1P97Ox2uNF

December 7th, 2025: Final and Awards Ceremony

https://www.youtube.com/live/lOmuqQxp-1g?si=YqQKNCYTREEaEZJW

December 7th, 2025: Semifinals

https://www.youtube.com/live/ELpl56S0yUM?si=lPyym74TG0RJt3tM

December 6th, 2025: Afternoon Matches - Preliminary Round

https://www.youtube.com/live/fGKXJW2pbY0?si=h-GsxQ03kVBKkxeC

December 6th, 2025: Morning Matches - Preliminary Round