Lausanne, Switzerland – 4 February 2026: The International World Games Association (IWGA) today announced the list of candidates standing for election to the IWGA Executive Committee (ExCo) for the 2026–2030 term. The elections will take place during the IWGA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 25 April 2026 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The ExCo elections represent a key governance milestone for the Association, as IWGA Members will elect the leadership team that will guide the organisation through the next four-year cycle, including preparations of The World Games 2029, future editions, several editions of The World Games Series and continued collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and major stakeholders of the global sport movement.
Candidates for the IWGA Executive Committee 2026–2030
(Listed in alphabetical order)
President (1 position)
- Anna Arzhanova, President – World Underwater Federation (CMAS)
- Lukas Hinder, Honorary President – World DanceSport Federation (WDSF)
Vice-President (1 position)
- Jan Fransoo, Honorary President – International Korfball Federation (IKF)
- Thomas Konietzko, President – International Canoe Federation (ICF)
Treasurer (1 position)
- John Liljelund, Secretary General – International Floorball Federation (IFF)
Members (4 positions)
- Anna Arzhanova, President – World Underwater Federation (CMAS), if not elected as President
- Jan Fransoo, Honorary President – International Korfball Federation (IKF), if not elected as Vice-President
- John Liljelund, Secretary General – International Floorball Federation (IFF), if not elected as Treasurer
- Espen Lund, Vice President – World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO)
- José Antonio Perez Priego, President – International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF)
- Robert “Nob” Rauch, President – World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF)
- Joachim Thumfart, Director General – Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF)
- Joern Verleger, Honorary Executive Director – International Fistball Association (IFA)
All candidates have been vetted and comply with the provisions set out in the IWGA Constitution.
The AGM in Lausanne will also mark the conclusion of José Perurena’s third and final term as IWGA President, bringing to an end 12 years of service in the role after his initial election in 2014.
A former elite Canoe Sprint athlete, Perurena represented Spain at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. Following his competitive career, he held numerous leadership roles within the Spanish Canoe Federation and the International Canoe Federation (ICF), including serving as ICF President from 2008 to 2021 and as a Member of the International Olympic Committee (2011–2019).
Reflecting on the upcoming transition, President Perurena said:
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the IWGA for more than a decade, alongside dedicated colleagues and committed Member Federations. The World Games have continued to grow in visibility, credibility and institutional strength.”
“The IWGA Annual General Meeting is more than a statutory moment. It is an opportunity to reaffirm the role of the IWGA within the international sports ecosystem, our governance values, and our long-term vision for The World Games as a platform for the sports of tomorrow.”
“I am confident that the next Executive Committee will build on these foundations to further position our event within the global sports movement and establish our flagship event as a unique platform for emerging sports, innovation and international collaboration.”
The newly elected Executive Committee will follow the conclusion of the AGM and will serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2030. The new Committee will first gather on 25 May during the SportAccord Convention in Baku, Azerbaijan.