Feature, Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics


Let’s hear it for Team Freight, say BIFA and Generation Logistics

[ June 11, 2026   //   ]

As the football World Cup got underway in Mexico, Canada and the US on 11 June, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) highlighted the often-overlooked role of the freight industry in making major global sporting events possible.

It described the tournament as not only a celebration of sport, but also a showcase for the global logistics industry, with everything depending upon highly coordinated international supply chains. Freight forwarders and logistics specialists are fundamental to making events of this scale possible, it said.

It added that major events place exceptional demands on transport infrastructure, customs procedures and supply chain resilience. Freight and logistics companies must navigate tight delivery schedules, complex cross-border regulations and heightened security requirements while ensuring goods arrive safely and on time.

It said that such events can also raise awareness of the broader economic importance of the freight sector, which underpins international trade and supports businesses across every industry sector.

BIFA director general, Steve Parker, speaking on 11 June declared: “Match day is just around the corner, but one of the most important ‘teams’ at the tournament won’t score a single goal. Long before the first whistle blows, logistics professionals have been working behind the scenes to move team merchandise, broadcasting equipment, hospitality supplies, medical equipment, retail products and so much more.

“Without the logistics team, there would be no World Cup.”

Generation Logistics, the UK initiative to find and engage talent in the industry, added that over one million Ibs of equipment will be moved throughout the tournament, using 5,000 vehicles an a million sq ft of warehouse space.

Programme director, Bethany Windsor, commented: “This is set to be the biggest World Cup in the tournament’s long history, with more teams playing and more nations hosting than ever before. The amount of equipment that needs to be moved in such a short space of time across a very large area is staggering.”

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