FIFA and FIFPRO have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that promises to reshape global football governance, establishing a new framework for player representation and social dialogue across the professional game.
The agreement, which will remain in force until December 31, 2031, marks a significant turning point in the relationship between world football’s governing body and the global players’ union. It creates a structured mechanism through which players, clubs, leagues and football authorities will collaborate on key regulatory and employment matters affecting the sport.
Central to the agreement is the creation of a Global Social Dialogue Platform for professional football, chaired and administered by FIFA. The platform will bring together employers, represented by clubs and leagues, and employees, represented by players, alongside participation from football’s continental confederations.
Under the new framework, FIFPRO is formally recognised as the global social partner representing professional footballers, while the World Leagues Association (WLA) and European Football Clubs (EFC) will represent leagues and clubs, respectively. The platform is expected to become the primary forum for discussions surrounding player welfare, employment conditions, health and safety standards, fixture scheduling and reforms to football’s international transfer system.
The agreement also grants players a more formal voice in football’s decision-making structures, reflecting a broader commitment to stakeholder representation within the sport’s governance model.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “This MoU marks a new era in FIFA’s relationship with FIFPRO. Players shape the game we all love, and we must ensure their protection and well-being. That is why we have jointly created a sustainable pathway to ensure that decisions directly affecting them are based on a collective process anchored in social dialogue. This is what modern governance is about, and we are proud to be leading by example.”
FIFPRO President Sergio Marchi shared, “This agreement represents an important step forward for football. Ensuring that players and their representatives have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their careers is not only beneficial for footballers but for the game as a whole. As a global organisation, we remain mindful that many players around the world continue to face very different realities and need stronger protections and support. We look forward to continuing this work together for the benefit of players and football.”
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström added, “We are very proud to announce this MoU with FIFPRO on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2026. We have set ourselves ambitious goals and are fully committed to implementing the agreement jointly with our partners at FIFPRO. This new partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when there is a shared commitment to finding mutually acceptable solutions. In particular, the creation of a Global Social Dialogue Platform is a notable achievement, and we look forward to launching it with FIFPRO and the other social dialogue partners at the earliest opportunity.”
FIFPRO Board member and FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier continued, “This agreement is a positive step forward for football and demonstrates that social dialogue can deliver solutions that benefit the game as a whole. The actions taken by players and their unions were never about confrontation, but about promoting a decision-making framework that gives players and their representatives a meaningful voice. In light of this progress, FIFPRO is withdrawing all existing claims against FIFA.”
Beyond governance reforms, the agreement delivers several tangible commitments aimed at strengthening player protections worldwide. FIFA and FIFPRO will jointly address concerns surrounding fixture congestion, player workload management and mandatory rest periods as football’s calendar continues to expand through new international and club competitions.
The organisations have also committed to establishing a US$20 million player support fund between 2026 and 2029 to assist professional footballers affected by unpaid wages, a longstanding issue across several football markets.
In addition, FIFA and FIFPRO will collaborate on the development of global minimum standards for women’s national team players, supporting ongoing efforts to improve working conditions and accelerate the professionalisation of the women’s game.
Together, the organisations have positioned the agreement as the foundation for a more collaborative, transparent and inclusive era of football governance, one in which players will play a more direct role in determining the future direction of the sport.
