FIFA announces the establishment of a new advisory forum for professional players aimed at enhancing player welfare and improving working conditions worldwide during a expanded meeting held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, on the sidelines of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2025™ final.
The meeting, which included representatives from 30 player unions from various continents, was attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, and several senior officials, along with members of the “Players’ Voice” committee and prominent football figures, including honorary captain George Weah and multiple champions from both women’s and men’s football.
During the meeting, it was agreed to establish the FIFA Professional Players Advisory Forum as a permanent body dedicated to advocating for the collective interests of players in different countries and strengthening communication between FIFA and national unions.
FIFA also announced the creation of a special fund for professional players valued at $20 million for the period from 2026 to 2029, aimed at providing financial support to players who have been unable to receive their dues due to the financial difficulties faced by their clubs.
Regarding the organizational and physical aspects of players, the forum recommended several fundamental principles to ensure their comfort, including:
– A minimum of 72 hours rest between matches,
– An annual leave of at least 21 days between seasons,
– A weekly day of rest,
– Consideration of long travel circumstances and climate when scheduling international matches.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino affirmed that the federation “is committed to improving players’ conditions globally through practical and effective measures,” noting that the new forum “represents an important step toward empowering players and ensuring their participation in football decision-making.”
The agreement also stipulated representation of unions on several FIFA committees to ensure that players’ voices are heard in consultations at the highest levels, in addition to allocating a support mechanism to develop national unions according to good governance standards, focusing on programs for training young players and promoting women’s football.
The meeting concluded with the announcement of the formation of a joint legal working group between FIFA and the unions to address matters of regulations, player transfers, and minimum standards for their contracts. Additional meetings are expected in the coming months to continue consultations and implement the agreed steps.
