FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Secretary General Mattias Grafström, and other senior FIFA officials held a landmark meeting with representatives from players’ unions worldwide during the FIFA Professional Players Consultation Forum in Rabat.
The gathering coincided with the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to fostering dialogue across all levels of the game.
The forum, attended by 30 players’ unions, also featured members of the Players’ Voice Panel, including honorary captain and football legend George Weah, as well as several former world champions and icons from both the men’s and women’s game.
Building on earlier discussions held in July in New York, this Rabat meeting reinforced FIFA’s intention to prioritize player welfare, fair representation, and improved working conditions across global football.
“At FIFA, we remain committed to enhancing player welfare and working conditions across the world through concrete and meaningful measures,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “This is a real movement for the players, and we are proud to be part of it.”
A key outcome of the meeting was the formal establishment of the FIFA Professional Players Consultation Forum, which will serve as a structured platform for advancing players’ collective interests and strengthening collaboration between FIFA and unions globally.
Among the major initiatives endorsed during the forum were:
1. Player Rest and Recovery
Participants reaffirmed key welfare standards, including:
• A minimum of 72 hours of rest between matches.
• A 21-day off-season break between campaigns.
• At least one rest day per week.
• Consideration for travel fatigue and extreme climatic conditions in scheduling.
These measures will continue to be refined in discussions surrounding the International Match Calendar.
2. FIFA Fund for Professional Players
FIFA announced the creation of a USD 20 million fund (2026–2029) to support players unable to recover unpaid wages due to club insolvency. The fund’s governance and regulations will be finalized in consultation with players’ unions.
3. Representation and Inclusion
Players’ union representatives will now have seats in several FIFA Committees, ensuring that players’ voices are directly involved in shaping football’s global governance.
4. Development Support for Players’ Unions
FIFA committed to introducing a support mechanism to help national players’ unions strengthen operations under strict governance principles. The initiative will prioritize training, education, and women’s football development.
5. Legal and Regulatory Framework
A joint working group between FIFA and players’ unions will be formed to review and advance legal issues, including the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, national dispute resolution mechanisms, and minimum contract standards.
The Rabat forum marks a significant step toward building a more inclusive and player-centered football ecosystem. Further meetings between FIFA and players’ unions are scheduled in the coming months to ensure continued progress and accountability.
