FIFA unveils leadership programmes for football stakeholders
FIFA has opened applications for two leadership programmes aimed at equipping club executives, professional players and coaches with management skills needed to shape football beyond the pitch.
The football governing body announced the fourth edition of its FIFA Diploma in Club Management and the second edition of the FIFA Players Executive Programme, with both 18-month programmes scheduled to run from November 2026 to April 2028.
Abimbola Joseph
FIFA has opened applications for two leadership programmes aimed at equipping club executives, professional players and coaches with management skills needed to shape football beyond the pitch.
The football governing body announced the fourth edition of its FIFA Diploma in Club Management and the second edition of the FIFA Players Executive Programme, with both 18-month programmes scheduled to run from November 2026 to April 2028.
The initiatives will combine online learning with optional face-to-face sessions, club visits and practical behind-the-scenes experiences at clubs around the world.
FIFA Director of Professional Football Relations and Development, Ornella Desirée Bellia, said the programmes reflected the organisation’s commitment to strengthening the capabilities of people responsible for the development and administration of the game.
“The FIFA Diploma in Club Management and the FIFA Players Executive Programme reflect our commitment to supporting the key stakeholders of the game,” Bellia said.
She said the programmes would create opportunities for participants to share knowledge and develop skills that could support careers both within and beyond football.
“Through knowledge-sharing, practical learning and a truly global network, we aim to equip club executives, players and coaches with the tools to continue driving the professionalisation and growth of the game,” she added.
The FIFA Diploma in Club Management is designed for club executives, as well as former international players and coaches who have moved into managerial roles.
Its curriculum covers leadership and management, governance and legal affairs, finance, marketing and communications, club operations and stadium management, as well as sporting strategy and youth academies.
Graduates and their clubs will also become part of the FIFA Club Management Network, providing a platform for exchanging ideas and best practices with football professionals worldwide.
The FIFA Players Executive Programme, meanwhile, targets current and retired professional players and coaches preparing to transition into leadership and executive roles.
The programme focuses on five areas: football management; physical and mental well-being; financial planning; personal branding and communication; and philanthropy.
FIFA Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer, Gelson Fernandes, said stronger leadership at club level was essential to the continued development of the sport.
“The development of football requires a collective approach, and for that we need strong and committed clubs, led by capable administrators with the right experience and ambition,” Fernandes said.
He also stressed the importance of keeping former players involved in football administration after their playing careers.
“Players are at the heart of the game, and we must do everything in our power to keep as many of them as possible involved in football beyond their playing careers. The game needs their experience, their knowledge and their perspective,” he said.
FIFA said previous editions of the programmes had built a global alumni network comprising participants from 57 nationalities and 155 clubs across 55 countries, with all six continental confederations represented.
The new editions are expected to further strengthen the pool of football professionals equipped to take on leadership responsibilities in clubs and contribute to the game’s development after their playing careers.
