FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, and other senior FIFA officials met with players’ unions from across the globe in Rabat, Morocco, for the FIFA Professional Players Consultation Forum.
The gathering took place on the same day as the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025.
The forum brought together representatives from 30 players’ unions, members of the Players’ Voice Panel led by honorary captain George Weah, as well as several football legends and world champions from both the men’s and women’s game.
This meeting followed the constructive exchanges held earlier in July in New York, USA, between FIFA and global players’ unions in the context of discussions around the FIFA Club World Cup.
“At FIFA, we remain committed to enhancing player welfare and working conditions worldwide through concrete and meaningful measures,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“Our substantial investment through the FIFA Fund for Professional Players and the creation of new platforms for dialogue show that we want to work with all who share the values of respect and progress. This is a real movement for the players, and we are proud of that.”
Key Outcomes from the Rabat Forum
Formal creation of the FIFA Professional Players Consultation Forum
The first key outcome of the meeting was the formal establishment of the forum as a permanent platform to advance the collective interests and welfare of professional players around the world.
FIFA Fund for Professional Players
FIFA will create and manage a fund worth USD 20 million for the 2026–2029 period. The fund will support professional players who are unable to recover outstanding salaries due to financial difficulties faced by their clubs. The regulations governing the fund will be developed in consultation with players’ unions.
Representation of players’ unions in FIFA bodies
Players’ union representatives will be included in several FIFA committees to ensure that the players’ perspective is represented in decision-making and consultation processes at the highest level.
Development support for players’ unions
FIFA will introduce a dedicated support mechanism for players’ unions that meet good governance standards. This support will help strengthen union operations, develop player education and welfare programmes, and promote the growth of women’s football.
Legal collaboration and reform
A joint working group between FIFA and the players’ unions will be established to address legal and regulatory issues. Topics will include the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, national dispute resolution mechanisms, and minimum standards for player contracts.
Further meetings between FIFA and players’ unions are scheduled in the coming months. These discussions will continue to shape collective action on player welfare, particularly within the framework of the International Match Calendar.
“FIFA wants to work with everyone who values open dialogue and shared progress,” Infantino added. “Our door remains open to all voices that put players first.”
