Development & professionalisation of football

FIFA Forward is built to provide 360-degree, tailor-made support for football development in each of our member associations and the six confederations.

The FIFA Connect Programme helps member associations (MAs) register all their stakeholders in a systematic way and keep track of players, coaches and referees – wherever they are in the world.

The FIFA Series sees world football’s governing body support its member associations in organising international friendly matches comprising four national teams from different confederations in a single host country.

The FFP is a joint project between FIFA and FIFPRO, the World Players’ Union, established to provide financial support to players who have not been paid and have no chance of duly receiving the wages due to the extinction of their respective clubs.

The Professional Football Department organises several conferences, seminars and workshops to bring together industry experts, with the objective of sharing knowledge, best practices and the latest trends affecting the overall club football ecosystem.

Women’s football has grown exponentially in recent years. All over the world, girls and women are getting passionately involved in the game, both on and off the pitch, and using the sport to break down social barriers.

Now in its third edition, the FIFA Diploma in Club Management continues to equip talented and ambitious club executives with the latest practical know-how and industry insights, essential for successful football club management.

The workshops aim to inspire players to lead fulfilling lives, fostering a culture where mental well being is not only openly discussed but also robustly supported.

FIFA’s Professional Football Journal contains knowledge, insights and experience from across the football industry.

The Professional Football Landscape is the first-ever digital database providing a detailed visual overview of football and its worldwide components.

The Handbook reflects the new approach to club licensing that has been adopted by FIFA in close collaboration with the confederations.

The handbook is particularly intended for technical directors and senior technical department staff who face daily challenges related to a lack of financial and human resources.

The FIFA Professional Football Report 2023 provides further insight into club football across FIFA’s 211 member associations (MAs). A new approach was adopted for this year’s analysis, as the report shines a spotlight on each individual country.

Across the first two cycles of the FIFA Forward Development Programme, approximately USD 2.8 billion was made available for investment in our 211 member associations, as well as in the confederations and the various zonal/regional associations.

FIFA’s Global Competitive Balance Report breaks down the state of competitiveness in men’s domestic football competitions worldwide, as reflected in two key indicators: the number of recent champions and points differences in the final standings.

The FIFA Professional Football Report 2019 provides further insights into the ins and outs of club football across the 211 FIFA member associations.