FIFA: creation of a Professional Players Consultation Forum with 30 players' unions, but not FIFPRO

FIFA brought together 30 players' unions in Rabat (MAR) on 08/11/2025 on the sidelines of the U17 Women's World Cup final to confirm "the creation of the FIFA Professional Players Consultation Forum as a group to advance the collective interests of professional players around the world," announced the International Federation on 09/11/2025.

This meeting "followed on from the constructive exchanges in July in New York (USA) between FIFA and players' unions in the context of the Club World Cup 2025," added the body.

Notably absent from both meetings was FIFPRO, which is in conflict with FIFA, especially regarding the scheduling of international matches. The organisation claims to be "made up of over 70 national player unions and representing over 70,000 players worldwide". FIFPRO therefore considers that the FIFA Professional Players Consultation Forum "did not involve a meaningful global representation of independent player unions that speak on behalf of players and are an integral part of labour negotiations."

The FIFA meeting was, however, an opportunity to approve several measures…