FIFPRO asserts unified vision and reaffirms openness to negotiation with all major football stakeholders
LISBON: The 2025 FIFPRO General Assembly took place in Lisbon, Portugal on 18-20 November. This year’s event coincided with FIFPRO’s 60th anniversary, offering a moment to reflect on six decades of collective progress while looking collectively to the future
The General Assembly underlined the need for genuine dialogue across the football industry and reaffirmed FIFPRO’s readiness to negotiate with all stakeholders in processes that place players at the centre
Unity, long-term strategy and a collective vision for the future were central themes at the 2025 FIFPRO General Assembly, which took place on 18-20 November in Lisbon, Portugal. Player unions from across the globe convened for three days of collaboration, discussion and planning in an event that marked FIFPRO’s 60th anniversary.
As the elected and internationally recognised representatives of professional footballers, member unions reiterated their dedication to addressing the evolving workplace needs of both men’s and women’s players.
Player unions also underscored a clear expectation for the wider industry: reforms and decisions that affect footballers must involve those with the legitimate mandate to represent them. FIFPRO reiterated its willingness to engage constructively with all governing bodies and competition organisers – including FIFA, confederations, leagues, clubs and other relevant stakeholders – always with the interests of players at the centre of the process.
Now in the first year of this new leadership chapter, reflecting on unions’ collective strength for players, FIFPRO President Sergio Marchi said: “The message of unity is the message that must exist among all footballers: that it’s better to do it together. The union is important because it quickly understands the industry; the union supports and drives the industry, tries to improve it.
“I cannot imagine football without a union because it would be a dehumanised sport. The union cares for human beings, protects athletes and helps the industry to expand.
“That’s why we must ensure all sectors of football – and the footballers at the centre – try to reach an agreement, try to listen to each other, and draw the best conclusions so that football continues to move forward.”
Transparency
As part of FIFPRO’s commitment to transparency and constructive dialogue in football, the General Assembly opened its doors to multiple stakeholders including representatives from the Portuguese government, league, federation, FIFA, UEFA, IFAB, WLA, EFC and more.
“Why is transparency important for FIFPRO? We have nothing to hide; we’re an open house,” said FIFPRO Secretary General Alex Phillips.
“We’ve introduced a much greater degree of transparency with stakeholders coming from all different types of organisations: FIFA, confederations, leagues, clubs, fans, other sports, government.
“We hope to improve by having them here, by listening to their observations and different views, how they can see things slightly differently, which can help us to understand them better.”
Player voice and presence
Players were also in attendance, including Djurgardens midfielder and 79-time Finland international Rasmus Schuller, who is a member of FIFPRO’s Global Player Council.
Other players present included FIFPRO Player Voice winner Will Vaulks (Oxford United and Wales) and FIFPRO Player Impact winner Lena Goetsch (FC Fleury).
Both players were presented their awards by Samir Arab, the Maltese footballer who brought match-fixers to justice. Arab also presented French player association UNFP with the 2025 Union Impact Award.
Celebrating history while looking to the future
The General Assembly returned to Europe for the first time since Paris 2021, with Portuguese capital Lisbon providing the setting this time around.
Joaquim Evangelista, president of Portuguese player union SJPF and FIFPRO global board member, expressed his joy about hosting the global player community in Lisbon, noting the significance of welcoming the Congress to Portugal in a year celebrating FIFPRO’s 60th anniversary.
“The 60th anniversary of FIFPRO is an important mark in our history” he said. “More than ever the unions are united, and the Congress is also important because we need to send a strong message to the stakeholders and to the players.”
Honorary membership was presented to former FIFPRO Secretary General Theo van Seggelen for his incredible contribution to the organisation and supporting players worldwide, following a successful career of more than three decades with the international player union.
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