Message from the President

Dear friends,

I am sure that over the last few months, all of you, just as I have myself, have learned to value aspects of our everyday lives that we may previously have taken for granted. We have all realised that football is not the most important thing, and have been guided by the undisputable principle that health must come first.

These unprecedented times have also allowed us to take a step back and reflect on how to all work together to create a better football and a better society moving forward, and the international football community has shown great unity and solidarity.

As world football’s governing body, we want the game to be even better and truly global in the future, and the growth and success of club football are certainly an important part of that. We want as many players and clubs as possible on every continent to be able to compete at the very highest level, and to create such a competitive environment, it is important that we – FIFA – lead the way.  

In 2016, we took a major step by establishing our Professional Football Department as the central point of contact for stakeholders across the football world, and to support the further professionalisation of club football around the globe.

The department has set up dedicated services for stakeholders and led initiatives, such as the Club Licensing Programme, which are helping to improve standards on the pitch and in club administration.

Now, with the FIFA Professional Football Journal, the Professional Football Department can take the next step in providing support to football stakeholders everywhere: by sharing ideas, stimulating debate, highlighting best practices and bringing the global football community closer together.

Whether you are a football executive, a club administrator, a player or a fan, I hope you will find plenty of insight and new ideas in these pages, and that you enjoy this first edition of the FIFA Professional Football Journal.

Yours in football,

Gianni Infantino