The global football players’ union, FIFPRO, and the World Leagues Forum introduced three new labour initiatives on Friday.
These initiatives aim to enhance and safeguard playing conditions within the framework of the Global Labour Agreement.
This announcement coincides with concerns regarding increased player workload and precedes significant expansions in football competitions, including the 2026 World Cup’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams, the Champions League’s growth from 32 clubs to 36 in the 2024–25 season, and the introduction of a 32-team Club World Cup in 2025.
The three initiatives will address workplace safety, health, and fair-play management, focusing on addressing challenges related to how the rules of the game impact the overall player experience and incidents of discrimination during matches.
Each initiative will establish committees with an equal number of representatives nominated by the World League Forum (WLF) and FIFPRO.
“The new labour initiatives represent our joint commitment to address the development of our competition and employment conditions through collective dialogue,” FIFPRO president David Aganzo said in a statement.
“The new working structures are marking a start and we are eager to address other issues that are relevant for the growth of leagues and players together.”
In September 2022, the WLF, which represents professional football leagues across the world, and FIFPRO signed the GLA, an international bargaining framework that follows the fundamental principles and rights at work.