2023 - NEW FIFA Football Agent Regulations

2023 - NEW FIFA Football Agent Regulations

Jan 15, 2023

Welcome to this special edition of Sport Mastermind industry insight, where we'll be discussing the recently approved FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR). These regulations have been put in place to provide further information and clarification on the application of the FFAR.

The world of football agents is a complex and ever-changing industry, and it's important to stay informed on the latest regulations and guidelines. The FFAR is a significant step forward in ensuring that agents are operating ethically and within the boundaries set by FIFA.
In this blog, we'll be delving deeper into the FFAR and discussing its key components, providing insight and analysis on what it means for the industry and for agents.
Whether you're a current football agent or considering becoming one, this article will provide valuable information to help you navigate the industry and succeed as an agent. So, let's dive in and explore the FIFA Football Agent Regulations together.

From Registering to Representing: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Football Agent

In this article, we'll be covering all the topics related to the FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR).


  • How do you obtain a football agent licence?
  • When is it possible to apply for a licence to act as a football agent?
  • What is the FIFA football agent exam?
  • How will member associations be involved in the exam?
  • How much does the FIFA licence fee cost and what does it cover?
  • What does it mean to have a licence issued by FIFA?
  • What does a football agent need to maintain their licence?
  • What is FIFA’s CPD programme?
  • What are the requirements to represent a minor?
  • What is the status of agents formerly licensed by FIFA or by a member association and what are the criteria governing the recognition of national licensing systems?


1. How do you obtain a football agent licence?


To obtain a licence to act as a football agent, a natural person (hereinafter the “Candidate”) must:

  • submit a complete application via the FIFA Agent Platform (hereinafter the “Agent Platform”) on agents.fifa.com;
  • comply with the eligibility requirements (cf. art. 5 of the FFAR);
  • successfully pass the football agent exam conducted by FIFA (cf. art. 6 of the FFAR); and
  • pay an annual fee to FIFA (cf. art. 7 of the FFAR).


The failure of a Candidate to satisfy any of the eligibility requirements will result in:

  • their being prohibited from sitting the FIFA football agent exam; and
  • their licence application being denied.


The FIFA general secretariat is responsible for investigating compliance with the eligibility requirements. In that regard, any Candidate who receives a notice requesting information from the FIFA general secretariat must cooperate in full by complying, upon reasonable notice, with requests for any documents, information or any other material of any nature held by it, as well as with requests to procure and provide any documents, information or any other material of any nature not held by the Candidate but which they are entitled to obtain.


Failure to comply with these requests from the FIFA general secretariat may lead to sanctions being imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. If requested by the FIFA general secretariat, documents (or excerpts) must be provided in English, French or Spanish.


In addition, each member association must assist FIFA in investigating any potential noncompliance with the eligibility requirements established under article 5 of the FFAR, by providing all relevant information at its disposal or requested by FIFA.

  • Notification of failure to satisfy the eligibility requirements will be made by the FIFA general secretariat. If no such notification is made, the Candidate may take the FIFA football agent exam.
  • This notification will be considered a final decision by the FIFA general secretariat for the purposes of article 57 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes.


2. When is it possible to apply for a licence to act as a football agent?

As from 9 January 2023, a natural person may apply for a licence to act as a football agent via the Agent Platform. However, the FIFA football agent exam will only be held periodically and applications to sit the exam will only be accepted during specific windows.

There will be two FIFA football agent exams in 2023. The following application deadlines will apply:

  • from 9 January 2023 to 15 March 2023 for the first FIFA football agent exam on the 19 April 2023
  • from 1 May 2023 to 31 July 2023 for second FIFA football agent exam on 20 September 2023


By way of example, if a natural person applies for a licence before or on 15 March 2023, they will be eligible to take the first FIFA football agent exam on 19 April 2023.

In 2024 and 2025, FIFA will hold two football agent exams each calendar year, in May and November. The following application deadlines will apply:

  • 31 March 2024/2025 for exam in May 2024/2025; and
  • 30 September 2024/2025 for exam in November 2024/2025.


As from 2026, FIFA will hold one football agent exam in May each year. Every year, the application deadline will be 31 March.

The exact dates of each exam will be made available on FIFA.com and the Agent Platform. The exam will be scheduled to take place on one day only.


3. What is the FIFA football agent exam?

The FIFA football agent exam will test Candidates’ knowledge of the FIFA regulations that govern the football transfer system, as well as relevant case studies.

The regulations are:

(i) FFAR;

(ii) FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players;

(iii) FIFA Statutes;

(iv) FIFA Code of Ethics;

(v) FIFA Disciplinary Code; and

(vi) FIFA Guardians: Child Safeguarding Toolkit.

Please note that additional FIFA regulations may be included in the exam by the FIFA general secretariat. Please always make sure to check the newest version of the study materials available in the Platform.


There is no formal educational requirement to take the exam nor are there exemptions based on a Candidate’s profession (e.g. for lawyers, accountants, former players or coaches). The only exemption from the exam will be given to:

  • (i) individuals formerly licensed as agents pursuant to the FIFA Players’ Agent Regulations (1991, 1995, 2001 or 2008 edition), as detailed below; and
  • (ii) individuals licensed in accordance with the national licensing systems governed by domestic national law of the territory of each member association, provided that such exemptions are approved by FIFA following a request by the relevant member association on the Agent Platform.


The exam will be held online in English, French and Spanish for all Candidates and the same database of questions will be used regardless of the testing venue. Each Candidate will receive a unique set of automatically generated questions from the FIFA database.


The following conditions apply to each exam (cf. art. 6 of the FFAR):

  • It will be invigilated by a member association.
  • It will be taken at a member association-approved venue.
  • Each Candidate must use their own personal computing device (e.g. laptop) and their own internet hotspot to complete the exam (no mobile phones allowed) in accordance with the Football Agent Exam Rules available on the Agent Platform.
  • It will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions (single or several answers may be correct) with each correct answer worth 5% of the total mark.
  • Each Candidate will take the exam individually. Candidates will be allowed to consult materials on the Agent Platform or their own materials (i.e. it will be an open book exam), but may not consult any other person (by any means) while taking the exam.
  • It will last 60 minutes and the pass mark will be 75%.


A Candidate fails an exam if:

  • they score a mark of 74% or lower;
  • they fail to attend;
  • the member association that invigilates the exam determines that the Candidate acted dishonestly when sitting it;
  • they fail to prove their identity to the relevant member association;
  • they fail to pay the fee to the relevant member association (if applicable); or
  • they fail to bring a working, compatible personal computing device and/or internet hotspot to the exam.


If a Candidate fails an exam, they may retake it on the next available date. If they were deemed to have acted dishonestly when sitting the exam or scored a mark of 74% or lower, they may request within five days of the relevant notification written reasons for their failure or a review of their exam result, respectively.

FIFA reserves the right to introduce a proctoring system to add credibility to the scoring of each Candidate, should it see fit to do so.

For further information regarding the exam, Candidates should study and comply with the exam rules that will be made available on the Agent Platform. A pilot/demonstration of the exam will be made available on the Agent Platform.


4. How will member associations be involved in the exam?

The exam will be delivered online at the premises of all member associations (or member association-approved premises if necessary for logistical reasons) and each member association will have to comply with the minimum level of testing requirements and standards prescribed by FIFA to allow Candidates to take the exam.


FIFA will provide the relevant training to member association staff, but the organisation of all local logistical and administrative duties in relation to the exam will be carried out by each respective member association, including, but not limited to:


  • providing an appropriate testing venue for the Candidates, subject to public health and safety limitations;
  • updating the relevant logistical information for the exam on the Agent Platform; • ensuring that the identity of each Candidate for the exam matches their application documentation;
  • overseeing the testing venue to ensure a fair, honest and transparent testing procedure;
  • reporting any identified issues or concerns in relation to the Candidates and the exam to FIFA via the Agent Platform; and
  • (optional) providing a stable wireless internet connection to Candidates voiding Candidates’ requirement to provide a personal hotspot and specifying that on the Agent Platform.


Please note that Candidates wishing to take the exam will be free to choose a testing venue from a number of locations worldwide.


5. How much does the FIFA licence fee cost and what does it cover?

The annual licence fee to be paid to FIFA is USD 600, due by 30 September each year, as stipulated on the Agent Platform. It is to be paid electronically via the Agent Platform.


It covers the full licence fee and ensures free access to the Agent Platform, FIFA’s continuing professional development (“CPD”) programme and the relevant dispute resolution procedures within the Agents Chamber of the Football Tribunal.


The member associations may not charge a football agent any registration fee, unless permitted to do so by national law.


6. What does it mean to have a licence issued by FIFA?

The licence issued by FIFA authorises a football agent to conduct football agent services anywhere in the world.


It is issued for an indefinite period, subject to ongoing licensing requirements (please see the next section) and is strictly personal and non-transferable.


7. What does a football agent need to maintain their licence?


In accordance with article 17 of the FFAR, football agents must:

  • meet the eligibility requirements at all times (cf. art. 5 of the FFAR);
  • pay the annual licence fee to FIFA within the deadline stipulated on the Agent Platform (article 7 of the FFAR); • comply with the CPD requirements (cf. art. 9 of the FFAR); and
  • comply with their reporting obligations (cf. art. 16 par. 2 and 4 of the FFAR).

If they fail to comply with these requirements, their licence will automatically be provisionally suspended.


8. What is FIFA’s CPD programme?

In line with FIFA’s commitment to ensure the quality of the services provided by football agents to their clients worldwide, FIFA has designed a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. The aim of the programme is to provide football agents with an in-depth analysis of the main regulatory and institutional topics and a hands-on approach to key aspects of agency in football that will ensure that they have the necessary level of professional expertise for the football transfer market.


FIFA’s CPD programme has several learning paths and courses on different topics relevant to football agents, which are all in digital format, accessible on a dedicated e-Learning platform via the Agent Platform, and included in the licence fee.


As set out in article 9 of the FFAR, to maintain their licence, a football agent must comply with the CPD requirements on an annual basis. In this regard, we would note the following: • A football agent must earn a minimum of 20 credits per CPD calendar year (hereinafter the “CPD Requirements”).

  • A CPD calendar year runs from 1 October to 30 September each year.>>>> • Football agents must comply with the CPD Requirements by 30 September of each year.
  • Each course will be assigned a certain number of credits depending on its complexity, length and relevance.
  • CPD credits are only awarded to the football agent if they complete the course and successfully pass an assessment at the end of each course (with a score of at least 80%).
  • CPD credits will be awarded and re-awarded by FIFA every October.
  • CPD credits earned in one calendar year may not be used in a different calendar year to meet the CPD Requirements.
  • A football agent may revisit learning paths and courses that they have already taken, even if they have achieved the respective CPD Requirements of that calendar year.
  • Every ten years, from the first CPD calendar year, the CPD Requirements will be reduced by 25% (e.g. in the 11th year as from the first CPD calendar year, the football agent must earn 15 credits, rather than 20).
  • If a football agent fails to meet the CPD Requirements, their licence will automatically be provisionally suspended.
  • If a football agent fails to comply with the CPD Requirements within 60 days of their licence being provisionally suspended, the licence will be automatically withdrawn.


9. What are the requirements to represent a minor, in Football?

Any approach to enter into, and/or any subsequent execution of any representation agreement with a minor or their legal guardian in relation to any football agent services will only be allowed six months before the minor reaches the age at which they may sign their first professional contract in accordance with the law applicable in the country or territory of the member association where the minor will be employed (cf. art. 13 par. 1 of the FFAR). A minor may only be approached after obtaining prior written consent from the minor’s legal guardian.


Furthermore, a football agent that wishes to represent a minor or a club in a transaction involving a minor must first successfully complete the mandatory designated CPD course on minors (cf. art. 13 par. 2 of the FFAR) that will be made available via the Agent Platform. They must then pass an assessment at the end of the course to gain the relevant accreditation.


Furthermore, they must comply with any requirement to represent a minor established by the applicable law in the country or territory of the member association where the minor will be employed.


After successfully completing the designated CPD course on minors, a football agent will gain accreditation to take part in transactions involving a minor for three years. Such accreditation can be renewed by retaking the designated CPD course.


Finally, a valid representation agreement needs to be co-signed by the minor’s legal guardian as provided by the law of the territory or country of the member association where the minor will be employed.


10. What is the status of agents formerly licensed by FIFA or by a member association and what are the criteria governing the recognition of national licensing systems?


As set out in article 23 of the FFAR, an individual formerly licensed as an agent pursuant to the FIFA Players’ Agent Regulations (1991, 1995, 2001 or 2008 edition) may be exempt from the FIFA football agent exam, subject to compliance with the relevant requirements established by the FFAR (hereinafter the “Legacy Football Agent”), in particular by submitting an application for a licence up to and including 30 September 2023.


The failure of a Legacy Football Agent to satisfy the relevant requirements will result in their licence application being denied.


The FIFA general secretariat is responsible for investigating compliance with those requirements. Any potential Legacy Football Agent that receives a notice requesting information from the FIFA general secretariat must cooperate in full by complying, upon reasonable notice, with requests for any documents, information or any other material of any nature held by it, as well as with requests to procure and provide any documents, information or any other material of any nature not held by the Legacy Football Agent but which they are entitled to obtain. Failure to comply with these requests from the FIFA general secretariat may lead to sanctions being imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. If requested by the FIFA general secretariat, a document (or an excerpt) must be provided in English, French or Spanish.


Each member association must assist FIFA in investigating any potential non-compliance with the relevant requirements established under article 23 of the FFAR by providing all relevant information at its disposal or requested by FIFA.


Notification of a failure to satisfy the requirements will be considered a final decision by the FIFA general secretariat for the purposes of article 57 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes.


If a Legacy Football Agent meets the relevant conditions, they will be issued a licence in accordance with article 8 of the FFAR. They will subsequently be subject to the ongoing licensing requirements set out in the FFAR (cf. art 17 of the FFAR), with the exception that they will be required to earn 40 credits per CPD calendar year for five years (hereinafter the “Legacy CPD Requirements”) as from October. Once those five years have elapsed, they will be subjected to the CPD Requirements like any other football agent. All the remaining CPD conditions set out above will apply.


In addition, in countries or territories where national law for licensing sports agents exists for services equivalent or similar to football agent services, such licensing systems may be recognised by FIFA subject to the fulfilment of conditions established in article 24 of the FFAR. If that is the case, any person licensed to perform services equivalent to football agent services in those countries or territories may be exempt from the FIFA football agent exam and be issued a licence, subject to compliance with the relevant requirements established by the FFAR (“National Law Football Agent”). They will also subsequently be subject to the Legacy CPD Requirements for five years as from October of that calendar year. Once those five years have elapsed, they will be subjected to the CPD Requirements like any other football agent. All the remaining CPD conditions set out above will apply.