The reforms also introduce a notable change for younger talents, allowing clubs to sign players under the age of 18 to five-year contracts, moving away from the previous three-year limit. However, this is subject to strict conditions: the player must have been registered with the club for a specific period prior to signing, the contract must meet certain salary requirements, and clubs are limited to a set number of these long-term youth deals per season.
To oversee the health of the game, a new Global Social Dialogue Platform has been established between FIFA, FIFPro, the World Leagues Association (WLA), and the European Club Association (ECA). This body will focus on the welfare of players, including occupational health and safety standards, as well as specific provisions for pregnancy, adoption, and family leave. Decisions within this platform are intended to be reached by unanimous consensus before being implemented into FIFA’s regulatory framework.
Crucially, this regulatory overhaul marks the end of a period of legal warfare between the governing body and the players’ union. As part of the agreement, FIFPro and its member federations have agreed to withdraw all pending lawsuits and litigation against FIFA regarding the transfer system. This ensures that all parties now work under a unified structure that respects FIFA’s role as the global governing authority.
