From five player associations to football's global union: How FIFPRO has been the voice of players for 60 years

60 years ago today, in Paris, France, representatives from the Dutch, English, French, Italian and Scottish player unions met with the aim of establishing an international player association to defend and advance the working rights of footballers.

At the former offices of French player union UNFP, the name FIFPRO was coined – the abbreviation deriving from Federation Internationale des Footballeurs Professionnels.

Today, FIFPRO is the global representative organisation for professional footballers, made up of over 70 national player unions from five continents and representing over 70,000 players worldwide. Take a look below at FIFPRO and players unions’ history and achievements:

Our History

FIFPRO Founded

1965

In December 1965, representatives of the French, Scottish, English, Italian and Dutch player unions meet in Paris, France to set up an international association for footballers.

First Congress

1966

Manchester United and England midfielder Bobby Charlton is appointed FIFPRO President. The first FIFPRO Congress takes place in London, England in June before the start of the 1966 World Cup.

Official Recognition

1968

FIFPRO is formally recognised in accordance with French legislation as an international association protecting the rights of professional footballers globally.

Star Players Engage

1972

FIFPRO announces intention to host a congress every year. Johan Cruyff attends the 1972 edition in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Television Rights

1985

During the 1985 FIFPRO Congress, a resolution is taken that footballers should have the right to a reasonable percentage of television rights profits.

Organisational Reforms

1994

The 1994 FIFPRO Congress decides for a reform of the organisation: a new board is formed, a financial structure set up and a permanent secretariat is established.

Jean-Marc Bosman Case

1995

Backed by FIFPRO, Jean-Marc Bosman changes professional football. The Bosman Ruling is passed, meaning out-of-contract players are free to sign with any club.

FIFA Recognition

1999

After the Bosman Ruling, FIFPRO is finally acknowledged by FIFA as the official representative of all professional footballers worldwide.

New Transfer Regulations

2001

FIFPRO helps shape the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players with FIFA and UEFA.

World 11

2005

The FIFPRO World 11 is established, enabling professional footballers across the globe to vote for their team of the year.

FIFPRO House

2013

FIFPRO's current head office in Hoofddorp, Netherlands opens its doors.

Women’s Football Committee

2014

FIFPRO provides women’s players with a platform to address their growing needs on a global level. Internationals such as Marta, Abby Wambach and Nadine Angerer support the initiative.

Women’s World 11

2016

For the first time, women’s footballers from around the globe vote for their Women’s World 11 to celebrate the leading players in the game.

Global Player Council Established

2020

The council gives players a direct role in shaping FIFPRO's policies and initiatives.

Maternity Rights

2022

Icelandic midfielder Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir becomes the first player to win a claim against a club through football's maternity regulations, which were created by FIFPRO..

Diarra Ruling

2024

The European Court of Justice in October 2024 rules in favour of Lassana Diarra after it found central parts of FIFA's transfer rules break European Union law.

08 History Congress Fifpro 500 — 1966: First FIFPRO Congress takes place

04 Bobby Charlton 2Pics — 1966: Bobby Charlton is appointed FIFPRO President

Cruyff FIFPRO — 1972: Johan Cruyff attends FIFPRO Congress

16 Television Rights — 1985: Resolution is taken that footballers should have the right to a percentage of television rights profits

18 Bosman 1995 2 — 1995: Backed by FIFPRO, Jean-Marc Bosman changes professional football. The Bosman Ruling is passed, meaning out-of-contract players are free to sign with any club

History Ronaldinho 1920 — 2005: The FIFPRO World 11 is established, enabling professional footballers across the globe to vote for their team of the year

44 History Drogba Opening — 2013: Didier Drogba unveils FIFPRO's head office in Hoofddorp, Netherlands

58 2015 Women 1 1920 — 2014: FIFPRO provides women’s players with a platform to address their growing needs on a global level

2015 WW11 6 Top Players Vote 1 1100 — 2016: For the first time, women’s footballers from around the globe vote for their Women’s World 11 to celebrate the leading players in the game

Final Article Image GPC — 2020: Global Player Council established that gives players a direct role in shaping FIFPRO's policies and initiatives.

Celebrating football’s pioneers

On its 60th anniversary, FIFPRO pays tribute to professional footballers who overcame adversity to achieve civil liberties and human rights, changing the lives of fellow players and inspiring future generations.

These trailblazers include Jean-Marc Bosman, who changed the footballing landscape for players. On 15 December 1995, the European Court of Justice ruled the Belgian player and other footballers can move between clubs as free agents once their contract had expired. Bosman’s achievement has benefited thousands of footballers around the world after FIFA subsequently had to amend its regulations.

Take a look at the story of football's pioneers below – including modern days examples such as Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir and Lassana Diarra.

FIFPRO Pioneers

Jimmy Hill (1961): Player Salary and Remuneration

George Eastham (1963): Domestic Freedom of Movement

Jean-Marc Bosman (1995): Freedom of Movement

USA's 99ers (1999): New Era of Women's Football

Zahir Belounis (2013): Human Rights

Afghanistan Women's National Team (2018): Fighting Abuse

Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir (2022): Maternity Rights

Lassana Diarra (2025): Freedom of Movement

FIFPRO World 11: Football’s global player choice award

The FIFPRO World 11 this year celebrates its 20th anniversary – two decades of recognising the world’s best footballers.

First introduced in 2005 by FIFPRO, the World 11 quickly became one of football’s most respected honours. What sets it apart from the many awards within football is that the winners are determined not by journalists, coaches or fans, but by football’s protagonists: the players.

Hundreds of thousands of professional footballers around the world have voted for their ultimate team of the season every year for the last 20 years.

During that time legends such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marta, Lucy Bronze, and Wendie Renard have earned repeated recognition, while new generations – from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham to Aitana Bonmati and Keira Walsh – continue to redefine excellence.

As FIFPRO marks this milestone, the message remains unchanged: football belongs to the players. And for twenty years, that voice has shaped the ultimate team in world football.

Explore World 11 legends through the years – from the inaugural side of 2005 to the present day.