2026 Union Impact Award: Get to know the nominees

• Seven player unions have been nominated for the 2026 FIFPRO Union Impact Award
• Initiatives from Chile, Finland, Kenya, Malta, Paraguay, Portugal and Ukraine are in contention
• The projects demonstrate how unions are protecting and empowering footballers at every stage of their careers

More than 70 player unions affiliated with FIFPRO are committed to improving the wellbeing of professional footballers worldwide. Through the Union Impact Award, FIFPRO honours those whose projects support their members and inspire fellow unions across the globe.

The seven nominees for the 2026 FIFPRO Union Impact Award show how player unions are responding to the real-life challenges footballers face. While each nominee has responded to a different challenge, together they offer a powerful reminder of what union impact truly means: being there for players when it matters most.

Chile: SIFUP – Casa del Bienestar

Chilean union SIFUP transformed its former headquarters in Nunoa into the Casa del Bienestar – a dedicated space offering free physical, psychological and social support to former footballers and professional women’s players.

The facility includes a gym, physiotherapy room and offices for women’s player association ANJUF and organisations representing former players. The initiative demonstrates that union support does not end when a footballer retires.

Finland: FPA Finland Mentoring Programme

With many young Finnish players facing loneliness and uncertainty after moving abroad, FPA Finland created a mentoring programme based on a simple principle: players supporting players.

The initiative connects young footballers with experienced current and former professionals. Eighteen players joined the 2025 pilot, with every respondent saying the programme was beneficial and that they would recommend it to others.

Kenya: KEFWA – Safe player transfers campaign

KEFWA launched a nationwide campaign to protect players from fake agents and fraudulent overseas opportunities.

The union provides education, contract guidance and help verifying potential transfers. It also helped two players return home after they were stranded in Indonesia and had previously supported another footballer in Malaysia. Those players are now sharing their experiences to help protect others.

Malta: MFPA – Centralised medical screening

MFPA introduced a consistent medical screening system for every club in Malta’s men’s second tier and women’s first tier.

More than 300 players were examined by qualified professionals under one centrally coordinated framework, a first for both competitions. The union also digitalised the administrative process and delivered educational sessions on player health, rights and personal development.

Paraguay: FAP – Casa del Futbolista

FAP opened the Casa del Futbolista in August 2026, fulfilling a long-held ambition to create a permanent home for Paraguay’s professional players.

The headquarters brings physical, psychological, legal and educational support under one roof. It also provides a private, independent setting where players can approach their union away from the club environment and access help during periods of injury, unemployment or professional difficulty.

Portugal: SJPF – Solidarity Fund

For 20 years, the SJPF Solidarity Fund has provided immediate financial help to current and former footballers experiencing exceptional hardship.

The fund has supported hundreds of men’s and women’s players facing eviction, food insecurity, healthcare costs and repatriation expenses. During that time, SJPF has distributed almost EUR 200,000 – offering a vital lifeline at moments when players’ lives or careers were at risk.

Ukraine: AUAPFP – Supporting women’s players during wartime

Despite the ongoing war, AUAPFP delivered anti-doping education to players and staff at every women’s top division club in Ukraine.

The union also staged the first All-Ukrainian Women in Football Forum, creating a national platform for discussions on employment rights, legal protection, gender equality and wartime challenges. The event included the Women’s Prime League Best XI awards, recognising players through a vote by their peers.

What happens next?

FIFPRO member associations will vote to select the winner of the 2026 Union Impact Award during the upcoming FIFPRO General Assembly in Panama on 17-19 November.