FIFPRO meets players from six national teams at SAFF Championship

• FIFPRO delivered its ‘Game Beyond the Game’ sessions to all six teams at the SAFF Championship 2026 in Dhaka, Bangladesh
• The sessions covered player rights, education, the risks posed by fake agents, online abuse, and where players can turn for support
• The visit gave FIFPRO a chance to hear directly from players about their experiences representing their countries in South Asia

FIFPRO met players from six national teams in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 5 to 7 November, helping them understand their rights as professional footballers and where to turn for support.

Building on a collaboration that began in 2024, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) invited FIFPRO to deliver its ‘Game Beyond the Game’ sessions to players from Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Pakistan during the SAFF Championship 2026.

India is the only one of the six participating countries with a player association. The sessions gave players across the tournament an opportunity to learn how player associations represent footballers and what support is available through FIFPRO’s global network.

The delegation included FIFPRO Asia/Oceania Secretary General Shoko Tsuji, FIFPRO Union & Player Relations Officer Paul McFarlane and FIFPRO Senior Legal Counsel Pascal Martens, alongside Siddhartha Bhattacharya, CEO of the Football Players Association of India.

Listening to players in South Asia

The sessions explored the importance of continuing education alongside a career in football, the risks posed by fake agents and the issue of online abuse. They also gave players space to share their experiences of representing their national teams, helping the delegation better understand the realities of playing international football in South Asia.

“The main purpose of the sessions was to empower players with knowledge of their rights and remind them that in addition to being football players, they are also workers and human beings with rights,” said Tsuji. “We wanted them to know that FIFPRO is here to listen and support them in any way we can.

“We left Dhaka with a much better understanding of players’ experiences in South Asia, as well as an even stronger sense of purpose and motivation to make a positive impact on their careers.” 

SAFF General Secretary Purushottam Kattel said the sessions gave players practical knowledge they could use throughout their careers.

“Football would not exist without its players, and their welfare, protection, and development must always remain a priority,” Kattel said. 

“We are confident that the session provided meaningful insights and practical knowledge to all participating players. We hope they will apply these learnings to support both their professional careers and personal wellbeing in the years ahead.”

Tsuji concluded: “We are incredibly grateful to SAFF for providing us with this opportunity, and to the players for their trust and willingness to share their experiences. We look forward to building on this visit and continuing our collaboration.”