FIFPRO member unions to gather in Panama for 2026 General Assembly

• FIFPRO member unions from around the world will meet in Panama City, Panama, from 17-19 November for the 2026 FIFPRO General Assembly
• FIFA will be among the football stakeholders attending, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with FIFPRO in June
• A panel will look ahead to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, while the FIFPRO Merit Awards and Union Impact Award will recognise the work of players and their unions

FIFPRO member unions will gather in Panama City on 17-19 November for the 2026 FIFPRO General Assembly, hosted by Panamanian players’ union AFUTPA.

The annual gathering will give unions the opportunity to review the past year and agree on shared priorities. The event will also serve as a touchpoint to collaborate with FIFA and other football stakeholders on how they can work together to improve conditions for professional footballers.

“It is an honour for AFUTPA to welcome everyone to our country and to share this General Assembly with you,” said Juan Ramon Solis, executive director of AFUTPA and FIFPRO Central and North America President.

AFUTPA is one of five member unions in FIFPRO Central and North America. The 2026 event will mark the first time in 10 years that the FIFPRO General Assembly returns to the region.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to strengthen our ties and continue working together for the rights and dignity of players,” said Solis.

Turning the FIFA-FIFPRO agreement into action

Among the football stakeholders attending will be a delegation from FIFA, which will take part in the General Assembly as a guest of FIFPRO. Its participation will give FIFPRO member unions the opportunity to hear directly from FIFA following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June.

The agreement established a Global Social Dialogue Platform chaired by FIFA. FIFPRO represents players on the platform, alongside European Football Clubs and the World Leagues Association, which represent clubs and leagues respectively. The platform gives player representatives a direct role in reaching agreements on issues such as transfer regulations and standards for player welfare, including rest and recovery.

Cooperation at regional and national level is also part of that work. Ahead of the assembly, FIFA and FIFPRO called for closer cooperation between confederations and FIFPRO divisions, and for stronger dialogue between national federations and player unions.

Putting player experiences at the centre

From unpaid wages to abuse and fake agents, player case stories will illustrate the challenges unions face in protecting footballers. Member unions will share how they support players in their countries and draw on one another’s experience in workshops covering areas including legal affairs and women’s football.

National stakeholders will address the assembly on Thursday, when the programme will also feature a player panel with Uruguay’s 2010 World Cup captain Diego Lugano and Global Player Council members Ana Lucia Martinez (Guatemala) and Gaby Torres (Panama).

Discussions looking ahead to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 will also take place. The build-up to the tournament comes as FIFPRO and FIFA have committed to developing global minimum standards for women’s national teams as part of their agreement.

Recognising the work of players and unions

At the assembly member unions will vote on Wednesday for the winner of the 2026 Union Impact Award, which recognises a player union initiative that improves the lives of professional footballers. Get to know the nominees HERE.

The winners of the 2026 FIFPRO Merit Awards will be announced on Thursday at 18:00 CET. Presented since 2008, the awards recognise footballers who make a difference off the pitch across three categories: Player Activism, Player Impact and Player Voice.

Get to know the 11 nominees HERE.