Geneva, 8th of July, 2026
The Football Business Academy (The FBA) has reached a major milestone, announcing its 100th global partnership through a new strategic collaboration with FIFPRO, the global representative organization for professional football players.
More than a symbolic milestone, the partnership reflects The FBA’s continued ambition to bring every part of the football industry into the educational experience, this time through the organization representing the people at the very heart of the game: professional football players.
Under the partnership, selected FBA Master Candidates will have the opportunity to undertake internships and Student Business Projects with FIFPRO, contributing to real initiatives while gaining first-hand experience within one of football’s most influential international entities.
Since its foundation in 2017, The FBA has pioneered an educational model built around long-term partnerships with the football industry. Rather than limiting learning to the classroom, The FBA works directly with clubs, leagues, federations, governing bodies, and commercial stakeholders to provide students with practical experience while helping partners tackle real business challenges.
Today, that collaborative model spans 100 institutions across every major stakeholder group in world football.
The addition of FIFPRO carries particular significance. As the global voice of professional football players, the organization represents the very people at the heart of the game, reinforcing The FBA’s vision of building meaningful connections across every corner of the football industry.
“I am immensely proud to mark our 100th partnership with FIFPRO, the global voice of the players who give everything to our sport.
When we launched The FBA more than nine years ago, we introduced an innovative partnership model that encouraged the football industry to rethink its relationship with education. Today, together with FIFPRO, we take another important step forward by extending our impact to the very heart of football: the ecosystem of professional football players.
To our staff, alumni, candidates, partners, faculty and the global football family: this milestone belongs to all of us. With heartfelt gratitude – the best is yet to come!”
Kristian Dobrev, CEO, The Football Business Academy
“We are proud to partner with The FBA on an initiative that brings fresh thinking and new perspectives to FIFPRO. Students gain hands-on experience working on real challenges within our organization, while we benefit from new ideas and different ways of looking at the work we do.
It’s a collaboration that creates value for everyone involved and helps us continue to strengthen how we serve and represent professional footballers globally.”
Benjamin van den Broek, Director Union and Player Relations, FIFPRO.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing football through education, innovation and collaboration. By combining practical learning with meaningful industry engagement, The FBA and FIFPRO will create opportunities that benefit students while supporting the continued evolution of the professional game.
ABOUT FIFPRO
FIFPRO is the global representative organization for professional football players. Through its network of more than 70 national player unions, FIFPRO represents more than 70,000 players worldwide, protecting their rights, improving working conditions and promoting the sustainable development of professional football.
Follow FIFPRO on Linkedin, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
ABOUT THE FBA
Founded in Switzerland in 2017, The Football Business Academy (The FBA) is a global leader in football business education. Through its flagship Professional Master in Football Business, executive education programs and industry partnerships, The FBA develops current and future football leaders by combining academic excellence with practical industry experience.
Today, The FBA collaborates with more than 100 organizations across the football ecosystem, reinforcing its mission to accelerate the professionalization of football worldwide.
Ready to build your own connections across the football industry?
Applications for the September 2026 intake of The FBA’s Professional Master in Football Business are open until 15 August.
