Becoming a football agent is no longer just about contacts and negotiation skills – it’s now a regulated profession. Under FIFA’s Football Agent Regulations (FFAR), anyone who wants to provide football agent services internationally needs to go through a defined licensing pathway, with eligibility checks, an exam, and ongoing compliance obligations.
Below is a practical, step-by-step walkthrough of the FIFA licensing process, the key dates for the 2026 exam edition, what the exam covers, and how to prepare.
1) Understand the regulatory framework (FFAR)
FIFA’s Football Agent Regulations (2026 edition) came into force on 1 January 2026. In practice, that means you need to follow FIFA’s licensing framework if you want to operate properly as an agent in the FIFA system.
FIFA runs the licensing process through the FIFA Agent Platform, where candidates submit applications, pay fees, book an exam session, and manage their licensing status.
2) The FIFA exam path – what you must complete
To obtain a licence via the FIFA Football Agent Exam pathway, a candidate must:
- Submit a complete licence application via the FIFA Agent Platform (including paying the exam fee and scheduling an exam session).
- Comply with the eligibility requirements.
- Complete the Pre-exam Readiness Check.
- Pass the FIFA Football Agent Exam.
- Pay an annual fee to FIFA
FIFA investigates compliance with eligibility requirements and can do so at any stage of the process.
3) Important dates – FIFA Football Agent Exam 2026 edition (CET)
- 20 January 2026 (00:00) – Opening of exam application window.
- 6 March 2026 (23:59) – Closure of exam application window.
- 29 March 2026 (23:59) – Final deadline for medical accommodation requests, and to change exam time slot, location and/or language.
- 14 April 2026 (23:59) – End of Pre-exam Readiness Check window.
- 28, 29 & 30 April 2026 (+5, 6 & 7 May 2026) – Exam days.
- 4 June 2026 (14:00) – Notification of exam results.
- 7 June 2026 (23:59) – End of exam review period
FIFA has also reduced the application period to 45 days and runs one exam edition per year.
4) What the FIFA Football Agent Exam looks like
- Duration: 60 minutes.
- Format: 20 multiple-choice questions.
- Pass mark: 75%. Purpose: tests knowledge of FIFA regulations and the football transfer system.
- Practical requirement: remote, candidates must have quite room, have their own laptop and internet connection, another device (phone) to record themselves and share the screen.
5) What you’ll be tested on (study scope)
Expect questions that require you to understand:
- the agent regulatory framework (FFAR).
- how transfers work under FIFA’s rules.
- ethical and disciplinary considerations.
- case-study style scenarios (how rules apply in real situations).
6) How competitive is it? (Why preparation matters)
Interest in becoming licensed has exploded. FIFA received 16,117 licensing applications in 2025 under the new exam format – the highest number in its history.
From the same reporting period:
- 9,148 candidates were scheduled.
- 7,745 actually attended their exam session.
- only 1,406 achieved the pass mark
The takeaway is simple: demand is massive, but passing is not automatic. Treat it like a real professional qualification, not a formality.
7) Special note if you want to represent minors
If you intend to participate in transactions involving minors, FIFA requires agents to complete a designated CPD course on minors before taking part in those transactions.
8) A practical prep plan (simple and realistic)
- Build the base (Week 1–2): read the study materials end-to-end, then re-read the sections that link to eligibility, representation agreements, transfer processes, disputes, ethics.
- Train for speed (Week 3–4): do timed practice (60 minutes) and get used to answering cleanly under pressure.
- Case thinking (Week 5): focus on scenario questions – “what happens if…” and “which rule applies…”.
- Final polish (Week 6): tighten weak areas, then run at least 2–3 full timed mock runs
Also, take the Pre-exam Readiness Check window seriously – technical mistakes can cost you an entire year.
Free webinar (JV Academy)
If you’re a parent, former player, coach, or football professional looking to understand the agent industry and the FIFA licence pathway, JV Academy hosts a free live training webinar that breaks down the process and what it really takes to do this properly.
JV Academy was founded by John Viola, who operates as an active football agent and consultant through 451 Football Consultancy while building a structured education platform to help the next generation of agents enter the industry – including a growing number of parents who want to represent or support their children the right way.
You can join the webinar on 11th February via this link.
