Are the FIFA Football Agent Regulations Still in Force? (2026)
Updated 2026-07-04
Short answer
Parts of the FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) are suspended worldwide (FIFA Circular 1873, Dec 2023) pending EU court rulings. The exam and the licence requirement remain fully in force; the suspended parts are mainly the fee cap and service-fee rules.
The short version
Yes, the FFAR are still in force — but not in full. Since December 2023, FIFA has suspended specific contested provisions worldwide while European courts rule on them. The core of the framework, including the licence requirement and the exam, was never suspended and remains fully applicable.
How we got here
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the FFAR in July 2023, rejecting an initial legal challenge.
That wasn't the end of it: an English arbitration under the Rule K process and a Madrid court both set aside the commission fee cap specifically, on competition-law grounds.
In response, FIFA issued Circular 1873 on 30 December 2023, suspending the contested articles worldwide — pending the outcome of parallel proceedings at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Where the CJEU case stands
Two joined cases are before the CJEU: C-209/23 (RRC Sports) and C-428/23 (ROGON), both challenging aspects of the FFAR under EU competition law.
Advocate General Emiliou delivered his opinion on 15 May 2025 — broadly supportive of FIFA's authority to regulate the agent profession, while critical of the fee cap specifically. An Advocate General's opinion is influential but not binding: the CJEU's final judgment is still pending as of this writing.
| Area | Status |
|---|---|
| Licence requirement | Fully in force |
| FIFA agent exam | Fully in force |
| Commission / fee cap | Suspended worldwide since FIFA Circular 1873 (30 Dec 2023) |
| Certain service-fee rules | Suspended, pending CJEU ruling |
| CJEU final judgment (C-209/23, C-428/23) | Pending — Advocate General opinion issued 15 May 2025 |
What this means if you're preparing for the exam
The parts under legal dispute are commercial — fee caps and service-fee mechanics — not the licensing system itself. The exam content, the licence requirement, and the regulatory structure candidates are tested on remain applicable and aren't affected by the suspension.
This page will be updated the day the CJEU issues its final judgment in C-209/23 and C-428/23.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Are the FIFA Football Agent Regulations still valid in 2026?
Yes, for the most part. The licence requirement and the exam are fully in force. Specific provisions — mainly the commission fee cap — have been suspended worldwide since FIFA Circular 1873 (30 December 2023) pending EU litigation.
Why were parts of the FFAR suspended?
An English Rule K arbitration and a Madrid court both set aside the FFAR's fee cap on competition-law grounds. FIFA responded by suspending the contested provisions worldwide while the matter is litigated at the CJEU.
Has the CJEU ruled yet?
Not finally. Advocate General Emiliou issued his opinion on 15 May 2025 in cases C-209/23 and C-428/23 — broadly favourable to FIFA's regulatory authority but critical of the fee cap. The Court's final judgment is still pending.
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