Victor Wanyama lands new job at FIFPRO

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has been named as one of 37 football players around the world, who will form a newly launched FIFPRO Global Player Council (GPC) intended to ensure player voices are central to decisions shaping the future of the game.

Wanyama, who is currently unattached, will join hands with other active players with international experience to speak directly on matters affecting their careers, and ensure perspectives from both men’s and women’s football across different continents and competitions are heard.

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First launched in 2019, the GPC provides a platform for council members to closely engage with domestic player unions, ensuring their representation at the global level is grounded in the support and guidance of their national associations.

Wanyama, the only Kenyan on the list, will sit in the council alongside other high-profile names, including 2022 FIFA World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, FIFA Women’s World Cup winner and Olympic champion Crystal Dunn, five-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner Lucy Bronze, Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo.

According to FIFPRO, which is the worldwide representative organisation for the majority of professional footballers, Wanyama and company will also help weigh in on key matters affecting the present game.

Among the player-centric issues they will support FIFPRO and its national associations include: the international match calendar, employment standards, player data, and social media abuse.

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The voice of the council, as per a Tuesday, 30 September statement by FIFPRO, will strengthen national player unions - mainly acting for players domestically - in their capacity to address issues at the international level.

The council will have a substantial number of other African players, including: AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, Wolves midfielder Marshall Munetsi, Mamelodi Sundowns defender Terrence Mashego, Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji, Roberto Lopes of Cape Verde, and Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade.

“All of these players have demonstrated leadership on and off the pitch, and we’re proud to have them as members of FIFPRO’s Global Player Council,” FIFPRO Secretary General Alex Phillips said.

“Footballers hold the power to shape their industry for the better. We thank these players for devoting their time and effort to advocating and defending the rights of their colleagues with such passion and courage."

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