Victor Wanyama joins FIFPRO Global Player Council to shape future of world football

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has been appointed to the FIFPRO Global Player Council (GPC) for the 2025–27 term, joining an elite group of international footballers shaping policies that affect players’ careers worldwide.

The council gives active players a voice in key discussions on employment standards, the international match calendar, player welfare, online abuse, and other issues directly impacting their careers.

It also strengthens the work of national and regional player unions, ensuring that perspectives from both men’s and women’s football across different leagues are taken into account when major decisions are made.

Wanyama is one of eight African representatives on the council, alongside Zimbabwe’s Marshall Munetsi, Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade, Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji, Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo, Cape Verde’s Roberto Lopes, and South Africans Terrence Mashego and Jermaine Seoposenwe.

For the 34-year-old, the appointment is another milestone in his transition beyond playing. In August, he began a coaching course to prepare for life after football.

Intense learning

“It went well. It was two weeks of intense learning, and I’m still doing the courses. I just want to tick the boxes now so that when I finish my career, I can have choices, whether coaching or in football administration,” Wanyama said in an interview.

He added that while he has not committed fully to coaching, he wants to remain prepared for future opportunities.

“Anything that can help me be a better coach or director, I will do it. Maybe one day you’ll see me on the touchline,” he said.

Beyond his personal ambitions, Wanyama has invested in nurturing young talent in Kenya through his foundation and academy. Although the development of training pitches has faced delays due to soil challenges, work is ongoing, with plans to open a branch in Nairobi to expand the academy’s reach.

“We believe in good surfaces because they make players feel good and showcase their talent,” he said.

The revamped FIFPRO Global Player Council, launched in 2019, now brings together 37 players from around the world. Members include World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, US Women’s World Cup and Olympic champion Crystal Dunn, five-time Women’s Champions League winner Lucy Bronze, and national team captains such as Chris Wood, Jackson Irvine, Caroline Weir, Elena Linari, and Wataru Endo.

Demonstrated leadership

“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. 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,” FIFPRO Secretary-General Alex Phillips said.

Council members collaborate with their national player unions to ensure local representation informs global decisions.

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“Being part of FIFPRO’s Global Player Council gives me the opportunity to use my platform to shape the game for the better and ensure that the player voice is heard in football’s key decision-making,” said Jackson Irvine of Australia.

England and Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze added, “I’m in a position where I can help other people; sharing experiences with different people from all over the world is so valuable in promoting and improving our game. Being part of the Global Player Council has given me a lot in my career and helped me as well, so it was a no-brainer to be a part of it [again].”

Wanyama, who made his national team debut in 2007 at just 15, captained the Harambee Stars from 2013 and led them at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations—the team’s first AFCON appearance in 15 years.

He retired from international football in 2021 after more than 60 caps and seven goals, but remains one of Kenya’s most celebrated players.