FIFA Guardians™
Safeguarding in Sport
Dear Learner, welcome to the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport educational programme. Please click the video below to hear my views on why safeguarding in football is essential.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
Millions of people around the world are passionate about football. No matter how they are involved in the game everyone has the right to enjoy football in a safe and supportive environment and in a culture of respect and understanding – especially the youngest members of the football family.
Start YOUR journey towards a safeguarding qualification by reading more about the courses below.
Why study these courses?
FIFA is working together with its Member Associations and Confederations to promote children’s wellbeing in football and develop a comprehensive approach to safeguarding best practice throughout the game.
You can learn about this work by studying these courses as a FIFA Learner, a member of the Global Football Community or as an Open Learner. In all three pathways you will benefit from:
Expert knowledge
Knowledge provided by experts in safeguarding.
Supporting your work
Applying key skills and ideas to your safeguarding role.
Achieving a qualification
Gaining digital badges for each course and a certificate once you complete all five courses.
Below, choose which one of the three pathways applies to you.
Who is a FIFA Learner?
You are a FIFA Learner if you are:
- Appointed by your Member Association (MA) as its lead Safeguarding Officer and your registration has been approved by FIFA.
- Committed to your own learning and development, including 72 hours of online learning (over two years), plus attendance at webinars and a FIFA Guardians residential workshop
If you are not a FIFA Learner, you can still benefit from all the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport courses by registering as a Global Football Community Learner or as an Open Learner.
Who is a FIFA Learner?
You are a FIFA Learner if you are:
- Appointed by your Member Association (MA) as its lead Safeguarding Officer and your registration has been approved by FIFA.
- Committed to your own learning and development, including 72 hours of online learning (over two years), plus attendance at webinars and a FIFA Guardians residential workshop
If you are not a FIFA Learner, you can still benefit from all the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport courses by registering as a Global Football Community Learner or as an Open Learner.
Who is a Global Football Community Learner?
You are a Global Football Community Learner if you work or volunteer anywhere in the world of football. FIFA strongly encourages and welcomes everyone in football, including all employees and volunteers of Member Associations and clubs (e.g. Presidents, Secretary-Generals, CEOs, safeguarding officers, coaches, physiotherapists and medical staff, referees, players, parents, volunteers), FIFA staff, and volunteers, to sign-up as a Global Football Community Learner. You will then complete Course 1, the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding Essentials, which takes only 90 minutes.
In addition to doing Course 1, you can also access the range of FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport courses as a Global Football Community Learner.
Open Learners
You are an Open Learner if you work, volunteer, support or play in activities other than football and want to learn more about safeguarding in sport. Whatever your interest in safeguarding you can benefit from these free FIFA courses. They are open to everybody, no matter what sport or sector you work in. Your first step is to complete Course 1, FIFA Guardians Safeguarding Essentials, which takes only 90 minutes.
In addition to doing Course 1, you can also access the range of FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport courses as an Open Learner.
Open Learners
You are an Open Learner if you work, volunteer, support or play in activities other than football and want to learn more about safeguarding in sport. Whatever your interest in safeguarding you can benefit from these free FIFA courses. They are open to everybody, no matter what sport or sector you work in. Your first step is to complete Course 1, FIFA Guardians Safeguarding Essentials, which takes only 90 minutes.
In addition to doing Course 1, you can also access the range of FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport courses as an Open Learner.