Cafu Supports Player Involvement in FIFA Decision-Making
Cafu has thrown his weight behind the structural changes at FIFA that have pulled players into the heart of football’s decision-making, describing a decade-long shift that has given current and former professionals a genuine say in how the sport is run.
Speaking in a social media address, the Brazil legend highlighted how the game’s main actors are no longer kept at arm’s length from the corridors of power, but are now embedded in committees, projects and working groups that shape global policy.
“Over the past 10 years, we have followed the work that FIFA and President Infantino have carried out to promote representation in football – something that had not happened before,” Cafu said. “Players and former players have been given a voice and a place at the table by taking part in committees, projects, and working groups.”
This is not the usual ceremonial role that ex-stars often occupy. Cafu stressed that the involvement of former players goes beyond handshakes, photo opportunities and ambassadorial titles. Their accumulated experience from years at the top level now feeds directly into the sport’s regulatory and developmental framework.
The tone from the former World Cup-winning captain was one of clear satisfaction. He underlined that the group of ex-professionals working with FIFA feel listened to by football’s central authority and see their fingerprints on major initiatives.
“Our opinions are heard, and many of the initiatives carried out in the name of the sport have been shaped by our reflections, ideas, plans, and participation,” he added.
For Cafu, the significance of this shift is not confined to boardrooms in Zurich. He tied the players’ growing influence to football’s wider social power, arguing that the game can be a tool for change well beyond the pitch.
“We know how football can transform lives, improve societies and expand opportunities to people all over the world; and we are committed to continue bringing that hope to them,” he said. “We remain on hand to support the great progress that our sport has experienced in the past decade, ensuring that it continues to reach and benefit people in all the countries where football is played around the world.”
The message was clear: this is not a temporary consultation, but a long-term partnership. The working groups that have been set up are expected to keep playing an active role in crafting future regulations and driving development projects, with former players staying involved as the game evolves.
At the heart of it lies a simple ambition. As football continues to expand, Cafu wants to see its impact stretch into every corner of the planet, with policies informed by those who know the game from the inside. For him and his peers, the task now is to ensure that growth truly reaches every country where a ball is kicked.
