FIFA Internship Programme for Member Associations

Application Deadline: 4 March 2026

Department: Administration

Employment Type: Praktikum

Location: Zurich

Description

As the organiser of some of the world’s largest and most iconic sporting events, FIFA continues to lead and innovate within the global sport and events industry.

By gaining experience within, the organisation, interns support FIFA’s mission while developing the skills required to contribute effectively to their respective Member Associations* (MAs).

The FIFA Internship Programme for Member Associations aims to strengthen capabilities across its MAs by training one intern per association over a three-month period. Interns will gain a holistic understanding of the football ecosystem, develop practical management skills, learn to navigate industry complexities, experience the global football landscape from FIFA’s perspective and build an international professional network.

This programme offers a unique opportunity to acquire hands-on experience in a global environment, enabling interns to apply strong professional practices upon returning to their MAs.

Programme information:

When: 15 September to 27 November 2026
Where: FIFA’s Zurich headquarters or Paris office, or a FIFA Regional Office
Duration: Up to 12 weeks
Deadline to apply: Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 6pm CET

*We accept a maximum of 5 applicants per Member Association.

THE POSITION

This programme offers interns the opportunity to gain practical experience in various functional areas at FIFA. Interns will work closely with their line manager and team members to contribute to real projects and initiatives, developing skills essential for success in their respective fields through meaningful assignments, networking opportunities and professional development sessions.

Focus areas

In 2026, the internship programme will cover the focus areas listed below. There are 20 available focus areas, of which candidates may apply for up to three. Successful candidates will be selected for only one focus area. In 2026, the internships will be available in the following functional areas at FIFA:

1. Accounting (Finance) – Zurich

You will learn about financial operations in a global organisation. You will develop skills in reviewing invoices, conducting reconciliation processes and navigating accounting tools such as SAP. This experience will build a foundation in corporate finance, compliance and financial data management.

2. Competitions – Zurich

You will learn how international football competitions are planned and delivered, gaining insight into both the preparation phase and on-site execution. You will observe key processes such as drafting regulations, organising draws and coordinating team and match operations. This experience will help you develop a strong understanding of the strategic and logistical elements that underpin major football tournaments.

3. End-User Experience (Technology) – Zurich
You will learn how digital collaboration tools support modern organisational workflows. You will develop skills in assessing the needs of end users, recognising opportunities for automation and analysing digital processes. This experience will strengthen your technical awareness and ability to support digital-transformation initiatives.

4. Event Controlling (Finance) – Zurich
You will learn how financial planning and reconciliation processes operate in relation to global tournaments. You will observe budgeting, cost reviews and financial-control mechanisms across multiple events. This experience will strengthen your understanding of sports finance and develop analytical skills relevant to large-scale event accounting.

5. Event Services – Zurich
You will learn how planning, digital tools and operational workflows are integrated to support FIFA tournaments. You will gain exposure to managing event requests, analysing workflows and understanding project-management systems. This experience will help you develop organisational, analytical and technology-driven skills in a fast-paced environment.

6. FIFA Museum – Zurich
You will learn how football’s heritage is preserved and transformed into engaging educational experiences. You will develop an understanding of museum-based initiatives, exhibitions and cultural storytelling. This experience will deepen your understanding of how a cultural institution connects sport, history and global audiences.

7. Football Research and Standards (Innovation) – Zurich
You will learn how innovation projects are shaped at the intersection of sport, science and technology. You will develop skills in research analysis, project coordination and crafting presentations for global audiences. This experience will encourage strategic thinking and expand your understanding of the innovation landscape within football.

8. Football Technology and Data (Innovation) – Zurich
You will learn how football data is collected, managed and evaluated during major tournaments. You will develop skills in analysing data feedback, drafting functional specifications and understanding digital platforms. This experience will enhance your analytical mindset and deepen their knowledge of football-data ecosystems.

9. Licensing and Retail – Zurich
You will learn how FIFA’s licensing ecosystem operates across commercial, legal and retail domains. You will develop insights into licensing processes, reporting, approvals and contract-related workflows. This experience will strengthen your understanding of commercial partnerships and global brand management.

10. MA Regional Team – Paris or Regional Office
You will learn how regional football development projects are administered and monitored. You will develop skills in documentation review, timeline tracking, data analysis and stakeholder communication. This experience will deepen your project-management abilities and broaden your understanding of regional football governance.

11. MA Services – Paris or Regional Office
You will learn how structures to support Member Associations are designed and implemented within FIFA. You will develop skills in reviewing documentation, using internal digital tools and understanding operational processes. This experience will help you build competencies in service delivery, organisational development and process improvement.

12. Medical – Zurich
You will learn how medical strategies and health initiatives are coordinated across global football. You will develop skills in stakeholder communication, medical-governance processes and digital-health messaging. This experience will enhance your understanding of sports-medicine administration within an international framework.

13. Olympics, Futsal and Beach Soccer – Zurich
You will learn how projects across futsal, beach soccer and the Olympic Football Tournaments are structured. You will develop skills in data preparation, drafting reports and understanding inspection and meeting procedures. This experience will broaden your knowledge of diverse football formats and strategic event planning.

14. People and Culture – Zurich
You will learn how organisational strategy, leadership development, recruitment processes and learning and development are implemented within FIFA. You will develop skills in talent management, employer branding and understanding People and Culture systems. This experience will strengthen your foundation in human resources and organisational development.

15. Products and Business Engagement (Technology) – Zurich
You will learn how FIFA’s portfolio of technology products is structured and managed. You will develop skills in navigating product-management tools and understanding workflow systems such as Jira, Confluence and Monday.com. This experience will build your technical and organisational capabilities within product-development cycles.

16. Safeguarding – Zurich
You will learn how safeguarding frameworks and operational plans are developed for global football. You will develop skills in cross-departmental coordination, documentation review and understanding educational programmes. This experience will help you build a strong foundation in integrity, welfare protection and institutional safeguarding.

17. Special Events and Entertainment – Zurich
You will learn how major FIFA events – from awards ceremonies to congresses – are conceptualised and executed. You will develop insights into event coordination, stakeholder engagement and operational planning. This experience will strengthen your ability to understand and contribute to complex international event environments.

18. Technical Leadership – Zurich
You will learn how global leadership development programmes are structured and delivered. You will develop skills in logistics planning, educational coordination and programme communication. This experience will provide a solid foundation in leadership development and international programme management.

19. Volunteer Management – Zurich
You will learn how volunteer programmes are structured and managed within a major sporting organisation. You will support communication activities, including content ideas for Instagram, assist with responding to volunteer enquiries and help to document programme processes. This experience will strengthen your organisational, communication and stakeholder-engagement skills within an event-driven environment.

20. Women’s Football Development – Zurich
You will learn how women’s football development programmes are managed and implemented. You will develop skills in programme administration, communication planning and stakeholder engagement. This experience will deepen your understanding of global development structures within women’s football.

YOUR PROFILE

We work hard at FIFA.
We are dedicated, ambitious and innovative.

And we respect our values. Always.

For all roles, we seek talented people with an entrepreneurial spirit and a global mindset.

The specific competencies we require for this internship are:

Currently employed by a FIFA Member Association; the programme is not intended for Presidents, General Secretaries or board members.
One to three years of professional experience, with degree-level education or equivalent expertise in the relevant discipline.
Demonstrated practical experience in the selected focus area.
Ability to work professionally and respect confidentiality, particularly when dealing with sensitive matters.
Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise tasks and work autonomously.
Effective written, verbal and visual communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions and adapt to evolving circumstances.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Fluency in English (for those who are not fluent in English, FIFA will offer a 60-day, one-to-one intensive English course online before the programme begins).

PERKS & BENEFITS

The biggest benefit of undertaking an internship at FIFA is the privilege of serving the beautiful game and creating something that matters.

We also offer some extra perks and benefits:

Learning and development: customised leadership workshops
Meals covered
Travel and accommodation assistance: a dedicated team will be on hand to support you with travel and temporary accommodation arrangements during the programme

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