Sunil Chhetri Becomes First Male Footballer Selected for FIFA Player Impact Programme

Former India captain Sunil Chhetri has earned another international distinction, becoming the first male footballer selected for the FIFA Player Impact Programme. 

His inclusion in the initiative’s second edition places Indian football in a global conversation about how players can use their influence to create meaningful social change beyond the pitch.

The programme, which began with a female-only pilot in 2025, has expanded its reach for the 2026 edition, bringing together 13 footballers from different countries. Chhetri is among 11 participants who gathered in Boston, Massachusetts, in June for a three-day Impact Accelerator Workshop designed to help players turn their personal values and ideas into practical community initiatives.

His selection marks a significant step in the programme’s evolution. While the inaugural edition focused exclusively on women footballers, the expanded cohort has opened the initiative to male participants, with Chhetri becoming its first representative.

Chhetri is part of a distinguished group of footballers that includes FIFA Women's World Cup winner Alexia Putellas of Spain, Canada's Jessie Fleming, England's Michelle Agyemang, Nigeria's Rasheedat Ajibade and Brazil's Gabi Nunes. The diversity of the cohort brings together players with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, united by a common objective: using the reach of football to address issues affecting communities around the world.

For Chhetri, the opportunity is also about learning from fellow participants and understanding how footballers can contribute outside their sporting responsibilities.

Speaking about his selection, the former India captain said: “I'm really happy that I got this opportunity. I cannot wait to put those lessons into practice. I don't think there is a difference between a man and a woman here. We are just meeting amazing personalities, some amazing top-class players from different countries.”

His remarks reflected the collaborative nature of the programme, which brings players together irrespective of gender or nationality to exchange experiences and explore opportunities for social impact.

The three-day Impact Accelerator Workshop in Boston was central to the second edition of the programme. Participants shared their personal journeys, identified causes that were important to them and explored how their individual ideas could be developed into actionable projects.

The workshop included group discussions, practical exercises and expert-led sessions. Rather than focusing solely on the visibility that professional footballers command, the sessions examined how players could use their voices, platforms and resources to create tangible outcomes.

The FIFA Player Impact Programme aims to provide participants with the skills and tailored guidance required to develop initiatives that can deliver a lasting impact within their communities.

Education, mental health and equitable access to sport are among the key areas being championed by the participants. These themes reflect the programme's broader ambition to connect the influence of footballers with social issues that extend beyond the boundaries of the game.

For Chhetri, participation offers an opportunity to bring his experience as one of Indian football's most prominent figures into an international platform focused on community development.

FIFA Emphasises Legacy Beyond the Pitch

FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis met the participants during the Boston workshop and highlighted the responsibility and opportunity that come with the reach enjoyed by modern footballers.

Ellis pointed to the traditional understanding of sporting legacy, built through memorable performances, decisive goals and defining moments on the pitch. However, she argued that players and coaches should also consider the difference they can make away from the game.

“As players and coaches, we spend our careers building a legacy through what we do on the pitch: the big save, the match-winning goal, the last-ditch tackle. But one of the questions we should all ask ourselves is: what legacy are we leaving beyond the game?” Ellis said.

She also highlighted how social media and other platforms have expanded the ability of players to connect with supporters, influence communities and create opportunities for others.

“Today we have a reach that extends far beyond 90 minutes. Through social media and the platforms available to us, we have an incredible opportunity not only to connect with fans, but to influence communities, create opportunities for others and drive meaningful change. That’s the kind of impact that lasts well beyond the final whistle,” she added.

Ellis's message underlined the central philosophy of the initiative: a footballer's influence need not be limited to performances, results or achievements during a playing career.

The participants will reconvene in London and through virtual sessions in December. During these engagements, they will present their respective social impact projects and share the progress made since the Boston workshop.

The next phase will provide an opportunity to move from discussions and planning towards the development and presentation of individual initiatives.

For Indian football, Chhetri's inclusion is significant because it gives the country representation in an international programme examining the wider social role of sport. His selection also reflects the potential for established athletes to use their public standing and experience to support causes that extend beyond their professional careers.

Chhetri has spent much of his career representing Indian football on the international stage. His participation in the FIFA Player Impact Programme now offers a different platform to contribute to the game’s broader social purpose.

The initiative's success will ultimately be measured by the projects participants develop and the difference those projects make within their communities. Chhetri's presence in the cohort ensures that Indian football will be part of that conversation.