FIFA staff set guinness World record in Morocco for most multinational match

FIFA staff have etched their names into the Guinness World Records after organizing a football match that brought together the greatest number of nationalities ever to share the same pitch.

The historic game, held on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, featured 69 FIFA employees representing 69 different countries each taking to the field and playing for at least ten minutes.

Described by participants as a true celebration of global unity, the match showcased the essence of football as a universal language that connects people across borders and cultures.

“At the heart of it is the fact that we recognized we could do something that celebrates our diversity,” said Solomon Mudege, a Zimbabwean who heads FIFA’s Development Programs for Africa.

Record surpassed previous benchmark set in 2019

Both men and women participated, with continuous substitutions ensuring everyone had a chance to play and that all Guinness World Record criteria were met. Passports from around the world were displayed on the referee’s table, symbolizing the event’s powerful message that football knows no boundaries.

The record surpasses the previous benchmark set in 2019 by the UK-based group Equal Playing Field.

The game also coincided with FIFA’s growing presence in Morocco, where the organization is establishing a new regional hub ahead of the 2030 World Cup to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

The North African nation has already invested heavily in stadium renovations, transportation, and hospitality infrastructure in preparation for the global event.

“Football involves the entire world,” noted Fatou Camara, a Malian development manager at FIFA’s Africa office. “This match was a reminder that the sport truly unites us all.”

FIFA and global player unions unite in Rabat

Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, and several senior FIFA officials convened with player unions from around the world for a landmark meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on the day of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final.

The gathering, which brought together representatives from 30 players’ unions, marked a significant step forward in ongoing dialogue between FIFA and professional players. It followed the productive exchanges held earlier in July in New York, USA, in the context of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Also present were members of the Players’ Voice Panel, including honorary captain George Weah, along with celebrated legends and world champions from both men’s and women’s football underlining the event’s global significance.

“At FIFA, we remain committed to enhancing player welfare and working conditions across the world by implementing concrete and meaningful measures to improve football for the future,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

He added that FIFA’s commitment is demonstrated through substantial investments such as the FIFA Fund for Professional Players, as well as open dialogue with all unions genuinely interested in progress and respectful collaboration. “This is a real movement for the players,” Infantino emphasized, “and we are happy about that.”

A key outcome of the meeting was the formal establishment of the FIFA Professional Players Consultation Forum, designed to advance the collective interests of professional players globally.