Gianni Infantino Warns of ‘Big Risk’ in Overseas Matches – But Could It Mean Big Opportunity for Football Jobs?
When FIFA president Gianni Infantino calls something a “big risk”, the industry listens. Speaking during the European Football Clubs (EFC) general assembly in Rome, Infantino described UEFA’s approval for LaLiga and Serie A to host official league fixtures abroad as a move that could “break football’s structure.”
But while the debate over sporting integrity dominates the headlines, the decision opens an entirely new conversation within the football business workforce.
Expanding Football’s Global Operations
With LaLiga’s Villarreal vs Barcelona clash set for Miami and Serie A’s AC Milan vs Como scheduled for Perth, clubs are entering uncharted territory not just on the pitch, but behind the scenes.
International fixtures introduce a new layer of complexity in logistics, operations, and staffing. From event managers and international liaisons to media, travel, and sponsorship professionals, clubs will need new expertise to manage these global events seamlessly.
Football organisations may soon find themselves hiring for “global operations” roles that didn’t exist a few years ago bridging time zones, regulatory frameworks, and fan engagement strategies across continents.
Shifting Calendars, Shifting Careers
Infantino also hinted at a possible reshaping of football’s seasonal calendar, suggesting that Europe’s traditional off-season could evolve to accommodate global tournaments and new scheduling formats.
Such changes could reshape the rhythm of football employment from broadcast and event planning to player welfare teams and commercial departments. As the calendar expands into new months and markets, seasonal contracts may become year-round, creating more continuous employment opportunities across the industry.
A Global Market Demands Global Skills
While Infantino’s warning centres on the risk of losing football’s local soul, the reality is that the game’s commercial and employment landscape is already global. The workforce of tomorrow’s football industry will need to combine:
International event coordination experience
Cross-cultural communication and marketing skills
Regulatory understanding across multiple football bodies
Those ready to adapt to this internationalisation will find themselves at the forefront of football’s next employment wave.
From Risk to Revolution
Whether UEFA’s decision proves a short-term experiment or the start of a new era, one thing is clear, football’s job market is changing. The globalisation of fixtures, shifting tournament structures, and calendar innovations could redefine what it means to work in football.
For professionals in the industry, the message is simple: this is the time to think globally, build cross-border expertise, and prepare for the sport’s next frontier.
