FIFA has announced a strategic partnership with performance and player development organisation FITGMR to launch a new initiative aimed at enhancing coaching standards within the football-themed esports landscape such as EA FC and Rocket League.

The collaboration introduces the FIFAe Coach Development Programme powered by FITGMR, a multi-week course specifically tailored for coaches within FIFA’s Member Associations. The initiative aims to professionalise football esports coaching and strengthen the development of players and national teams globally.

Developed with input from experienced FIFAe coaches and FITGMR’s science-based training framework, the programme covers areas such as team development, in-game performance, and post-game recovery. Upon completion, participants will receive an official FIFAe certification, which will be published on FIFA.GG.

The inaugural cohort is set to begin development in Zurich on 9 July, where a working group of coaches and experts from both FIFA and FITGMR will co-create the curriculum. Participants include notable figures from the esports coaching scene:

  • Daniel Fehr – FIFAe World Champion Coach (2022)

  • Putra Sutopo – FIFAe World Champion Coach (2024)

  • Francisco Cruz – FIWC Champion (2011)

  • Renzo Oemrawsingh – FIFAe World Champion Coach (2023)

  • Victor Francal – Rocket League Coach

  • Michaël Vanderheyden – Football Esports Coach

  • Jeff Simpkins – Rocket League Coach

  • Gabriel Guimarães Martins – 2× FIFAe Nations Cup Champion Coach

  • Samuel ‘Boc’ Boudrie – FITGMR Esports Coaching Operations Manager

“Together, we’re building a tailored curriculum designed to level up esports coaching around the world,” said Jeff Simpkins in a LinkedIn post, “it’s an exciting opportunity to help bring consistency, raise standards, and provide a clear development path for coaches in the football esports space.”

The initiative will also offer access to FITGMR’s high-performance training platform – including the FITGMR App and Team Dashboard – for up to 200 players and coaches through December 2026. Onboarding and training sessions will be provided to Member Associations to ensure effective use.

“We believe that healthy players make better players – and great coaches make all the difference,” said Kristin Anderson, CEO and Co-Founder of FITGMR. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to performance, well-being, and sustainable growth across the global football esports community.”

Furthermore, all users registered on FIFA.GG will receive one year of complimentary access to the FITGMR App. The collaboration will also introduce additional educational formats to the broader FIFAe community. The programme forms part of FIFAe’s Good Game Promise, a product development initiative focused on player health, community well-being, and environmental sustainability.