FIFA wants every player to know where to turn to when it comes to health. When you are injured, all you want is returning to action as soon as possible. This is not always wise, and a doctor who enables you to is not necessarily the best. A better doctor allows you to come back at just the right time in your recovery to make sure you can enjoy playing for many more years.

So you see that optimum care for football players requires a lot of experience not only in state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of injuries, but also in aftercare. Further, expertise in prevention of injuries and disease, mental training, diet as well as in anti-doping matters is needed.

FIFA therefore accredits established centres that have demonstrated their leadership in football medicine. Here, you will find a team of specialists from different fields working together to protect your health and wellbeing.

All centres have to undergo a strict selection process . Accreditation is granted for a period of five years during which all centres report annually on their activities.