Football Agents Report 2024

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - FIFA aims to enhance transparency in the football transfer system through the annual report on football agents, which includes an analysis of agent activities, licensing systems, and relevant updates [5][6] - In 2024, the total service fees for club agents in international transfers for male professional players amounted to USD 709.6 million, marking a decrease of 20.2% from 2023 but still the second-highest total ever recorded [7] - For female professional players, club agents earned just under USD 3.1 million in service fees in 2024, representing a growth of over 2.2 times compared to 2023 and more than six times the level in 2020 [8] Summary by Sections Overview - The report provides an extensive analysis of football agents' activities in international transfers, licensing systems, and updates relevant to football agents [5] Licensing System - FIFA received 19,827 licensing applications in 2024, with 10,887 individuals taking the exam and a pass rate of 40.4% [13] - 1,606 investigations were opened regarding potential non-compliance with eligibility requirements, with approximately 17% leading to license application rejections [14] - A total of 2,616 licenses were provisionally suspended on 1 October 2024, primarily due to non-payment of fees and failure to comply with continuing professional development (CPD) requirements [25][27] Agents in Men's Professional Football - The total spending on club agent service fees reached USD 709.6 million in 2024, a decrease of 20.2% from 2023 [43] - Club agents were involved in 2,185 international transfers, a 6.7% increase from 2023 [45] - UEFA clubs accounted for 85.4% of total spending on club agent service fees in international transfers worldwide [54] Agents in Women's Professional Football - Clubs in women's professional football spent just under USD 3.1 million on club agents in 2024, with a record 184 transfers involving club agents [92] - The number of transfers with player agents increased by 34.5% compared to 2023, reaching 515 transfers, which represents 22.6% of all international transfers in women's football [103] Methodology - The report analyzes international transfers of professional football players from 1 January 2024 to 4 December 2024, using data extracted from the Transfer Matching System (TMS) [110]