FIFA Circular No. 1936
FIFA Circular No. 1936 sets out the key RSTP rules regarding club categorisation and registration periods. It clarifies the framework applicable to transfers and player registration by providing practical guidance to understand when and how movements can be validated, ensuring that procedures remain compliant at both national and international levels.
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Definition of FIFA Circular No. 1936
FIFA Circular No. 1936 is an official document published by FIFA on 16 July 2025. This text concerns articles from the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), notably training compensation, club categorisation and player registration periods.
FIFA Circular No. 1936 introduces adjustments to several elements of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP). These are:
- categorisation of clubs affiliated with FIFA member associations;
- player registration periods within the Transfer Matching System (TMS);
- obligations of associations regarding data updates in their national systems and the TMS.
FIFA Circular No. 1936 highlights the standards that must be upheld by football organisations to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance.
What FIFA Circular No. 1936 contains
Two main areas are addressed in Circular No. 1936:
- the categorisation of clubs based on their investment in training, which impacts the calculation of training compensation paid during international transfers;
- the regulation of registration periods, with reinforced requirements for transparency in the TMS.
Purpose and scope of FIFA Circular No. 1936
Circular No. 1936 plays a key role in clarifying the rules that apply to player transfers at the international level. This document strengthens several core components of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP).
Transfer transparency
By requiring member associations to input their registration periods directly into the TMS, FIFA ensures greater traceability of transfers. This requirement helps to avoid administrative errors and promotes greater legal certainty for clubs and players.
Training compensation
The document details the procedures for categorising clubs according to their training policies. This classification is essential for calculating training compensation in international transfers.
Here is FIFA’s official table of compensation by category and confederation:
| Confederation | Category I | Category II | Category III | Category IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC | - | USD 40,000 | USD 10,000 | USD 2,000 |
| CAF | - | USD 30,000 | USD 10,000 | USD 2,000 |
| Concacaf | - | USD 40,000 | USD 10,000 | USD 2,000 |
| CONMEBOL | USD 50,000 | USD 30,000 | USD 10,000 | USD 2,000 |
| OFC | - | USD 30,000 | USD 10,000 | USD 2,000 |
| UEFA | EUR 90,000 | EUR 60,000 | EUR 30,000 | EUR 10,000 |
Regulatory compliance
With a deadline set for 31 July 2025 for the following calendar year (1 January to 31 December 2026), the circular requires associations to rapidly update their national systems. The aim of this measure is to ensure the proper implementation of FIFA rules in all member countries, thus contributing to the strengthening of global football governance.
Relevance of FIFA Circular No. 1936 for FIFA exam candidates
The Circular complements the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) on topics that are frequently covered in the FIFA agent exam, making it an essential document to know for the official test.
Understanding how registration periods work is useful in a sports agent’s career. It allows one to know, for instance, when a player can be registered with a club in compliance with FIFA regulations. Circular No. 1936 stresses the importance of entering these dates into the TMS, which can impact the validity of a transfer or contract.
Categorisation is also addressed in the text. This aspect is highly important, as it directly relates to the calculation of training compensation. Mastery of these categories is essential for answering questions relating to financial compensation.
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FIFA Circular No. 1936, in summary
FIFA Circular No. 1936 is a key document for understanding the rules that govern international player transfers. It provides essential clarification on two major points of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP): club categorisation and registration periods in the TMS.
Through the implementation of this text, FIFA aims to strengthen transfer transparency, ensure fair distribution of training compensation and guarantee regulatory compliance among member associations. These elements have a tangible impact on the daily management of professional players’ careers.