Andre Waugh, Coach Education Senior Manager at Concacaf, has been selected as one of 26 participants in the third edition of FIFA’s prestigious Technical Leadership Diploma. Waugh is the first Jamaican to enrol in this 20-month programme, designed to cultivate leaders capable of transforming the beautiful game of football at all levels.
From March 10-15, Waugh joined fellow Technical Leaders from various Member Associations, Confederations, and FIFA in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the first block of this unique Level 6 qualification.
“I am honoured to be part of the third cohort of the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma,” said Waugh. “This prestigious programme will equip me with the skills to drive football development and foster innovation and excellence across our Confederation. I am excited to learn from global experts and contribute to the growth of our beloved game, football.”
Steven Martens, FIFA Director of Global Football Development, expressed his enthusiasm for Waugh’s participation: “We are delighted to welcome Andre onto the third edition of our Technical Leadership Diploma. The launch of this third edition is further evidence of FIFA’s commitment to sustained investment in the education of Technical Leaders.”
Martens added, “We believe the Technical Leadership Diploma will help each participant optimize the management of football in their own country, both on and off the pitch. The development of exceptional Technical Leaders will also support our long-term strategic goals to give every talent a chance and grow the game at every level.”
Globally Recognized Qualification for Technical Leaders
The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma is the first qualification of its kind, aiming to become the globally recognized credential for Technical Leaders in football.
“Currently, there is no single award or accreditation that defines a Technical Leader within a Member Association,” explained Jamie Houchen, FIFA Head of Technical Leadership. “If a Member Association seeks to hire a Technical Leader, there is no benchmark for quality.”
Houchen emphasized, “We believe the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma will become the globally recognized qualification for Technical Leaders, producing the highest quality graduates to lead football around the world.”
Following the six-day workshop in Brazil, participants will embark on personal projects tailored to their unique contexts, in addition to engaging in a programme of online learning. The cohort will reconvene for another six-day session later in the year, with two additional in-person events scheduled for 2026.
The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma aims to prepare participants for the distinct challenges and opportunities faced by Technical Leaders within Member Associations, covering five core areas:- Leadership, High Performance, Coach Education, Amateur Football, and Management.