Would-be football agents complain Fifa’s faulty online exam causes one-year delay

Technical problems with Fifa’s online football agent exam have prevented candidates from completing the test, with many told they will have to wait 12 months for their next opportunity.

New regulations on agents introduced at the start of this year mean candidates must complete 20 multiple‑choice questions online rather than attend a test in person, usually at their national federation’s headquarters. It is understood the change was made by Fifa to provide consistency over the cost, with candidates now paying $100 (or the equivalent in pounds or Euros) to sit the annual exam, which took place for the first time on 18 June.

The Guardian has been contacted by applicants from several countries, including the United Kingdom, who have complained that they were unable to complete the one-hour test owing to the technical difficulties. It is understood candidates were asked before their test to download software, which was then checked by an online invigilator. But issues with the software meant they were often left with insufficient time to answer the questions or found some answers had not been recorded.

“I attempted several times to fix the issue by disconnecting and reconnecting, but it took over 25 minutes before the connection was restored,” wrote one candidate from Niger in a letter to Fifa seen by the Guardian. “Once I was allowed to resume, there were only about 10 minutes remaining on the exam. On July 3, 2025, I received my results and was surprised to see that I had failed with a score of 11 out of 20. However, among the nine questions marked as incorrect, seven were shown as blank, even though I clearly remember answering them before submission, one displayed a choice that I am certain I never selected, and it does not match the answer I intended to choose.”

Another candidate from the UK said he had been told by his invigilator that “the issue was not related to my device or internet connection, but rather to the platform itself. After several unsuccessful attempts, the invigilator advised me to disconnect and assured me that she would submit a detailed report to Fifa, explicitly stating that I had been unable to participate due to a force majeure situation, as defined in article 12 of the Fifa football agent exam rules (March 2025 edition). It is particularly frustrating to now see my application rejected without any clarification, despite having fulfilled all requirements, acted diligently, and paid the full registration fee.”

Fifa headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Candidates for the football agent exam have cited delays in downloading software cutting into their time to answer questions. Photograph: Til Buergy/EPA

It is understood that some candidates were allowed to resit the exam on 30 June but that many have been informed, in an email that stated they had no right to appeal, they will have to wait until next year. “This disparity raises serious concerns regarding consistency and equal treatment,” the UK candidate said.

The Guardian has forwarded all the complaints to Fifa. World football’s governing body declined to comment but it is understood to be aware of some complaints that are being handled on a case-by-case basis and it is satisfied that the majority of the candidates were able to take the exam with no technical problems. Fifa is believed to be monitoring the situation but is understood to have been reassured by providers that there is no issue with the exam platform.

A candidate from Turkmenistan, who says he had 27 minutes to complete their exam owing to technical difficulties and the failure of the system’s translation tool, described the experience as “extremely upsetting”. “The examiner promised to submit an official report and inform Fifa of the situation,” he wrote. “She also told me that Fifa would contact me shortly regarding this incident. However, two weeks have now passed, and I have not received any response.” It is understood that a further fortnight later the situation has not changed.

A source told the Guardian: “The system hasn’t been working properly and there have been so many complaints but they aren’t really doing anything about it. Lots of people have put loads of time and effort into revising and to not be able to take the exam is really unfair. It’s a shambles.”