FIU launches Professional Certificate in Sports Leadership with Argentine Football Association

The Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC) at the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs and the Argentine Football Association (AFA), the governing body of soccer in Argentina, have announced the launch of the AFA-FIU Professional Certificate in Sports Leadership.

The program signifies a powerful collaboration between a major U.S. public university and the nation of the reigning World Cup champion, fostering a unique exchange of knowledge and expertise that will benefit both institutions and sports leaders globally. FIU and the AFA’s joint initiative will focus on the methodology and models of sports management in the first Global Sports Leadership program.

“We are delighted to partner with AFA, so that together we can strengthen and enrich each other,” said LACC Director Anthony Pereira. “LACC can provide the rigor of academic research and a love of analysis and learning to our joint endeavor. AFA, for its part, has a tremendous global reach and the prestige of holding the World Cup. We are really looking forward to the start of the executive program!”

After six months of planning, FIU and AFA formalized their relationship by signing a collaboration agreement at a launch event at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus on May 21. The 10-week non-credit certificate program will be June 27-August 29, with world-wide accessibility via a hybrid format with in-person classes and online access.

AFA identified the global demand to offer the program to a wide audience, working with LACC to develop the program. Course modules will cover subjects such as club governance; match day operations; press and communications; youth development; player management; sports science, nutrition, and rehabilitation; women’s soccer; brand building and leveraging globalization; coaching national teams; and federations, confederations, FIFA and the future of soccer.

“As a global university in a global city, FIU is committed to building our future with local industry partners such as the AFA. We’re excited at the opportunity to combine our strengths in academics and athletics by offering this non-credit professional certificate,” FIU Provost Elizabeth Béjar said at the launch event.

Students will benefit from AFA’s immense experience and expertise, South Florida’s sports ecosystem, and the region’s upcoming major matches, including the Copa America this year and the World Cup in 2026.

“The program is emblematic of the Green’s School’s international reach and our collaborations with organizations around the globe. With AFA’s expansion in North America and establishment of their new U.S. headquarters in Miami, we are honored to join with you to deliver this unique academic program,” said Shlomi Dinar, dean of the Green School.

LACC also has a project with another Argentinian partner. Last year LACC and the Green School signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Buenos Aires to strengthen ties and expand collaboration on areas of common interest. These include security and governance, public health, climate change, energy and transportation, disaster risk management, and cybersecurity.

"In the last six years, AFA has expanded and enhanced its international position,” said Leandro Petersen, AFA commercial and marketing manager. “AFA’s focus on exporting our talent to the world and sharing our methodology in a university program, make AFA a model global institution. With our FIU partnership we can increase the value and management skills of the new generation of sports industry leaders."

Visit the web site for more information and to register.