The Importance of Grassroots Football
“The UEFA C Diploma offers a vital formal qualification for coaches, providing the confidence to deliver well-planned, high-quality sessions suited to their players,” added President Čeferin. “The coursework emphasizes the key role of grassroots football and coaches in promoting fundamental values such as respect and inclusivity, ensuring the game is welcoming to everyone, regardless of age, gender, background, or ability.
“UEFA’s coach education leads the world with its modern approach, philosophy, and methodology. This new qualification reaffirms our commitment to setting and raising standards at all levels of the game.”
How UEFA Supports and Develops Coaching in Europe
With the UEFA C Diploma, UEFA now offers coaching diplomas at C, B, A, and Pro levels, along with specialist qualifications for youth, goalkeeping, and futsal coaches. Each diploma grants a coaching license valid for three years.
Member associations issue these licenses, ensuring their courses meet UEFA’s criteria and standards, which are regularly updated to reflect the latest trends in the game.
UEFA’s commitment to high coaching education standards enhances player and match quality across Europe, maintaining the continent’s leading position in the world’s most popular sport. The UEFA Coaching Convention is supported by UEFA member associations, guaranteeing a unified and minimum standard of coach education across Europe.
Main Roles of the UEFA Coaching Convention
- Improve coaching standards and ensure European football leads in coach education
- Ensure well-educated coaches at all levels for the wellbeing, physical, psychological, and technical development of players
- Maintain and elevate coaching standards within UEFA member associations
- Establish standardized UEFA diplomas for coaches at all levels in football and futsal
- Increase the number of male and female coaches with recognized qualifications
- Provide quality vocational education to support coaching development
- Recognize and regulate football coaching as a profession
- Promote the free movement of qualified coaches within Europe
About the UEFA C Diploma
The UEFA C Diploma equips grassroots coaches with the skills to provide a positive developmental experience that enhances players’ enjoyment, knowledge, and skill, regardless of age, ability, gender, or background. The course also covers crucial topics like child safeguarding, basic first aid, and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.
Course Length
The UEFA C Diploma requires a minimum of 60 hours of education, with at least 50 hours of guided interactive content and 10 hours of work experience. The course is evenly split between on- and off-pitch activities.
Four Pillars of the UEFA C Diploma
The Coach
- Creating opportunities for grassroots players of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities, including children, teenagers, adults, veterans, disabled people, and other amateur groups
- Inspiring a lifelong love for football
The Environment
- Maintaining a positive and motivational climate
The Player
- Adopting a holistic approach to player development
- Enhancing players’ basic techniques and game understanding
- Encouraging independent thinking
- Promoting the health benefits of regular football and overall fitness
- Instilling values of fair play and respect
The Game
- Planning and delivering various game formats focused on enjoyment and development
- Using the game as a tool for personal and football development
How to Enroll in the UEFA C Diploma
Interested in obtaining your UEFA C Diploma? Purchase your UEFA C-License online.