By Ayomide Otitoju
In a joint initiative with the World Health Organization (WHO), FIFA has unveiled a global campaign titled Suspect and Protect: No Match is Worth the Risk, aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of concussion in football. Launched in line with FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023–2027, the campaign seeks to educate everyone involved in the sport on recognizing the risks and protecting players from traumatic brain injuries.
The campaign emphasizes that concussions, a serious form of brain injury, pose a risk to every player on the field. It has received strong endorsements from players, coaches, and medical professionals worldwide. Developed in consultation with FIFA Medical and WHO brain health experts, Suspect and Protect aims to increase awareness of concussion symptoms, which may take up to 72 hours to appear. It also provides guidelines on safely returning to play after a suspected or confirmed concussion.
Targeting players, coaches, and medical staff at all levels, from national teams to grassroots communities, the campaign provides tailored educational resources to help recognize symptoms and promote player safety. These resources are being distributed to all 211 FIFA Member Associations to ensure global reach and local implementation.
“Concussion is a brain injury and must be taken seriously,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Football should be enjoyed safely by everyone, everywhere. By knowing the signs of concussion and treating it correctly, we can prioritize player safety.”
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed the importance of the initiative, noting, “Concussion is a public health concern in football and other sports. We are proud to partner with FIFA on Suspect and Protect to safeguard the health of players worldwide.”
The campaign focuses on three main actions: raising awareness of concussion risks, empowering individuals with knowledge on how to respond, and providing guidance on safe return-to-play protocols for all levels of football—from professional leagues to amateur communities.
With Suspect and Protect, FIFA and WHO aim to ensure that no match is worth the risk when it comes to player health and safety.
