FIFA Master Alumni - Where are they now? - Sergio Palacios

Sergio Palacios

Current Position: MA Development Manager- Member Associations Division - FIFA

Year of graduation: 2013 (13th Edition)

Nationality: Peruvian, American, Spanish

What does your current role involve?

With over twenty years of professional experience, I have built a dynamic career that began in top-tier sales and marketing roles with global companies such as Lenovo, Procter & Gamble, and Nestlé. After more than a decade in these industries, I successfully transitioned into the sports world thanks to the FIFA Master programme, a strategic step that allowed me to combine my passion for sports with my expertise in business and management. 

This transition opened the door to a new chapter focused on football development, where I have cultivated game-changing skills in sponsorship activation, event management and strategic planning, both at the local level and on a global scale through my roles at the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) and FIFA.

Since May 2018, I have been serving as MA Development Manager at FIFA, a position that initially took me to the FIFA Regional Office in Asunción, Paraguay, and later, in August 2024, to the Regional Office in Panama, where I am currently based. In this role, I am responsible for supporting Member Associations (MAs) in implementing strategic development projects that align with FIFA’s global objectives. This includes overseeing the planning and execution of initiatives under the FIFA Forward umbrella, our flagship development programme, while ensuring compliance with governance standards and optimizing resources to maximize impact. 

A key aspect of my role is acting as the first point of contact for the MA in all matters related to FIFA, providing guidance and coordination across technical, administrative and strategic areas. I work closely with MAs to identify their priorities, provide administrative expertise and monitor progress, while fostering capacity-building through tailored workshops and knowledge-sharing. My responsibilities also extend to collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to drive sustainable growth of football at all levels, from grassroots to elite, ensuring that development efforts contribute to long-term structural improvements within each association.

On a day-to-day basis, my work is highly dynamic and involves regular communication and visits to the MA headquarters to address ongoing projects and operational needs. I review and validate development proposals, monitor budgets and timelines, and ensure compliance with FIFA’s reporting standards. A significant part of my role includes organizing and participating in meetings, workshops, and site visits to assess project progress and provide strategic advice. I also prepare detailed reports and presentations, coordinate with FIFA headquarters on approvals and resource allocation, and act as a liaison to facilitate knowledge exchange between different FIFA divisions and Member Associations. This requires balancing strategic planning with hands-on support to ensure that every initiative delivers tangible benefits for football development.

What makes this role truly rewarding is the opportunity to witness the transformative impact of these projects on the game and on communities. From helping MAs build infrastructure that enables more players to access the sport, to supporting programmes that empower women and youth through football. Every project contributes to a bigger vision: making football truly global and inclusive. Working at FIFA allows me to combine my passion for the sport with a commitment to development and sustainability, assets that are essential for shaping the future of football worldwide.

Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career? 

The FIFA Master helped me most by providing a global perspective, a strong professional network, and a multidisciplinary foundation in management, law, and humanities. These elements were key in my transition from corporate roles to football development, equipping me to manage complex projects, navigate through the complexities of the football industry, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders worldwide.

What advice would you give to future students? 

My advice to future students would be to take full advantage of the programme’s diversity and networking opportunities. Also, engage actively in every module, even those outside your comfort zone, and above all, build strong connections with classmates and professors.

FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 13 times by SportBusiness.

Organised by CIES in cooperation with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

"CIES, 30 years of impacting how sport is managed worldwide" & "FIFA Master, 25 years of Excellence in Sport Business Education"