FIFA Master Alumni - Where are they now? - Blandina Khumbo Mdebwe
Blandina Khumbo Mdebwe
Current Position: Women's Football and Technical Support Manager, Football Association of Malawi (FAM)
Year of graduation: 2025 (25th Edition)
Nationality: Malawian
What does your current role involve?
Since graduating from the FIFA Master in 2025, I have returned to Malawi and continue to serve as the Women's Football and Technical Support Manager at the Football Association of Malawi. My work spans several areas of the women's game, from development programmes and safeguarding to league administration and national team operations. One of the most exciting milestones has been spearheading the launch of Malawi's first Women's Football Strategy, which provides a long-term vision for growing the game and creating opportunities for girls and women across the country.
I also oversee projects supported through the FIFA Women's Football Development Programme, including the relaunch of Under-14 and Under-16 girls' leagues scheduled for August 2026. Alongside this, I work closely with the National Women's Football Association and the National Youth Football Association, supporting league operations, financial compliance, competition management and stakeholder coordination. Safeguarding is another key area of my work, where we deliver education programmes, develop codes of conduct and strengthen policies to ensure football remains a safe environment for everyone.
Women's national teams also fall under my department, meaning no two days are ever the same. From planning training camps and coordinating with clubs to arranging travel for foreign-based players and managing logistics, I have the privilege of supporting our players and staff behind the scenes. With Malawi preparing to make its debut at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, it is an exciting period for women's football in the country, and I am grateful to contribute to this historic journey.
Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?
The FIFA Master gave me a great academic foundation, but I also learnt just as much from my classmates as I did from the lectures. Being surrounded by classmates from all over the world, each with different experiences and perspectives, challenged the way I think and encouraged me to look at the industry beyond what I had always known. It pushed me to ask more questions, be more curious and become comfortable with ideas that were completely new to me.
On a personal level, it also forced me out of my shell. Before the programme, I was more comfortable staying in the background, but the FIFA Master constantly encouraged us to contribute, work with different people and step into situations that felt unfamiliar. Looking back, that confidence has carried over into my work today. I'm more willing to take on challenges, lead projects and trust myself. As Malawi prepares for its first-ever Women's AFCON, I often find myself drawing on that mindset. The programme taught me to think strategically, not just about solving today's problems, but about building sustainable structures and creating opportunities that will benefit women's football in Malawi for years to come.
What advice would you give to future students?
Take it all in, because it goes by incredibly quickly. Be curious, embrace every experience and invest in the relationships you build with your classmates. The alumni network you create will become just as valuable as the knowledge you gain.
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