A Month to Remember: Closing the UK Leg of the FIFA Master 26th Edition

The UK leg of the FIFA Master 26th Edition has officially come to an end and what a journey it has been. It feels like only yesterday that students first walked into the Clephan Building, meeting one another for the very first time. Now, as we reflect on an intense and enriching final month of the Humanities of Sport module at the International Centre for Sports History and Culture, we say goodbye to Leicester with a distinctly bittersweet feeling.

November hit the ground running with our first in-class exam on the Internationalization sub-module. With that milestone behind us, the cohort was more than ready to celebrate two slightly delayed birthdays: our capitano Alwin and THE one and only president, Sayor. Spirits were high as we quickly transitioned into the Contemporary Issues sub-module, sprinkled with a touch of finance and enriched by a wide range of guest speakers from within FIFA and beyond. This period was marked by an impressive series of field visits. Students travelled to The FA’s St. George’s Park, Leicester City FC Women’s training ground, the National Football Museum, and Manchester United, gaining invaluable insight into the inner workings of football institutions at every level. The international football break brought unforgettable highlights, with students attending the England vs Serbia World Cup qualifier at the iconic Wembley Stadium. Thanks to the support of our classmate Ian and the FMA, the week was elevated even further with attendance at the Brazil vs Senegal match at the Emirates Stadium, which has set the stage perfectly to the final Communications sub-module. But before moving on, the cohort has once more pressed pause to celebrate Yuto’s birthday, a party that also marked the much-anticipated culinary debut of our very own Tamu, who impressed everyone with homemade Japanese delicacies.

The Communications sub-module opened with guest speakers from Arsenal FC and explored topics such as public affairs, crisis communications, and digital strategy. Students also took part in a TV studio practical session, uncovering a few hidden on-screen talents within the class. The sub-module concluded with a creative communications assessment that brought out the very best of the cohort’s originality and teamwork.

As the UK leg drew to a close, students embarked on their final field visits to the PFA and Manchester City, followed by a last weekend trip to Liverpool. The visit included a tour of the legendary Anfield Stadium and a friendly football match against Liverpool’s FIMBA team. Despite a tough result, the FIFA Master team showed real character and attacking intent, with goals from Nathaniel and Martin, before bouncing back in style just two days later by handing the previously unbeaten DMU futsal team their first defeat in a thrilling 9–7 victory, a fitting reminder of the squad’s depth, spirit, and determination. It would also be remiss not to mention the team’s memorable 2–0 win against the DMU football team a few weeks earlier on a rain-soaked Friday evening, a match crowned by an unforgettable volley from our Samba star, Ian Agostini.

The final week of classes was shaped by the preparation and presentation of final project abstracts to the Scientific Committee, a coffee-fueled academic milestone marking the conclusion of the DMU chapter. The presentation day ended on a high note with a class dinner alongside the Scientific Committee, and a triple birthday celebration honoring the Habibis’ flat icon Rob, as well as Dr Kevin and our Coordinator James.

Beyond the classroom, the past six weeks were also filled with meaningful events. Some students had the opportunity to explore Edinburgh, while the entire cohort came together to celebrate Thanksgiving, a reminder that the FIFA Master experience is as much about community as it is about academic excellence. That sense of community and belonging was felt strongly during the final days at DMU, which were marked by heartfelt farewells. Several students said goodbye to the DMU sports clubs they had proudly joined and represented: Lalaina with the basketball team, Leonie with the rugby team, and Alessandro with the tennis team, bringing another memorable chapter of their Leicester journey and friendships to a close.

As we close this chapter, Leicester leaves us with lasting memories, connections, and a foundation that will carry us confidently into the next stage of the journey. See you in Milan!

By Rita El Idrissi Semlali

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