FIFA Master Alumni - Where are they now? - Verdiana Ciccone
Verdiana Ciccone
Current Position: Venue Language Manager for Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026
Year of Graduation: 2022 (22nd Edition)
Nationality: Italian
What does your current role involve?
In my current position as a Venue Language Manager, I am responsible for planning and overseeing the remote interpretation services inside the Press Conference Rooms at the competition venues. This feature will be provided through an app that will allow athletes to listen to the simultaneous interpretation delivered remotely by professional interpreters based at the Remote Interpretation Centre in Milan.
During the planning phase, my role includes coordinating the Language Services Venue Managers while working closely with multiple functional areas to ensure that language services are properly planned, scheduled and delivered on competition days.
Then during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, I will also be responsible for coordinating highly specialized volunteers in the mixed zone, supporting them in managing interactions between athletes and non-rights media holders to ensure effective communication during the event.
Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?
One of the most impactful aspects of the FIFA Master was its exceptional multicultural environment. Studying and working with classmates from all over the world broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to collaborate across cultures. The constant exposure to different viewpoints, working styles and cultural approaches prepared me to navigate global settings with openness. In addition to the structure of the course itself - changing countries, universities and languages within just nine months – it taught me to adapt quickly to new scenarios.
Finally, the programme strengthened my resilience as moving between three countries in such a short time inevitably came with logistical, personal and academic challenges, and learning to manage these constructively has certainly constituted an impact.
What advice would you give to future students?
My advice to future students is to truly enjoy the process and savour every moment of this unique journey! The FIFA Master goes by incredibly quickly, and each stage offers something different - new perspectives, new challenges and new opportunities to grow. Embrace the experience with curiosity, be open to stepping outside of your comfort zone, and allow yourself to be fully present in every class, field visit and discussion.
Equally important is the people you will meet along the way. You will be surrounded by classmates from all over the world, each bringing their own personal stories, cultural backgrounds, and professional experiences. Take the time to listen, learn and build meaningful connections. The relationships you form will not only enrich your time on the course, but will also become a lasting source of support, inspiration, and collaboration throughout your career.
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"
