FIFA MASTER ALUMNI - WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - CHEN WANXIN
Chen WanXin
Current Position: Competitions Manager at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Year of Graduation: 2023 (23rd edition)
Nationality: Singaporean
What does your role involve?
I am currently serving as a Competitions Manager at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). In this cross-functional role, I act as a project manager for major AFC competitions, working closely with various internal departments and external stakeholders to ensure each tournament is delivered to the highest standards. This includes coordinating timelines, overseeing key deliverables, and aligning efforts across functional teams such as operations, marketing, media and technical services.
This position has allowed me to transition from a more development-focused role - where I led the Grassroots and Women’s Department at the Football Association of Singapore - into a dynamic, regional environment. It has been an exciting opportunity to apply the strategic and operational insights gained during the FIFA Master, while continuing to grow professionally. I’m proud to be contributing to the advancement of football in Asia through well-executed competitions that bring the game to life for players and fans alike.
Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?
The interdisciplinary structure of the FIFA Master - combining humanities, management and law - gave me a broad understanding of the sports ecosystem. This has proven extremely valuable in a multifaceted role like mine. It equipped me with both the analytical skills and practical frameworks needed to manage complex projects in a global football context.
Equally significant was the cultural diversity and professional experience of my classmates. The FIFA Master teaching environment encouraged thoughtful discussion, mutual respect and collaborative problem-solving. These soft skills, such as adaptability, empathy and communication, are critical in my role both at the FAS and AFC, where success depends on effective teamwork across departments, cultures and countries.
What advice would you give to future students?
Be curious and open. One of the greatest strengths of the FIFA Master is the diversity of thought and experience within your class. Embrace that. Listen actively, engage meaningfully and be generous in sharing your own journey. The relationships you build will be one of the most valuable outcomes of the programme.
Also, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Whether it's exploring new areas of the sports industry or challenging your own assumptions, growth often happens when you lean into the unfamiliar. Use the year to take risks, reflect and evolve both personally and professionally.
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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).
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