Sunil Chhetri joins FIFA women's workshop, becomes sole male voice at Impact Accelerator
Synopsis
Sunil Chhetri became the only man in a room of elite women footballers — including World Cup winner Alexia Putellas — at FIFA's Impact Accelerator Workshop in Boston. The 42-year-old former India captain is now developing a social change project to present in London in December, in what marks a notable expansion of a programme that began as female-only in 2025.
Key Takeaways
Sunil Chhetri was the sole male participant at the FIFA Player Impact Programme's Impact Accelerator Workshop in Boston, Massachusetts in June 2026 .
The three-day workshop was part of the programme's second cohort of 13 players , with 12 women from across the world.
Notable co-participants included Spain's Alexia Putellas , Canada's Jessie Fleming , and Brazil's Gabi Nunes , among others.
Chhetri is reportedly developing a social change project for India , to be presented at the next workshop in London in December 2026 .
The programme, which began as a female-only pilot in 2025 , expanded its scope to include Chhetri as a reflection of its growing ambition.
Former India captain Sunil Chhetri made history as the only male participant at a three-day Impact Accelerator Workshop in Boston, Massachusetts, held as part of the FIFA Player Impact Programme, gaining rare insight into women's football and the broader movement to harness athlete influence for social change. The June gathering, part of the programme's second cohort, brought together 13 elite footballers — 12 of them women — to chart how their platform can be converted into measurable community impact.
How Chhetri Ended Up in a Women-Led Programme
The 42-year-old Chhetri's inclusion in what had previously been a female-only initiative reflects a deliberate expansion in the programme's scope and ambition. According to reports from FIFA's official website, the programme 'builds upon the success of its female-only pilot in 2025' and now recognises that players across genders share a unique platform to inspire future generations. Chhetri is reportedly working on a project aimed at driving positive social change in India, which he is expected to present at the next stage of the workshop in London in December 2026.
Who Was in the Boston Cohort
The Boston conclave drew an internationally diverse group of footballers. Among those present were Alexia Putellas, a FIFA Women's World Cup winner with Spain; Casey Phair of Korea Republic; Gabi Nunes of Brazil; Hina Sugita of Japan; Jessie Fleming of Canada; Kenza Dali of France; Maria Sanchez of Mexico; Michelle Agyemang of England; Phallon Tullis-Joyce of the USA; Racheal Kundananji of Zambia; Rasheedat Ajibade of Nigeria; and Rebekah Stott of New Zealand — alongside Chhetri as the sole representative from India and the only male participant.
What the Workshop Involved
Over three days, participants engaged in group discussions, practical exercises and expert-led sessions to share personal journeys and set impact goals. According to FIFA's report, players left Boston with 'a clearer understanding of how the nine-month programme will support them with the skills, resources and guidance needed to turn their projects into reality.' The sessions were designed to generate what FIFA described as 'powerful, engaging and constructive exchanges that will ultimately create lasting change in their communities.'
What Chhetri Said
'I'm really happy that I got this opportunity,' Chhetri was quoted as saying on FIFA's website. 'I cannot wait to put those lessons into practice. I don't think there is a difference (between) a man and a woman here, (we are) just meeting amazing personalities, some amazing top-class players from different countries.' The remarks reflect a broader theme of the programme: that athletic excellence and social responsibility transcend gender boundaries.
What Comes Next
The next milestone for all participants is the London gathering in December 2026, where they will present their individual projects to peers and join virtual sessions as part of the continuing nine-month programme. For Chhetri — who remains active in Indian football despite being 42 — the initiative offers a framework to extend his influence well beyond the pitch, potentially shaping grassroots or social initiatives in India backed by FIFA's institutional support.
Point of View
But as a credible social change actor whose platform transcends India's domestic football bubble. The more interesting question is what project he will bring to London in December: India's grassroots football infrastructure, gender access to sport, and youth development all remain underfunded relative to the country's size. If Chhetri's nine months in this programme produce a concrete, funded initiative, it could matter far more than any goal he scored. The programme's expansion beyond its female-only pilot also raises a subtle tension — one that FIFA will need to manage as it scales: how to preserve the safe, women-centred character of a network while genuinely broadening its reach.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sunil Chhetri at a FIFA women's football workshop?
Sunil Chhetri was invited as part of the second cohort of the FIFA Player Impact Programme, which expanded beyond its original female-only format to include him as the sole male participant. The programme empowers players to use their platform to drive positive social change, and Chhetri was selected to participate alongside 12 elite women footballers from around the world.
What is the FIFA Player Impact Programme?
The FIFA Player Impact Programme is a nine-month initiative that equips elite footballers with the skills, resources and guidance to turn their influence into real-world social change projects. It began as a female-only pilot in 2025 and expanded in its second cohort to include Sunil Chhetri as the only male participant.
Where and when did the FIFA Impact Accelerator Workshop take place?
The three-day Impact Accelerator Workshop took place in Boston, Massachusetts, in June 2026. It was the first stage of the second cohort's nine-month journey, with the next milestone set for London in December 2026.
Who else participated in the Boston workshop alongside Chhetri?
The cohort included Alexia Putellas of Spain, Jessie Fleming of Canada, Gabi Nunes of Brazil, Michelle Agyemang of England, Racheal Kundananji of Zambia, Rasheedat Ajibade of Nigeria, Rebekah Stott of New Zealand, and players from Japan, Korea Republic, France, Mexico and the USA — 12 women in total, with Chhetri as the only male.
What will Chhetri do next as part of the programme?
Chhetri is expected to develop a social change project focused on India and present it at the next stage of the FIFA Impact Accelerator Workshop in London in December 2026. The London gathering will also include virtual sessions where all 13 participants share their projects with peers.
