For anyone considering becoming a FIFA-licensed football agent, the FIFA Agent Exam pass rate is probably one of the first figures worth examining. The FIFA agent exam results tell you, in the plainest terms, how hard the exam actually is and, more usefully, how that difficulty has been moving over time.
2023 FIFA Football Agent Exam Results
2023 was the first year FIFA introduced the new licensing system under the FFAR, making it a landmark year for anyone seeking to enter the football agency industry.
FIFA received 19,973 licensing applications during the year. Of these, 16,969 were from candidates required to sit the exam, while the remainder were legacy applicants who qualified through transitional arrangements.Two exams were held in 2023.
The April sitting saw 3,800 candidates take the exam, with 1,962 passing, producing a pass rate of 52%. The September sitting, however, produced a very different result. Of the 5,407 candidates who sat, only 1,043 passed, giving a pass rate of approximately 19.3%.
Across both sittings in 2023, 9,207 candidates took the exam and 3,005 passed, producing an overall pass rate of 32.6%.
2024 FIFA Football Agent Exam Results
By 2024, the FIFA Football Agent Exam was no longer a completely new process. FIFA held two further examinations, in May and November, following two application windows.
In the year, FIFA received 19,827 licensing applications, with 10,887 candidates actually sitting the exam. The overall pass rate increased to 40.4%, representing a noticeable improvement from the 32.6% recorded in 2023.
2025 FIFA Football Agent Exam Results
In 2025, FIFA changed the examination structure following discussions within the FIFA Football Agent Working Group. The exam moved to one sitting per year, and the format changed from in-person to fully online.
FIFA received 16,117 licensing applications, with 9,148 candidates ultimately scheduled to sit the exam. Of those, 7,745 actually sat. Only 1,406 achieved the passing mark, producing a pass rate of approximately 18.2%.That represents a dramatic decline from 2024.
Lessons For 2027 Aspiring Agents
For candidates writing the 2027 FIFA agent exam, here are some of the takeaways from the results breakdown:
1. The remote format comes with its own challenges.
While a digital exam removes the need to travel to a physical test center, it has introduced technical challenges. Many candidates have been unable to sit or complete the exam cleanly due to technical issues. To understand how, read Part One of the factors responsible for the decline in the FIFA agent exam pass rate.
2. The open-book format does not make the exam easier.
Candidates can consult official materials on the platform, but the questions demand precise application of the regulations under strict time pressure, with 20 questions to be answered in 60 minutes. Those who rely on searching the materials rather than prior mastery consistently run out of time.
3. The pre-exam readiness check is compulsory, not optional.
In both the 2025 and 2026 exams, candidates who failed to complete the required technical readiness checks on the designated equipment were prevented from sitting the exam. Treating this step as a formality has already cost candidates their place.
4. The exam is now held only once per year.
With a single sitting since 2025, the option of retaking the exam a few months later no longer exists. A failed 2027 attempt means waiting a year, until 2028, to sit the exam again.
5. Surface-level preparation is no longer sufficient.
The data make clear that preparation cannot be treated as an afterthought. Candidates who understand the regulations thoroughly, pay close attention to detail, and practise consistently give themselves the best chance of joining the small percentage who pass.
Final Thoughts
In 2023, nearly half of those who sat the inaugural exam walked away with a licence. By 2025, more than four out of every five candidates failed, despite FIFA receiving over 16,000 applications.
Passing the FIFA Agent Exam has become increasingly difficult, with a large number of candidates applying each year and only a small fraction ultimately succeeding. If you are preparing for the 2027 FIFA Agent Exam, the BallBusiness FIFA Agent Exam Preparatory Course is designed to help aspiring agents pass on their first attempt and launch their careers in football agency. You can also join our Aspiring Agents 2027 group to connect with other candidates, share information, and have access to practice questions ahead of the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions About FIFA Agent Exam
Q: Is the FIFA Agent Exam getting harder each cycle?
A: Yes. And this can be seen in the pass rate, which fell from 52% in 2023 to 18% in 2025.
Q: What is the current pass mark for the FIFA Football Agent Exam?
A: Candidates must score at least 75% (15 correct answers out of 20) within 60 minutes
Q: Can a 2027 candidate expect a second attempt if they fail?
A: No. Since 2025, FIFA has held one exam edition per year, so a failed attempt in 2027 means waiting until 2028 for the next opportunity.
Q: Is the FIFA agent exam still open-book?Â
A: Yes. Official study materials can be consulted on the exam platform, but this does not remove the need for deep prior knowledge
Q: What are the factors behind the low pass rate of the FIFA agent exam?Â
A: The failure rate is due to combination of higher candidate volumes, the move to a fully remote format, reduced exam frequency, and the demand for precise regulatory application rather than general familiarity.