Joyce Cook has been named as FIFA's Chief Social Responsibility & Education Officer, and the new General Secretary of the FIFA Foundation.

Joyce has been described as "one of the world’s leading voices in the areas of sustainable development and inclusion", and her new role will see her lead on FIFA's social responsibility works, helping to utilise the unique power of football to bring about wider change and development within society.

Upon accepting her new role, Joyce said, "I am honoured to join the FIFA Foundation as a General Secretary and extremely proud to be the organisation’s first dedicated Chief Social Responsibility & Education Officer,” said Cook. “The creation of this position underscores FIFA’s unwavering commitment to these areas of human development, building up on such initiatives as Football For Schools and the FIFA Guardians Child Safeguarding Programme. This is really just the beginning".

Having founded CAFE in 2009, Joyce led CAFE for seven years before accepting the role of FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer in November 2016.

Since then, Joyce has been at the helm of the implementation of the FIFA Forward Programme for football development. FIFA Forward has developed into one of the world's most prominent sports’ development programmes, supporting 211 member associations and six confederations in ensuring that the beautiful game is welcoming and accessible for all.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is also President of the FIFA Foundation, was delighted to announce Joyce's new roles within football's international governing body.

"While Joyce Cook is already a key element of the FIFA administration, I find it very fitting that she takes over a role that capitalises on her invaluable expertise of finding effective ways to contribute to the improvement of society – in particular of those who need it the most. I look forward to working with both on bringing the FIFA Foundation to a new level of development".

CAFE Managing Director Joanna Deagle said, "Joyce has been changing the face of football for a long time, and the entire CAFE team are delighted for her on her new roles within FIFA. She has a proven track record of harnessing football's power to change lives, and we believe that this is tremendous news for FIFA, for Joyce and for the game as a whole".

FIFA has also announced that 1998 FIFA World Cup winner, Youri Djorkaeff, has been appointed as the FIFA Foundation's new Chief Executive Officer.

Djorkaeff, who enjoyed a glittering playing career, has established the Youri Djorkaeff Foundation and took part in a number of social activities organised by the FIFA Legends Programme since his retirement.

"The work with my own foundation has been the most rewarding experience in my life, and it is truly gratifying to be able to implement these same values on a global scale with the FIFA Foundation. We all know very well about football’s potential to make a difference in this world − I am glad to be in a position from which I can contribute to that in a very concrete manner", said Djorkaeff.

Gianni Infantino added, "It is a pleasure and a privilege to have Youri Djorkaeff join us in the FIFA Foundation. For every bit of brilliance that he has shown during his footballing career, he is an even stronger asset off the pitch, as someone committed to promoting social change through football. This is a perfect match".

Published 18/09/2019