Features described will be publicly available in 2026
The FIFA Duplicate Matching Module is a specialized interface designed exclusively for Federations and New Zealand Football (NZF) to ensure accurate player identification and registration across international boundaries. This tool is essential for maintaining the integrity of FIFA's global player identification system, which assigns a unique FIFA ID to each player, coach, or official in the global football ecosystem.
The main purpose of this module is to detect and resolve potential duplicate registrations of the same person across different Member Associations (MAs). When a person is registered in the system, the FIFA Connect ID Service checks for potential duplicates based on similarities in key identifying details such as name, date of birth, and nationality. This helps prevent multiple FIFA IDs being assigned to the same person and ensures proper international transfer processes are followed.
Accessing the Duplicate Matching Module
The Duplicate Matching Module is accessible only to authorized Federation and NZF staff responsible for player registration and management.
Main Features
Main Screen: Duplicates Overview
The main screen displays a list of all potential duplicate records that require resolution. From this screen, you can:
- View All Duplicates: See a comprehensive list of all records flagged as potential duplicates.
- Apply Filters: Narrow down the list based on specific criteria:
- Filter by professional players only
- Filter by specific clubs
- Filter by registration status
- Filter by date
- Filter by player level (amateur vs. professional)
Duplicate Resolution Process
When you click on a record from the main list, you'll see potential duplicate matches for that individual. The system provides several options for handling these cases:
Option 1: Mark Player as Inactive
This option allows you to designate a player registration as inactive, indicating that this record does not need to be included in duplicate matching. This is typically used for historical records or when a player is no longer actively registered.
Option 2: RESOLVE - No Duplicates
If you determine after careful review that the potential matches are not actually duplicates (false positives), you can select this option to force a new FIFA ID to be created for the player. This should only be done after thorough verification that the person is indeed unique.
Option 3: Check and Compare Duplicates
This option allows you to view detailed information about potential duplicate matches and compare them side-by-side with your current record. The comparison screen shows:
- Personal details (name, date of birth, nationality)
- Photos (when available)
- Registration history
- Current registrations in other MAs
If you confirm that a duplicate is found, you can opt to set player registration status to Active or trigger the international transfer process, which ensures that all FIFA regulations regarding player transfers are properly followed.
Best Practices
- Careful Verification: Always thoroughly compare all available information before making a determination about duplicate records.
- Photo Verification: Use player photos (when available) as an additional verification tool to confirm identity.
- Contact Other MAs: In cases where information is incomplete, don't hesitate to directly contact other Member Associations for clarification.
- Follow Transfer Protocols: When a duplicate is confirmed, ensure the proper international transfer procedures are followed rather than creating a new registration.
- Regular Monitoring: Check the duplicate matching module regularly to ensure timely resolution of potential duplicates.
Important Notes.
- All decisions made in the duplicate matching module must comply with FIFA's regulations regarding player registration and transfers.