The course register
Licences and diplomas are awarded by AIFF and AFC — never by FFCI, which organizes and hosts courses. This register lists every course type FFCI works with: what it is, where it sits in the pathway, and where the current requirement lives.
FFCI will tell you when a course you are eligible for is announced. This is not a course registration — applications are made to the credentialing body when a course opens.
The main pathway
Each stage is held before the next. This is the spine of a coaching career.
AIFF D-Licence Course
Awarded by AIFF · 6 days
Now published by AIFF as the AIFF D Certificate.
The introductory step into football coaching in India, teaching the foundations of running a session to coaches at the start of the road.
- Where it sits
- Open to candidates with playing experience and knowledge of the game at any level.
- What it lets you coach
- Grassroots football, school and college teams, and district and inter-city championships.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI organizes and hosts D Certificate courses and helps candidates prepare for them.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFFRecord checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
- Playing experience and knowledge of the game at any level.
- Examination by an MBBS doctor before the course starts, with a fitness certificate stating the candidate is physically fit for the practical sessions.
- Knowledge of English (read and write) — the medium of instruction and course materials are in English.
- Active referees may also participate, up to the AFC C Certificate course.
- Commitment to coaching and willingness to actively continue in coaching.
- Attendance at all sessions is compulsory.
- Participants bear all costs of participation, including study material and playing kit.
A D-Licence holder will be able to coach in grassroots football, college and school teams, and district and inter-city championships.
From the course — AIFF D-License Course, Jyotirmoy Public School, 6–11 June 2026 AFC Goalkeeping Course
Awarded by AIFF
The specialist step for coaches working with goalkeepers, delivered on AIFF's own course calendar alongside the D Certificate.
- Where it sits
- Positioned by FFCI between the D Certificate and the C Diploma — taken once a coach holds the D and works with goalkeepers.
- What it lets you coach
- Goalkeeping-specific coaching within a club, school or academy.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI advises coaches on this route and can host courses where AIFF schedules them.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFFRecord checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
Level 1 · minimum 40 hours
- AFC C Coaching Certificate with a minimum of 1 year coaching experience.
- Playing and coaching experience (supporting CV).
Level 2 · minimum 65 hours
- Goalkeeping Level 1 Coaching Certificate.
- Working experience (minimum 2 years).
- Log book (minimum 40 coaching hours).
- Valid licence.
Level 3 · minimum 70 hours
- Goalkeeping Level 2 Coaching Certificate.
- Working experience (minimum 2 years).
- Log book (minimum 50 coaching hours).
- Valid licence.
Coaches taking this specialist course must hold at least the AFC C Coaching Certificate and continue their work in this chosen field.
AFC C-Licence Course
Awarded by AFC · 13 days, with a minimum of 85 hours of practical and theoretical study
Now published by AFC as the AFC C Diploma.
Develops a coach's basic technique and skill, and teaches them to organize, direct and run practices aimed especially at young players.
- Where it sits
- Held after the AIFF D Certificate and a period of coaching.
- What it lets you coach
- Coaching youth and amateur teams with a recognized continental qualification.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI organizes and hosts C Diploma courses and supports coaches moving up from the D Certificate.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFF (AFC Coaching Convention)Record checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
- An AIFF D Certificate, with 3 months' experience after successful completion.
- Examination by an MBBS doctor before the course starts, with a fitness certificate for the practical sessions.
- Knowledge of English (read and write).
- Active referees may also participate, up to the AFC C Certificate course.
- Commitment to coaching and willingness to actively continue in coaching.
- Attendance at all sessions is compulsory.
- Participants bear all costs of participation, including study material and playing kit.
Final examination assesses practical coaching ability, knowledge of the laws of the game, and understanding of the theory contents.
From the course — AFC C-License Course, Haldia, November–December 2025 AFC B-Licence Course
Awarded by AFC · 20 days, containing more than 107 hours of theoretical and practical content
Now published by AFC as the AFC B Diploma.
Advanced technique and tactics, developing a playing style, and planning individual, group and team preparation.
- Where it sits
- Held after the AFC C Diploma, with coaching experience.
- What it lets you coach
- Coaching at a higher competitive level, with a stronger grasp of preparation across a season.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI hosts and supports coaches working toward the B Diploma.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFF (AFC Coaching Convention)Record checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
- AFC C Coaching Certificate.
- Coaching experience (minimum 2 years).
- Log book (minimum 60 coaching hours).
- Valid licence.
Examination covers practical coaching ability and theory, plus a brief dissertation presented to the class.
AFC A-Licence Course
Awarded by AFC · 27 days, with a minimum of 148 hours
Now published by AFC as the AFC A Diploma.
Tactical and technical requirements of teams, leadership and management, player identification, and the physical and psychological needs of players.
- Where it sits
- Held after the AFC B Diploma; places are allocated on recommendation.
- What it lets you coach
- Senior competitive team management.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI advises coaches on reaching this stage; the course is run under AIFF's coach-education calendar.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFF (AFC Coaching Convention)Record checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
- AFC B Coaching Certificate.
- Coaching experience (minimum 1 year).
- Log book (minimum 80 coaching hours).
- Valid licence.
- Selection of participants is based only on the recommendation of the instructors.
Students are examined on the practical and theoretical aspects of the game, and submit and present a dissertation.
AFC Pro-Licence Course
Awarded by AFC · 4 modules totalling at least 380 hours; a compact professional diploma of minimum 220 hours exists for countries in the Asian Champions League
Now published by AFC as the AFC Pro Diploma.
The highest standard in Asian coach education, taught across modules with club attachments, a dissertation and oral examination.
- Where it sits
- Held after the AFC A Diploma, in senior professional work.
- What it lets you coach
- Professional club and national-team work.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI does not run this course. It advises coaches on the pathway toward it.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFF (AFC Coaching Convention)Record checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
- AFC A Coaching Certificate (minimum requirement).
- Coaching a professional or elite club, or attached to the national team.
- Physically and medically fit.
- Able to participate in both practical and theoretical sessions.
- Literacy (reading and writing).
- English language (compulsory for continental courses; when required for regional courses).
- Log book (minimum 100 coaching hours).
Requires club attachments abroad and/or at home with log book entries, a dissertation of minimum 5000 words, and final written, practical and oral examinations.
Specialist certificates
Branches from the main pathway for coaches who work in one part of the game.
AFC Conditioning Course
Awarded by AFC · minimum 60 hours
A specialist route in the physical preparation of players, created as the physical demands of the game have grown.
- Where it sits
- Branches from the main pathway for coaches already holding an advanced continental diploma.
- What it lets you coach
- Physical conditioning work with teams.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI advises coaches on this route.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFF (AFC Coaching Convention)Record checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
- AFC B Coaching Certificate with a minimum of 1 year coaching experience.
- Playing and coaching experience (supporting CV).
AFC is in the process of developing conditioning certificates that include 3 levels.
Train the trainers
The route by which experienced coaches become the people who teach courses.
AFC Instructors Course
Awarded by AFC · 85 hours, including practical, theoretical and oral examinations; four levels of instructorship
Trains experienced coaches to deliver courses themselves — how to teach team tactics and styles of play, analyse a game, and work with groups of coaches.
- Where it sits
- Requires an advanced continental diploma and a valid licence.
- What it lets you coach
- Delivering coach-education courses as an instructor.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI's instructors come from this route. FFCI does not award it.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFF (AFC Coaching Convention)Record checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
- AFC A Coaching Certificate with a valid licence.
- Written and spoken English (continental and regional level).
- Able to conduct both theoretical and practical sessions.
- Physically and medically fit.
- Knowledgeable and well-informed, with good communication skills.
- Convincing, fair and objective.
- Basic PowerPoint skills; computer literate.
- Not exceeding the retirement age of 60.
AFC Goalkeeping Instructors Course
Awarded by AFC · 3 levels of goalkeeping instructorship, covering approximately 200 hours in total, with practical, theoretical and oral examinations
The train-the-trainers route for goalkeeping specialists, covering learning styles, session design and composure under pressure.
- Where it sits
- Requires an advanced continental diploma or the highest goalkeeping certificate, with a valid licence.
- What it lets you coach
- Delivering goalkeeping coach-education courses.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI does not award this qualification.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFF (AFC Coaching Convention)Record checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
- AFC A Coaching Certificate, or Advanced (Level 3) Goalkeeping Coaching Certificate, with a valid licence.
- Playing and coaching experience (supporting CV).
- Written and spoken English (continental and regional level).
- Able to conduct both theoretical and practical sessions.
- Physically and medically fit.
- Knowledgeable and well-informed, with good communication skills.
- Convincing, fair and objective.
- Basic PowerPoint skills; computer literate.
- Not exceeding the retirement age of 60.
AFC Conditioning Instructors Course
Awarded by AFC · 68 hours, with practical, theoretical and oral examinations; one level of conditioning instructorship
The train-the-trainers route in physical preparation, covering session structure, seasonal planning and conditioning testing.
- Where it sits
- Requires an advanced continental diploma and a degree in physical education or sport science.
- What it lets you coach
- Delivering conditioning coach-education courses.
- FFCI's role
- FFCI does not award this qualification.
Content pending FFCI verification
Current criteria at AIFF (AFC Coaching Convention)Record checked 26 July 2026Register interest
Entry criteria
Entry criteria as FFCI published them
- AFC A Coaching Certificate or Conditioning Coaching Certificate with a valid licence.
- Minimum Bachelor's degree in Physical Education / Sports Science or its equivalent.
- Playing and coaching experience (supporting CV).
- Written and spoken English (continental and regional level).
- Able to conduct both theoretical and practical sessions.
- Physically and medically fit.
- Knowledgeable and well-informed, with good communication skills.
- Convincing, fair and objective.
- Basic PowerPoint skills; computer literate.
- Not exceeding 60 years.
How licensing works
A diploma is earned once. A licence has to be kept.
The diploma and the licence are different things
A course awards a diploma. To coach officially, a coach then holds a licence — and AIFF requires that licence to be kept current.
A licence runs for three years
It is renewed for a further three years when the coach completes their continuing professional development points within the period.
Continuing development counts in two forms
Theory — conferences, seminars and courses. Practice — coaching sessions, club attachments, master classes and refresher courses, evidenced by a log book.
Qualifications from elsewhere can be recognized
A coach holding a diploma from another confederation may apply to AIFF for recognition of experience and current competence.
Renewal starts before expiry
AIFF asks holders of expiring licences to approach it well before the expiry date, not after.
AIFF Coaching EducationChecked 26 July 2026
Licences and diplomas are awarded by AIFF and AFC, never by FFCI. Entry criteria are set by the credentialing body and change; confirm current requirements with them before applying.
This register is written to be saved, printed and forwarded. Criteria change: the linked official page is always current.