Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri is looking to use the experience gained from FIFA’s Player Impact Programme to create meaningful social change and contribute to communities beyond the football field.

Chhetri, who represented India in more than 150 international matches between 2005 and 2025, was among 11 footballers selected for the second edition of the initiative.

The programme aims to equip players with the knowledge and resources to use their influence to address social issues, with education, mental health and equal access to sport among its key focus areas.

The 42-year-old became the programme’s first male participant, joining a group that includes Spain’s FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning midfielder Alexia Putellas.

“I’m really happy that I got this opportunity,” Chhetri said in a statement on FIFA’s official website.

“I cannot wait to put those lessons into practice. I don’t think there is a difference (between) a man and woman here, (we are) just meeting amazing personalities, some amazing top-class players from different countries,” the former India captain added.

The initiative brought together 11 players in Boston, USA, in June, providing them with tailored guidance to develop social-impact projects. FIFA is supporting the participants alongside an external specialist organisation with expertise in using sport as a tool for social development.

According to FIFA, the programme aims to help footballers translate their influence and resources into sustainable initiatives that can benefit communities worldwide. The initiative builds on a female-only pilot conducted in 2025, expanding its reach to include male players.

The previous edition also produced several community-driven projects, with participants establishing foundations, launching football academies and collaborating with non-profit organisations to address issues they had encountered during their playing careers.

The next phase of the programme is scheduled for December, when participants will meet in London and take part in virtual sessions to present their respective projects.