Football transfers, the World Cup and competing internationally: the UK tax risks for footballers

A football transfer is more than a new contract or a move between clubs — it can completely reshape a player’s UK tax position, often with unexpected consequences.

In this episode, Ross Tracey and Nick Hall join host Pete Hackleton to explore the key tax risks facing footballers and agents when moving into or out of the UK.

They discuss cross-border complexities, from double tax treaties to sponsorships, image rights, and other income, and explain why paying tax overseas (or leaving the UK) doesn’t remove UK reporting obligations.

The episode also covers the new foreign income and gains (FIG) regime (from April 2025) and Overseas Workday Relief (OWR).

Looking ahead to the World Cup 2026, they flag the key considerations for international players, including US withholding taxes and how UK tax relief may apply.

Listen now for a practical guide on navigating tax in the modern football world.