It was founded on 16 November 1961 by Eugène N'Jo Léa and Just Fontaine, two footballers, and Jacques Bertrand, a jurist.
As of May 2021, the presidents of the UNFP are Philippe Piat and Sylvain Kastendeuch.
At the end of each season, the Trophées UNFP awards the best Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and Division 1 Féminine players, managers and referees of the season.
Since 1990, during the summer, the UNFP organizes training sessions for players whose contracts have ended but have not found new teams.
This article about an association football-related organization is a stub.