FIFA.com

SkipNavigation

FIFA President

Presidential column

Blatter: Football has a socio-cultural dimension

Blatter: Football has a socio-cultural dimension

Wednesday 12 August 2009
FIFA is no longer merely an institution that runs our sport. It has now taken on a social, cultural, political and sporting dimension in the struggle to educate children and defeat poverty. At the same time it has also become a powerful economic phenomenon. The 208 national associations affiliated to FIFA represent 260 million people actively connected to the game, including players, coaches and administrators. Based on the reasonable assumption that each of them has three or four family members or friends with an interest in the game, that figure rises to one billion, a seventh of the Earth's population. Football can also move mountains. The Iraqi FA continued to play throughout the war even though no national teams went to Baghdad to play, until very recently that is. We also organised a similar match between Palestine and Jordan in Ramallah in October 2008, which highlights the power of football and the fact that it is recognised by all politicians. The ...

2008

 
       
  • Blatter: More than a game

    Blatter: More than a game

    Friday 8 May 2009

    Our new magazine FIFA World, in its fresh and attractive guise, will offer all the latest news each month from world football's governing body as well as providing background information about FIFA's various projects, members and ...

  • Blatter: Good news and challenges

    Blatter: Good news and challenges

    Tuesday 4 November 2008

    In November's edition of the FIFA Magazine, the FIFA President talks about his visit to South Africa, 6+5, bringing people together and negative points.

  • Blatter: My Olympic impressions

    Blatter: My Olympic impressions

    Friday 3 October 2008

    FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter reflects on his memorable Olympic experience this summer in his monthly column in the FIFA Magazine.

  • Joseph S. Blatter: Action-packed calendar

    Joseph S. Blatter: Action-packed calendar

    Wednesday 10 September 2008

    In this month's FIFA Magazine, the FIFA President looks back on successful Olympic Football Tournaments and ahead to yet more global showpieces.

  • Joseph S. Blatter: More than ever

    Joseph S. Blatter: More than ever

    Tuesday 1 July 2008

    In the latest issue of the FIFA Magazine, Joseph S. Blatter reflects on the decade that his passed since his election as FIFA President in Paris.

  • Joseph S. Blatter: Talent and toil

    Joseph S. Blatter: Talent and toil

    Monday 2 June 2008

    In the latest edition of FIFA Magazine, Joseph S. Blatter talks about how success in football requires a careful balance of grit, skill and luck.