This document lays out a plan to further modernise the football world, make it increasingly inclusive and pave the way to a landscape in which, one day, we will have around 50 national teams and 50 clubs from all continents at a top competitive level. This is a vision to make football truly global.
CAMEROON
Rigobert Song was only 17 when he played in his first FIFA World Cup™ at USA 1994.
Four years after watching Cameroon's epic run to the Italy 1990 quarter-finals on television, the teenager found himself lining up alongside his idols for an adventure that would pave the way for a move to Europe and the launch of a fine career.
When he was then shown a red card in his side’s second-round match against eventual champions Brazil, the defender could not have imagined that he would go on to take part in three further editions, at France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010, and join a very exclusive club of Cameroonians featuring Jacques Songo'o and Samuel Eto'o to grace the game’s flagship event on four occasions.
In conversation with FIFA.com, Cameroon’s most-capped player (137 appearances) shares his most vivid World Cup memories as well as his opinion on the current Indomitable Lions.
Rigobert Song was only 17 when he played in his first FIFA World Cup™ at USA 1994.
Four years after watching Cameroon's epic run to the Italy 1990 quarter-finals on television, the teenager found himself lining up alongside his idols for an adventure that would pave the way for a move to Europe and the launch of a fine career.
When he was then shown a red card in his side’s second-round match against eventual champions Brazil, the defender could not have imagined that he would go on to take part in three further editions, at France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010, and join a very exclusive club of Cameroonians featuring Jacques Songo'o and Samuel Eto'o to grace the game’s flagship event on four occasions.
In conversation with FIFA.com, Cameroon’s most-capped player (137 appearances) shares his most vivid World Cup memories as well as his opinion on the current Indomitable Lions.
I was sent off in my first two World Cups. After that, I learned my lesson! I'm putting them down to youthful exuberance.
PERU
It came as no surprise when Claudio Pizarro formally announced his retirement in June, as it had been widely expected that Peru’s most successful footballing export would hang up his boots at the conclusion of this year’s Bundesliga, the league where he spent 20 of his 24 years as a professional.
With the national team he played 85 games, competing four times in the Copa America and five times in World Cup qualifying campaigns. He also bowed out as Peru’s fifth-highest scorer courtesy of his 20 international goals.
At club level, the man they dubbed the 'Andean Bomber', won 20 titles and set several records in Germany. He also became the top Peruvian marksman in Europe with 253 goals, and the fourth most prolific Latin American in European Cup/Champions League history.
Pizarro, who encouraged his compatriots with an emotional letter before Peru’s World Cup play-off with New Zealand despite not having been called up for the game, and who extended his contract with Werder Bremen by six days to help the club avoid relegation, chatted about all this and more in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.
It came as no surprise when Claudio Pizarro formally announced his retirement in June, as it had been widely expected that Peru’s most successful footballing export would hang up his boots at the conclusion of this year’s Bundesliga, the league where he spent 20 of his 24 years as a professional.
With the national team he played 85 games, competing four times in the Copa America and five times in World Cup qualifying campaigns. He also bowed out as Peru’s fifth-highest scorer courtesy of his 20 international goals.
At club level, the man they dubbed the 'Andean Bomber', won 20 titles and set several records in Germany. He also became the top Peruvian marksman in Europe with 253 goals, and the fourth most prolific Latin American in European Cup/Champions League history.
Pizarro, who encouraged his compatriots with an emotional letter before Peru’s World Cup play-off with New Zealand despite not having been called up for the game, and who extended his contract with Werder Bremen by six days to help the club avoid relegation, chatted about all this and more in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.
I'd like to help one or more of my compatriots to have a career similar to mine. I think that would be beneficial to Peruvian football.
TURKEY
Everyone remembers 'The Invincibles', the Arsenal team that went unbeaten throughout the entire 2003/04 Premier League. But what is not often acknowledged is the impact some of that squad's youngsters made.
At the age of 18 years and ten months, Gael Clichy, who made 12 Premier League appearances that season at left-back, filling in for the injured Ashley Cole, became the youngest player to win a Premier League medal – a record which has since been eclipsed by Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Historic achievements and success has followed Clichy from there. Two more Premier League trophies with Manchester City and, most recently, a first-ever Turkish Super Lig title with Istanbul Basaksehir prompted FIFA.com to catch up with him to discuss the significance of his latest title, how 'The Invincibles' influenced the rest of his career and his future plans once he decides to hang up his boots.
Everyone remembers 'The Invincibles', the Arsenal team that went unbeaten throughout the entire 2003/04 Premier League. But what is not often acknowledged is the impact some of that squad's youngsters made.
At the age of 18 years and ten months, Gael Clichy, who made 12 Premier League appearances that season at left-back, filling in for the injured Ashley Cole, became the youngest player to win a Premier League medal – a record which has since been eclipsed by Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Historic achievements and success has followed Clichy from there. Two more Premier League trophies with Manchester City and, most recently, a first-ever Turkish Super Lig title with Istanbul Basaksehir prompted FIFA.com to catch up with him to discuss the significance of his latest title, how 'The Invincibles' influenced the rest of his career and his future plans once he decides to hang up his boots.
"I knew that winning with Basaksehir would be something even bigger. I would take one title with Basaksehir rather than three with Galatasaray because it means more. It’s something greater."
No change in World Ranking
Discover
Belgium
Pts. 1765
France
Pts. 1733
Brazil
Pts. 1712
England
Pts. 1661
Uruguay
Pts. 1645
Croatia
Pts. 1642
Status quo remains in Women's Ranking
Discover
USA
Pts. 2181
Germany
Pts. 2090
France
Pts. 2036
Netherlands
Pts. 2032
Sweden
Pts. 2007
England
Pts. 1999
As the world’s number one sport, football is uniquely placed to strengthen initiatives that can improve the lives of young people around the world.
