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.
Iceland
"They all told me I was crazy," says a smiling Erik Hamren as he reflects on the decision to become Iceland coach.
The Icelandic offer was accepted two years ago next month and, at the time, the former Sweden boss could well understand his friends' misgivings. Iceland had enjoyed a glorious few years, becoming the least populace country to qualify for the UEFA EURO and FIFA World Cup™, but had achieved the unthinkable with an ageing golden generation. The only way, it seemed, was down.
But Hamren ignored the warnings, embraced the challenge and has no regrets. While a period of adaptation and a raft of injuries have combined for a predictably bumpy ride, Iceland are in the EURO qualifying play-offs and could yet reach a remarkable third successive major championship.
The COVID-19 outbreak has kept them waiting for their semi-final against Romania but Hamren’s hope is that another famous night in Reykjavik lies in store. In this interview with FIFA.com, he discusses his reasons for taking the job, his experiences of the shutdown and the challenge of shaping a new era in the land of ice and fire.
"They all told me I was crazy," says a smiling Erik Hamren as he reflects on the decision to become Iceland coach.
The Icelandic offer was accepted two years ago next month and, at the time, the former Sweden boss could well understand his friends' misgivings. Iceland had enjoyed a glorious few years, becoming the least populace country to qualify for the UEFA EURO and FIFA World Cup™, but had achieved the unthinkable with an ageing golden generation. The only way, it seemed, was down.
But Hamren ignored the warnings, embraced the challenge and has no regrets. While a period of adaptation and a raft of injuries have combined for a predictably bumpy ride, Iceland are in the EURO qualifying play-offs and could yet reach a remarkable third successive major championship.
In this interview with FIFA.com, he discusses his reasons for taking the job, his experiences of the shutdown and the challenge of shaping a new era in the land of ice and fire.
They told me things could only get worse for Iceland! But I saw the challenge and I was excited by it. I thought, ‘We can do this’.
FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
To play in a World Cup on home soil is surely the stuff of childhood backyard fantasies.
But for Steph Catley and her fellow Matildas that dream is about to become reality after Australia and New Zealand were recently named as hosts of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
A star of the exciting attack-minded Australian team, the left-sided overlapping full-back is likely to be front and centre when the Aussies welcome the world in 2023
Catley recalls her childhood when female football role-models were close to non-existent. On the back of exponential growth for the Women’s World Cup, the 26-year-old says a new generation of children will have the opportunity to be enthused by the world’s best.
The Matildas’ star also tells FIFA.com about her excitement when the host was announced, what it will mean for the local game and the thought process behind her recent move to English giants Arsenal.
To play in a World Cup on home soil is surely the stuff of childhood backyard fantasies.
But for Steph Catley and her fellow Matildas that dream is about to become reality after Australia and New Zealand were recently named as hosts of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
A star of the exciting attack-minded Australian team, the left-sided overlapping full-back is likely to be front and centre when the Aussies welcome the world in 2023
Catley recalls her childhood when female football role-models were close to non-existent. On the back of exponential growth for the Women’s World Cup, the 26-year-old says a new generation of children will have the opportunity to be enthused by the world’s best.
The Matildas’ star also tells FIFA.com about her excitement when the host was announced, what it will mean for the local game and the thought process behind her recent move to English giants Arsenal.
"To imagine playing at home in front of a big home crowd, and in front of family and friends, honestly it is a dream come true."
MEXICO 1970
Tostao was in his pomp as the FIFA World Cup Mexico™ approached, having finished as the leading marksman, with ten goals in six games, in South American qualifying.
But in the blink of an eye, he freefell from being the golden boy of Brazilian football to languishing on a Houston, Texas operating table with his hopes of playing in Mexico seemingly blinded.
‘The Little Coin’ made a miraculous recovery from a detached retina to play at that tournament. And, boy, did he play as Brazil conquered and wowed the world.
Fifty years on from their thrilling 4-1 victory over Italy in the Azteca, Tostao spoke to FIFA.com about making it to Mexico 1970 against all odds, operating in a position he had never played in in his career, why he felt he had to attempt an audacious nutmeg on Bobby Moore and the shooting of Rivellino.
He also told us about being overcome by emotion during the Final, whether ‘The Beautiful Team’ is the best national side in history, and why Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be compared to Pele.
In the blink of an eye Tostao freefell from being the golden boy of Brazilian football to languishing on a Houston, Texas operating table with his hopes of playing at the 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ seemingly blinded.
‘The Little Coin’ made a miraculous recovery from a detached retina to play at that tournament. And, boy, did he play as Brazil conquered and wowed the world.
Fifty years on from their thrilling 4-1 victory over Italy in the Azteca, Tostao spoke to FIFA.com about making it to Mexico 1970 against all odds, operating in a position he had never played in in his career, why he felt he had to attempt an audacious nutmeg on Bobby Moore and the shooting of Rivellino.
He also told us about being overcome by emotion during the Final, whether ‘The Beautiful Team’ is the best national side in history, and why Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be compared to Pele.
"I think Pele was better than all of them. If you take the qualities of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, put them together, then you’d have a player to compare to Pele!"
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.
The Football Association
Mental health takes centre stage in England
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Men's Ranking #4
Women's Ranking #6
![#Italy90 | West Germany v England [Extended Highlights] | 1990 World Cup Semi-Final](https://img.fifa.com/image/upload/t_p3/looibajozqqxrd10d0ju.jpg)
![#Mexico70 | Brazil v Italy [Extended Highlights] | 1970 World Cup Final](https://img.fifa.com/image/upload/t_p3/fq4dszjwhq3egvjuioz2.jpg)
