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.
USA
Landon Donovan will be forever synonymous with his playing career on the USA national team, having been a ubiquitous protagonist in many of the country’s modern successes on the international stage.
But he’s started writing a new chapter in his life: Coach Landon Donovan. Or, to be precise: Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and Manager of San Diego Loyal Landon Donovan. Taking charge of a new club – the Loyal compete in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, a division below Major League Soccer (MLS) – in his hometown was an opportunity he could not turn down.
Donovan has been rightly praised for assembling a coaching staff consisting of both men and women. One of his most trusted confidantes is Carrie Taylor, who describes the USMNT legend as being "like a brother to me.” Taylor was the first female coach in professional men’s soccer in the USA.
FIFA.com caught up with the 39-year-old in the middle of preparations for his second season in charge to hear about his coaching journey so far, his guiding philosophies, and to gain insight on how Donovan the coach is different to Donovan the player.
Landon Donovan will be forever synonymous with his playing career on the USA national team, having been a ubiquitous protagonist in many of the country’s modern successes on the international stage.
But he’s started writing a new chapter in his life: Coach Landon Donovan. Or, to be precise: Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and Manager of San Diego Loyal Landon Donovan. Taking charge of a new club in his hometown was an opportunity he could not turn down.
FIFA.com caught up with the 39-year-old in the middle of preparations for his second season in charge to hear about his coaching journey so far, his guiding philosophies, and to gain insight on how Donovan the coach is different to Donovan the player.
When you’re learning the stories of 25 young men, you develop more compassion. You grow to really love them as people and you treat them like they’re your sons.
Sweden
In recent weeks, the headlines in the Swedish press have been all about the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifying, five years after he announced his international retirement in the wake of the UEFA EURO.
Sebastian Larsson was one Zlatan’s team-mates at France 2016, where the Blagult failed to make the knockout phase after finishing bottom of Group E. Thirty-one at the time and already an international for eight years, it would not have been a surprise had Larsson also called time with Sweden.
But five years later Larsson is, at 35, still indispensable to the team. Moreover, he wore the captain's armband during the opening qualifiers for Qatar 2022, as Sweden kicked off their Group B campaign with two wins.
In conversation with FIFA.com, the midfielder talks freely about his country's ambitions. He also reminisces about the 17 years he spent in England, and shares his memories of training with Thierry Henry and his pride at pulling on Sweden’s famous yellow jersey more than 120 times.
In recent weeks, the headlines in the Swedish press have been all about the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifying, five years after he announced his international retirement in the wake of the UEFA EURO.
Sebastian Larsson was one Zlatan’s team-mates at France 2016. Thirty-one at the time and already an international for eight years, it would not have been a surprise had Larsson also called time with Sweden.
But five years later Larsson is, at 35, still indispensable to the team. Moreover, he wore the captain's armband during the opening qualifiers for Qatar 2022, as Sweden kicked off their Group B campaign with two wins.
In conversation with FIFA.com, the midfielder reminisces about the 17 years he spent in England and shares his pride at pulling on Sweden’s famous yellow jersey more than 120 times.
The things I learned from Arsenal's Invincibles were incredible. Their mentality, their quality on the pitch, the way they worked hard in training... they were completely focused.
Brazil
As a 27-year-old right-back was preparing to tackle the indecipherable puzzle that was Neymar in 2012, he got a tap on the shoulder, spun round, and received some words of advice. Not from his Mirassol coach or one of the Brazilian fourth-flight side’s senior players, but from his 11-year-old son.
Fast-forward a few years and that miniature mentor was Neymar’s team-mate in a Brazil squad that kicked off FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifying with a 5-0 thumping of Bolivia. Rodrygo’s rise has, indeed, mimicked his nickname, 'O Rayo'.
The winger broke records for Santos, including becoming the youngest Brazilian to score in the Copa Libertadores, before signing for Real Madrid as a 17-year-old. He netted his first goal for Los Blancos within a minute of his debut, and on his UEFA Champions League bow in November 2019, became the youngest Brazilian to score in the competition and the second-youngest player to register a hat-trick in it after Raul.
FIFA.com caught up with Rodrygo to discuss his World Cup aspirations, Real Madrid’s bid for domestic and continental glory, Neymar, Casemiro, Karim Benzema and more.
As a 27-year-old right-back was preparing to tackle the indecipherable puzzle that was Neymar in 2012, he got a tap on the shoulder, spun round, and received some words of advice. Not from his Mirassol coach or one of the Brazilian fourth-flight side’s senior players, but from his 11-year-old son.
Fast-forward a few years and that miniature mentor was Neymar’s team-mate in a Brazil squad that kicked off FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifying with a 5-0 thumping of Bolivia. Rodrygo’s rise has, indeed, mimicked his nickname, 'O Rayo'.
FIFA.com caught up with Rodrygo to discuss his World Cup aspirations, Real Madrid’s bid for domestic and continental glory, Neymar, Casemiro, Karim Benzema and more.
Ever since I understood what football is, I have dreamed of playing in the World Cup. The World Cup in Brazil is something amazing.
BRAZIL
“Surviving for long in a country that has 200 million Seleção coaches is impossible,” summarised Luiz Felipe Scolari of what many deem the most demanding job in football.
Mario Zagallo was A Seleção’s eighth coach in the five years leading up to Mexico 1970. Carlos Alberto Parreira was their fourth appointment in little over a year in 1991. Scolari became the fourth in nine months ten years later. Only one man in history – Flavio Costa, who was in charge between 1944 and ’50 - has spent over five years in the canary-yellow chair.
A man who is not only surviving, but thriving in the proverbial poisoned chalice in set to double that statistic. Tite has won 38 and lost just four of 52 matches. The 59-year-old has masterminded Brazil’s best-ever start to a World Cup qualifying campaign. And fundamentally in a land where, to many, futebol-arte is as paramount as three points, he’s keeping the insatiable satiated.
Tite took time out from his hectic schedule – he watches and analyses matches with the regularity other Brazilians drink coffee – to chat to FIFA.com about the upcoming clashes with Colombia and Argentina, Diego Maradona, Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Alisson, and why he took a year out from coaching to study the beautiful game.
“Surviving for long in a country that has 200 million Seleção coaches is impossible,” summarised Luiz Felipe Scolari of what many deem the most demanding job in football.
But although only one man in history – Flavio Costa, who was in charge between 1944 and ’50 - has spent over five years in the canary-yellow chair, a man who is not only surviving, but thriving with the proverbial poisoned chalice in set to double that statistic.
Tite has won 38 and lost just four of 52 matches. The 59-year-old has masterminded Brazil’s best-ever start to a World Cup qualifying campaign. And fundamentally in a land where, to many, futebol-arte is as paramount as three points, he’s keeping the insatiable satiated.
Tite took time out from his hectic schedule – he watches and analyses matches with the regularity other Brazilians drink coffee – to chat to FIFA.com about the upcoming clashes with Colombia and Argentina, Diego Maradona, Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Alisson, and why he took a year out from coaching to study the beautiful game.
Argentina have great individuals. For me, Brazil against Argentina, as well as being a World Cup qualifier, it’s another competition in itself.
Italy, Denmark climb as qualifiers make their mark
Discover
Belgium
Pts. 1783.38
France
Pts. 1757.3
Brazil
Pts. 1742.65
England
Pts. 1686.78
Portugal
Pts. 1666.12
Spain
Pts. 1648.13
Malta join the party, USA stay top
Discover
USA
Pts. 2192
Germany
Pts. 2091
France
Pts. 2032
Netherlands
Pts. 2023
Sweden
Pts. 2009
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.
