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.
FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
Even as a nine-year-old Kyah Simon knew it was significant when Cathy Freeman became Australia’s first individual indigenous Olympic gold medallist in 2000. The reverberations of that breakthrough sporting moment Down Under are still being felt by many indigenous athletes, Simon as much as anyone.
“Having a shared culture and being proud Aboriginal women, that is what had added resonance with me,” said Simon. “It showed me that Aboriginal women can be successful so it was huge in terms of inspiration and belief for a nine-year-old girl.”
The Sydneysider has been a key figure for virtually every major moment achieved by the Matildas over the past decade. From pivotal FIFA Women’s World Cup™ goals and even a continental trophy-clinching spot-kick, Simon has achieved a great deal.
After nearly a decade spent alternating between USA’s NWSL and Australia’s W-League each year, Simon is now enjoying a new stage of her career in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. In this interview, the 29-year-old tells FIFA.com about her new European odyssey, the pain of missing France 2019 through injury, excitement for the 2023 Women’s World Cup on home soil and those memories of the Sydney Olympics.
Even as a nine-year-old Kyah Simon knew it was significant when Cathy Freeman became Australia’s first individual indigenous Olympic gold medallist in 2000. The reverberations of that breakthrough sporting moment Down Under are still being felt by many indigenous athletes, Simon as much as anyone.
“Having a shared culture and being proud Aboriginal women, that is what had added resonance with me,” said Simon. “It showed me that Aboriginal women can be successful so it was huge in terms of inspiration and belief for a nine-year-old girl.”
The Sydneysider has been a key figure for virtually every major moment achieved by the Matildas over the past decade. From pivotal FIFA Women’s World Cup™ goals and even a continental trophy-clinching spot-kick, Simon has achieved a great deal.
But, as she tells FIFA.com there are more goals to realise over the coming few years, not least of all at a home Women’s World Cup in 2023.
To have the World Cup experience on home soil and having the whole country’s focus on the tournament, like we experienced at the Olympics in 2000, will be huge.
#PELE80
“I’m crying with joy. Can’t I cry with joy?” an emotional Pele asked his wife Marcia as she passed him a tissue during his interview with FIFA to commemorate his 80th birthday.
Pele was understandably emotional as he discussed his childhood – and recounted an amusing story – football achievements and extreme gratitude at what the sport has given him.
“We had the World Cups Brazil won in which I participated,” he said. “The championships Santos won, the youth championships in which I participated. The travels, New York Cosmos.
“Where God put me I was fortunate to succeed. If I say anything is missing it would be very ungrateful.”
Pele also discussed his biggest hobby outside of football and delivered a message for the kids of today in this must-see interview.
“I’m crying with joy. Can’t I cry with joy?” an emotional Pele asked his wife Marcia as she passed him a tissue during his interview with FIFA to commemorate his 80th birthday.
Pele was understandably emotional as he discussed his childhood – and recounted an amusing story – football achievements and extreme gratitude at what the sport has given him.
“We had the World Cups Brazil won in which I participated,” he said. “The championships Santos won, the youth championships in which I participated. The travels, New York Cosmos.
“Where God put me I was fortunate to succeed. If I say anything is missing it would be very ungrateful.”
Pele also discussed his biggest hobby outside of football and delivered a message for the kids of today in this must-see interview.
In these 80 years of Pele, the only thing missing is landing on the moon. When there is football on the moon, I’ll go there and have a kickaround.
Women's Football
Think of Erin McLeod and you’ll doubtless form a picture of one of her generation’s foremost goalkeepers.
You’ll think of the four FIFA Women’s World Cups, the 118 Canada caps and the Olympic bronze medal. You might even know that she’s an artist and philanthropist, and that she has gained renown for her work as a motivational speaker and eloquent advocate on LGBTQ+ issues, human rights and female empowerment.
What you’re unlikely to realise is that these achievements belie a life and career blighted by pain and self-doubt. Beyond several serious physical injuries, McLeod has contended with identity and self-worth issues, an eating disorder, bouts of depression and a painful divorce.
Now 37, the veteran has not played for her country in well over a year, missed the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ with injury and is unsure of her prospects of being selected for next year’s Olympics. Yet it was a positive, serene and, thankfully, happy McLeod who spoke to FIFA.com from Iceland, where she has been playing on loan with Stjarnan.
Think of Erin McLeod and you’ll doubtless form a picture of one of her generation’s foremost goalkeepers.
You’ll think of the four FIFA Women’s World Cups, the 118 Canada caps and the Olympic bronze medal. You might even know that she’s an artist and philanthropist, and that she has gained renown for her work as a motivational speaker and eloquent advocate on LGBTQ+ issues, human rights and female empowerment.
What you’re unlikely to realise is that these achievements belie a life and career blighted by pain and self-doubt. Beyond several serious physical injuries, McLeod has contended with identity and self-worth issues, an eating disorder, bouts of depression and a painful divorce.
Now 37, the veteran has not played for her country in well over a year, missed the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ with injury and is unsure of her prospects of being selected for next year’s Olympics. Yet it was a positive, serene and, thankfully, happy McLeod who spoke to FIFA.com from Iceland, where mindfulness is helping her enjoy a new lease of life.
Looking back, I think I could have progressed a little quicker as a young player if I had been less self-critical and known how to react to disappointments. And what I know for sure is that I would have enjoyed my football a lot more.
Podium unchanged, Malta on the move
Discover
Belgium
Pts. 1765
France
Pts. 1752
Brazil
Pts. 1725
England
Pts. 1669
Portugal
Pts. 1661
Spain
Pts. 1639
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.
