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.
Sweden
Caroline Seger stands on the verge of history. Over the next week, the Sweden skipper will make her 214th and 215th international appearances, becoming the most-capped player not only in her country, but the entire continent of Europe.
The record to which she is about to lay claim is currently shared by two of the game’s greats: Birgit Prinz and Therese Sjogran. The latter was a midfield mentor to Seger in her early days with the national team and is now sporting director at her club, FC Rosengard. She also happens to be her best friend.
But for all the glory - and personal bragging rights - that becoming a European record-breaker will bring, Seger is looking deeper into the horizon. The upcoming Olympics - her fourth - glistens there invitingly, and so too does next year’s UEFA Women’s EURO. Should her form, fitness and motivation levels remain high, we might even see the 36-year-old lead out Sweden in 2023, at what would be her fifth FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and 14th major tournament in yellow and blue.
There was, therefore, plenty to look forward to as Seger sat down with FIFA.com to discuss setting benchmarks, scoring penalties and smoothing the path for Ferrari-driving youngsters.
Caroline Seger stands on the verge of history. Over the next week, the Sweden skipper will make her 214th and 215th international appearances, becoming the most-capped player not only in her country, but the entire continent of Europe.
But for all the glory that becoming a European record-breaker will bring, Seger is looking deeper into the horizon. The upcoming Olympics - her fourth - glistens there invitingly, and so too does next year’s UEFA Women’s EURO. Should her form, fitness and motivation levels remain high, we might even see the 36-year-old lead out Sweden in 2023, at what would be her fifth FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and 14th major tournament in yellow and blue.
There was, therefore, plenty to look forward to as Seger sat down with FIFA.com to discuss setting benchmarks, scoring penalties and smoothing the path for Ferrari-driving youngsters.
In all my years with the national team, I don’t ever remember us playing as well as we did at the World Cup in France.
Peru
The undisputed first-choice for his country, Pedro Gallese was one of Peru's key figures when they graced the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ after a 36-year absence from the world stage.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2007, when he was an unused substitute, kickstarted his career and paved the way for him turning professional a year later. He debuted with the senior national team in 2014, although it would be current coach, Ricardo Gareca, who came to depend on his litheness and reflexes when he took up the reins back in March 2015.
Since then, the player they call El Pulpo (the Octopus) or Tarantula has only ever missed games through injury, setting two records in the process: he is Peru’s most-capped goalkeeper (62 appearances to date) and the one with the most FIFA World Cup qualifying games to his name (18).
Now one of the pillars of the team, Gallese spoke with FIFA.com about Peru's weak start in the qualifiers for Qatar 2022, where they currently sit second-last with just one point from four games, as well as their next opponents and qualification chances. In addition, he talked about his beginnings in the game, his hobbies, life with MLS side Orlando City and the upcoming Copa America.
The undisputed first-choice for his country, Pedro Gallese was one of Peru's key figures when they graced the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ after a 36-year absence from the world stage.
The player they call El Pulpo (the Octopus) or Tarantula has set two records in the process: he is Peru’s most-capped goalkeeper (62 appearances to date) and the one with the most FIFA World Cup qualifying games to his name (18).
Now one of the pillars of the team, Gallese spoke with FIFA.com about Peru's weak start in the qualifiers for Qatar 2022, where they currently sit second-last with just one point from four games, as well as their next opponents and qualification chances. In addition, he talked about his beginnings in the game, his hobbies, life with MLS side Orlando City and the upcoming Copa America.
Even if I never get to experience it again, I’ll remember every minute of those three games in Russia.
Spain
"We footballers believe that, because we’re monitored more, we won’t suffer from heart problems.
"However, cases like mine, and others even more serious, show that unfortunately that’s not the case," says Iker Casillas on what concerns him most today, his 40th birthday.
On 1 May 2019, his life was turned upside down. The 2010 world champion, Spain icon and goalkeeping legend suffered a heart attack while training with his club Porto.
That day everything changed for him and he had to leave behind what he loved most, playing football, bringing his motivation and enthusiasm to new projects instead.
To coincide with his 40th birthday, FIFA.com chatted to Casillas about these projects and reminisced about some of the key moments in his glittering and trophy-laden career.
"I treasure everything," he told us, "because the good times were exceptionally good, while the not-so-good ones can make you even better."
"We footballers believe that, because we’re monitored more, we won’t suffer from heart problems. However, cases like mine, and others even more serious, show that unfortunately that’s not the case," says Iker Casillas on what concerns him most today, his 40th birthday.
On 1 May 2019, his life was turned upside down. The 2010 world champion suffered a heart attack while training with his club Porto.
That day everything changed for him and he had to leave behind what he loved most, playing football, bringing his motivation and enthusiasm to new projects instead.
To coincide with his 40th birthday, FIFA.com chatted to Casillas about these projects and reminisce about some of the key moments in his glittering career.
Spain in 2010 were a very balanced side. We knew we'd always score and that we were hard to score against.
Podium unchanged ahead of busy schedule
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
Dutch on the podium, USA retain top spot
Discover
USA
Pts. 2200.39
Germany
Pts. 2089.23
Netherlands
Pts. 2038.61
France
Pts. 2029.93
Sweden
Pts. 2016.63
England
Pts. 1973.98
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.
