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.
Qatar 2022
Having coached several clubs in IR Iran, China PR and Saudi Arabia, the Croatian Branko Ivankovic was already an established name in Asian football before taking the helm of the Omani national team at the beginning of this year.
Now he is hoping to draw on his extensive experience to lead Oman to a maiden appearance at the FIFA World Cup™ - coping along the way with the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lack of international matches.
Ivankovic has enjoyed considerable success over the years. As assistant to Miroslav Blazevic, he helped Croatia to third place at France 1998 then led IR Iran to Germany 2006. At club level, he has also picked up silverware in Croatia, China and Iran.
In conversation with FIFA.com, Ivankovic spoke about the difference between coaching clubs and national teams, his new challenge with Oman, his experience coaching IR Iran at Germany 2006, and the success enjoyed by Croatia at France 1998 and Russia 2018.
Having coached several clubs in IR Iran, China PR and Saudi Arabia, the Croatian Branko Ivankovic was already an established name in Asian football before taking the helm of the Omani national team at the beginning of this year.
Now he is hoping to draw on his extensive experience to lead Oman to a maiden appearance at the FIFA World Cup™.
Ivankovic has enjoyed considerable success over the years. As assistant to Miroslav Blazevic, he helped Croatia to third place at France 1998 then led IR Iran to Germany 2006. At club level, he has also picked up silverware in Croatia, China and Iran.
In conversation with FIFA.com, Ivankovic spoke about the difference between coaching clubs and national teams, his new challenge with Oman, his experience coaching IR Iran at Germany 2006, and the success enjoyed by Croatia at France 1998 and Russia 2018.
The great result we achieved at France 98 not only surprised the Croatian people but also the rest of the world.
France
Marius Tresor began his France career only two years after arriving in the country and at a time when the fortunes of the national team were low.
Twelve years later, the forward-turned-centre-half retired with back problems following two appearances at the FIFA World Cup™, the second of them ending with a classic semi-final against West Germany. The sight of Tresor scoring a superb volley in that game and then celebrating it with tears in his eyes is the stuff of World Cup legend.
“I came so close to the greatest prize of all,” remarked Tresor years later, having seen subsequent generations of Bleus complete the job he and his team-mates started by turning France into a team of winners.
One of his country's all-time greats, Tresor spoke to FIFA.com about an outstanding career in which he made 65 international appearances, 23 of them as captain.
Marius Tresor began his France career only two years after arriving in the country and at a time when the fortunes of the national team were low.
Twelve years later, the forward-turned-centre-half retired with back problems following two appearances at the FIFA World Cup™, the second of them ending with a classic semi-final against West Germany. The sight of Tresor scoring a superb volley in that game and then celebrating it with tears in his eyes is the stuff of World Cup legend.
“I came so close to the greatest prize of all,” remarked Tresor years later, having seen subsequent generations of Bleus complete the job he and his team-mates started by turning France into a team of winners.
One of his country's all-time greats, Tresor spoke to FIFA.com about an outstanding career in which he made 65 international appearances, 23 of them as captain.
As someone who used to play for France, 1998 was really emotional for me. Even in 2018, it felt like I was part of the team.
Norway
Youth and experience. The delicate, difficult-to-strike balance between these virtues has long been a sought-after football formula.
After enduring nine successive qualifying failures, Norway first saw hope in the former. The emergence of two prodigies in Erling Haaland (20) and Martin Odegaard (21), ably supported by a supporting cast that includes the likes of Sander Berge and Kristoffer Ajer (both 22), prompted justifiable talk of a golden generation.
The solution to the other half of the youth-and-experience equation has been found not only on the pitch, but in the dugout. For in Lars Lagerback, the Norwegians recruited the most seasoned international coach in Europe.
The only question for Norway: whether Lagerback could be convinced to renege on a promise to leave football behind and tend to the forest farm he inherited from his parents. Ultimately, he didn’t need much convincing. The Swede, now 72, had turned his back on retirement once before and, as he told FIFA.com, has no regrets about foregoing the quiet life to guide Norway’s wunderkinds.
Youth and experience. The delicate, difficult-to-strike balance between these virtues has long been a sought-after football formula.
After enduring nine successive qualifying failures, Norway first saw hope in the former. The emergence of two prodigies in Erling Haaland (20) and Martin Odegaard (21), ably supported by a supporting cast that includes the likes of Sander Berge and Kristoffer Ajer (both 22), prompted justifiable talk of a golden generation.
The solution to the other half of the youth-and-experience equation has been found not only on the pitch, but in the dugout. For in Lars Lagerback, the Norwegians recruited the most seasoned international coach in Europe.
The only question: whether Lagerback could be convinced to renege on a promise to leave football behind and tend to the forest farm he inherited from his parents. Ultimately, he didn’t need much convincing. The Swede, now 72, had turned his back on retirement once before and, as he told FIFA.com, has no regrets about foregoing the quiet life to guide Norway’s wunderkinds.
"A lot of people around me think that I’m a bit crazy. But there aren’t many jobs that give you what coaching does."
Portugal into top five, Russia on the move
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Belgium
Pts. 1773
France
Pts. 1744
Brazil
Pts. 1712
England
Pts. 1664
Portugal
Pts. 1653
Uruguay
Pts. 1645
Status quo remains in Women's Ranking
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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.
