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.
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!"
FIFA World Cup
If Pele is the Humphrey Bogart, and Rinus Michels the Martin Scorsese, then Mario Zagallo is football's Clint Eastwood – a true virtuoso at both performing and directing.
The trailblazing winger hadn’t kicked a ball for his country one month before Sweden 1958 began, but somehow got Vicente Feola to denounce the age-old, flair-dependent Brazilian script and started every game, before helping Seleção retain gold Chile 1962.
Zagallo was then the filmmaker as his all-star crew made cinematic gold at Mexico 1970.
The ‘Old Wolf’ nevertheless hunted more. If Katharine Hepburn could become the only person to touch an Oscar four times, he could do the same with football’s most prestigious prize. He duly lifted the FIFA World Cup™ for a still-record fourth time as Carlos Alberto Parreira’s insightful assistant at USA 1994.
On the 50th anniversary of the Azetca apogee of ‘The Beautiful Team’, the 88-year-old gentleman chatted to FIFA.com about that tournament, his playing days and more.
If Pele is the Humphrey Bogart, and Rinus Michels the Martin Scorsese, then Mario Zagallo is football's Clint Eastwood – a true virtuoso at both performing and directing.
The trailblazing winger hadn’t kicked a ball for his country one month before Sweden 1958 began, but somehow got Vicente Feola to denounce the age-old, flair-dependent Brazilian script and started every game, before helping Seleção retain gold Chile 1962.
Zagallo was then the filmmaker as his all-star crew made cinematic gold at Mexico 1970.
The ‘Old Wolf’ nevertheless hunted more. If Katharine Hepburn could become the only person to touch an Oscar four times, he could do the same with football’s most prestigious prize. He duly lifted the FIFA World Cup™ for a still-record fourth time as Carlos Alberto Parreira’s insightful assistant at USA 1994.
On the 50th anniversary of the Azetca apogee of ‘The Beautiful Team’, the 88-year-old gentleman chatted to FIFA.com about that tournament, his playing days and more.
Jairzinho was exceptional at the 1970 World Cup. But you have to mention Pele, Tostao, Rivellino, Clodoaldo, Gerson. Gerson was the best No10, the best midfielder I’ve seen in my life.
DENMARK
When she was ten years old, Pernille Harder was asked by her teacher to write down what she wanted to do in life. The resulting essay stated clearly that this little Danish girl not only wanted to become a professional footballer; she wanted to be the best in the world.
Some believe that Harder has, in fact, already attained this long-held ambition. The Denmark forward was named UEFA’s Player of the Year in 2018 and, the same year, ranked No1 when The Guardian published its list of the world’s top 100 female footballers.
There is no denying, however, that the 27-year-old is not as well known or celebrated across the world as the likes of Megan Rapinoe and Marta. And there is no question that this lower global profile reflects the fact that Harder has not yet appeared in the game’s global showpiece.
In this interview, she speaks about missing out on the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the experience of being there as a Sweden fan and explains why she’ll be leaving Wolfsburg at the end of her current contract.
When she was ten years old, Pernille Harder was asked by her teacher to write down what she wanted to do in life. The resulting essay stated clearly that this little Danish girl not only wanted to become a professional footballer; she wanted to be the best in the world.
Some believe that Harder has, in fact, already attained this long-held ambition. The Denmark forward was named UEFA’s Player of the Year in 2018 and, the same year, ranked No1 when The Guardian published its list of the world’s top 100 female footballers.
There is no denying, however, that the 27-year-old is not as well known or celebrated across the world as the likes of Megan Rapinoe and Marta. And there is no question that this lower global profile reflects the fact that Harder has not yet appeared in the game’s global showpiece.
In this interview, she speaks about missing out on the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the experience of being there as a Sweden fan and explains why she’ll be leaving Wolfsburg at the end of her current contract.
I have one more year on my contract and, after that, I think I will look to see what comes next. Not because I’m not satisfied here; I just want new challenges.
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)
