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.
Women's Football
Emma Hayes’ Chelsea story encapsulates the recent history of English women’s football. When she took charge in 2012, The Blues were – in words of Hayes herself – “an amateur team”. And they were far from alone.
Just eight years on, Chelsea stand as the antithesis of amateurism. Hayes’ side, in fact, embody the vision, ambition and slick professionalism that has transformed the FA WSL into women’s football’s go-to destination.
Pulling off the two biggest transfers of 2020, in signing first Sam Kerr, then Pernille Harder, provided prominent proof of their standard-bearer status.
Hayes’ task? To maintain domestic supremacy and challenge Lyon's European hegemony by moulding her embarrassment of attacking riches into a fully functioning unit. And if anyone is equipped for the job, it is the straight-talking Londoner.
Long renowned as one of the game’s foremost coaches, the 44-year-old – who took her first steps in the profession when she was just 20 – seems to be at the peak of her formidable powers. And as Hayes told FIFA.com, she has returned refreshed from football’s Covid-enforced lay-off and is relishing the challenge of leading her team into an uncertain but exciting new era.
Emma Hayes’ Chelsea story encapsulates the recent history of English women’s football.
When she took charge in 2012, The Blues were – in words of Hayes herself – “an amateur team”. And they were far from alone.
Just eight years on, Chelsea stand as the antithesis of amateurism. Hayes’ side, in fact, embody the vision, ambition and slick professionalism that has transformed the FA WSL into women’s football’s go-to destination. Pulling off the two biggest transfers of 2020, in signing first Sam Kerr, then Pernille Harder, provided prominent proof of their standard-bearer status.
Hayes’ task? To maintain domestic supremacy and challenge Lyon's European hegemony by moulding her embarrassment of attacking riches into a fully functioning unit. And if anyone is equipped for the job, it is the straight-talking Londoner.
As Hayes told FIFA.com, she has returned refreshed from football’s Covid-enforced lay-off and is relishing the challenge of leading her team into an uncertain but exciting new era.
I have high hopes for the Champions League. But I also know that for us to achieve what we want to, the environment here needs to be more demanding than it’s ever been.
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.
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.
