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.
North Macedonia
When he swapped Lugano for Leeds United in 2017, there was little to hint at the adventures that have since ensued for Ezgjan Alioski.
The club he had joined were preparing for an eighth successive season in England’s second tier, and ended that campaign mired in mid-table mediocrity. His national team was faring worse still, having sunk to an all-time low 162nd in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking after a run of 14 losses in 18 matches.
His subsequent rise reflects that of his teams. As Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds became an impressive, much-lauded addition to England’s Premier League, and North Macedonia made history by qualifying for the UEFA EURO and inflicting Germany’s first FIFA World Cup™ qualifying defeat in two decades, Alioski emerged as a key man.
Maintaining that skywards trajectory is now his target. But before tackling future challenges, it was time to reflect on events and people that, over the past few years, have utterly transformed his life and career.
When he swapped Lugano for Leeds United in 2017, there was little to hint at the adventures that have since ensued for Ezgjan Alioski.
The club he had joined were preparing for an eighth successive season in England’s second tier, and ended that campaign mired in mid-table mediocrity. His national team was faring worse still, having sunk to an all-time low 162nd in the World Ranking after a run of 14 losses in 18 matches.
His subsequent rise reflects that of his teams. As Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds became an impressive addition to England’s Premier League, and North Macedonia made history by qualifying for the UEFA EURO and inflicting Germany’s first FIFA World Cup™ qualifying defeat in two decades, Alioski emerged as a key man.
Maintaining that skywards trajectory is now his target. But before tackling future challenges, it was time to reflect on events and people that, over the past few years, have transformed his life and career.
Having beaten Germany, we have to believe we can get to the World Cup. In my opinion, we're better than Romania, Iceland and the others in our group
Denmark
Morten Wieghorst was 15 when Danish Dynamite exploded on the global stage.
A dream formed as he saw that team plant Denmark’s flag on the football map, and was realised 12 years later when Wieghorst lined up alongside Michael Laudrup, his evergreen idol, at the country’s second World Cup. The Danes’ Class of 98 were a fine team in their own right, had enjoyed major-tournament successes, and ultimately outperformed their beloved predecessors by reaching the quarter-finals.
But Wieghorst knows now, as he did then, that results alone do not determine a team’s standing and legacy. That’s why the former midfielder has no hesitation in declaring those heroes of 86 superior to his generation and the 1992 EURO winners, and is reflected in the ethos he has brought to his current job.
That job is No2 to Kasper Hjulmand, the coach who has led Denmark to three wins from three in Qatar 2022 qualifying - each more impressive than the last. An aggregate score of 14-0 in those matches reflects that style has been now allied to solidity and, as Wieghorst told FIFA.com, this dynamic Danish team heads to the EURO aiming not just to compete, but to entertain.
Morten Wieghorst was 15 when Danish Dynamite exploded on the global stage. He watched, starry-eyed, as the stylish, fluid football of Laudrup, Lerby, Elkjaer and the Olsens illuminated the 1986 FIFA World Cup™, winning the hearts of neutrals everywhere.
A dream formed as he saw that team plant Denmark’s flag on the football map, and was realised 12 years later when Wieghorst lined up alongside Laudrup, his evergreen idol, at the country’s second World Cup. But the former midfielder has no hesitation in declaring those heroes of 86 superior to his generation and the 1992 EURO winners, and is reflected in the ethos he has brought to his current job.
That job is No2 to Kasper Hjulmand, the coach who has led Denmark to three wins from three in Qatar 2022 qualifying - each more impressive than the last. An aggregate score of 14-0 in those matches reflects that style has been now allied to solidity and, as Wieghorst told FIFA.com, this dynamic Danish team heads to the EURO aiming not just to compete, but to entertain.
The most important thing is to go as far as we possibly can and also, I feel, to make people stop and watch.
England
Emile Heskey is one of Leicester’s favourite football sons. A local lad made good, he lifted two League Cups for his hometown team before becoming a treble-winner at Liverpool and earning 62 caps for his country.
In a ‘golden generation’ of dazzling individual English talent, he was the unflashy personification of humility and hard work. Michael Owen, for whom he acted as a tireless and selfless foil, still names him – without hesitation – as his best strike partner.
Now 43, Heskey finds himself back at Leicester City, beginning his coaching career where he started out as a player. But he is not, as might have been expected, taking those early steps with Brendan Rodgers’ UEFA Champions League-chasing men’s team. His expertise is instead being utilised with the club’s women, who this season earned promotion to the increasingly star-studded WSL 1, topping the second tier with two games to spare.
Heskey is relishing the coaching experience, too, and explained why in an interview in which he took time to reflect on his England career and assess the Three Lions’ current generation.
Emile Heskey is one of Leicester’s favourite football sons. A local lad made good, he lifted two League Cups for his hometown team before becoming a treble-winner at Liverpool and earning 62 caps for his country.
Now 43, Heskey finds himself back at Leicester City, beginning his coaching career where he started out as a player. His expertise is being utilised with the club’s women, who this season earned promotion to the increasingly star-studded WSL 1, topping the second tier with two games to spare.
Heskey is relishing the coaching experience, too, and explained why in this exclusive interview.
I would have loved to have won something with that England team because there was so much incredible talent in that generation.
Italy, Denmark climb as qualifiers make their mark
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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
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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.
