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.
PERU
It came as no surprise when Claudio Pizarro formally announced his retirement in June, as it had been widely expected that Peru’s most successful footballing export would hang up his boots at the conclusion of this year’s Bundesliga, the league where he spent 20 of his 24 years as a professional.
With the national team he played 85 games, competing four times in the Copa America and five times in World Cup qualifying campaigns. He also bowed out as Peru’s fifth-highest scorer courtesy of his 20 international goals.
At club level, the man they dubbed the 'Andean Bomber', won 20 titles and set several records in Germany. He also became the top Peruvian marksman in Europe with 253 goals, and the fourth most prolific Latin American in European Cup/Champions League history.
Pizarro, who encouraged his compatriots with an emotional letter before Peru’s World Cup play-off with New Zealand despite not having been called up for the game, and who extended his contract with Werder Bremen by six days to help the club avoid relegation, chatted about all this and more in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.
It came as no surprise when Claudio Pizarro formally announced his retirement in June, as it had been widely expected that Peru’s most successful footballing export would hang up his boots at the conclusion of this year’s Bundesliga, the league where he spent 20 of his 24 years as a professional.
With the national team he played 85 games, competing four times in the Copa America and five times in World Cup qualifying campaigns. He also bowed out as Peru’s fifth-highest scorer courtesy of his 20 international goals.
At club level, the man they dubbed the 'Andean Bomber', won 20 titles and set several records in Germany. He also became the top Peruvian marksman in Europe with 253 goals, and the fourth most prolific Latin American in European Cup/Champions League history.
Pizarro, who encouraged his compatriots with an emotional letter before Peru’s World Cup play-off with New Zealand despite not having been called up for the game, and who extended his contract with Werder Bremen by six days to help the club avoid relegation, chatted about all this and more in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.
I'd like to help one or more of my compatriots to have a career similar to mine. I think that would be beneficial to Peruvian football.
TURKEY
Everyone remembers 'The Invincibles', the Arsenal team that went unbeaten throughout the entire 2003/04 Premier League. But what is not often acknowledged is the impact some of that squad's youngsters made.
At the age of 18 years and ten months, Gael Clichy, who made 12 Premier League appearances that season at left-back, filling in for the injured Ashley Cole, became the youngest player to win a Premier League medal – a record which has since been eclipsed by Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Historic achievements and success has followed Clichy from there. Two more Premier League trophies with Manchester City and, most recently, a first-ever Turkish Super Lig title with Istanbul Basaksehir prompted FIFA.com to catch up with him to discuss the significance of his latest title, how 'The Invincibles' influenced the rest of his career and his future plans once he decides to hang up his boots.
Everyone remembers 'The Invincibles', the Arsenal team that went unbeaten throughout the entire 2003/04 Premier League. But what is not often acknowledged is the impact some of that squad's youngsters made.
At the age of 18 years and ten months, Gael Clichy, who made 12 Premier League appearances that season at left-back, filling in for the injured Ashley Cole, became the youngest player to win a Premier League medal – a record which has since been eclipsed by Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Historic achievements and success has followed Clichy from there. Two more Premier League trophies with Manchester City and, most recently, a first-ever Turkish Super Lig title with Istanbul Basaksehir prompted FIFA.com to catch up with him to discuss the significance of his latest title, how 'The Invincibles' influenced the rest of his career and his future plans once he decides to hang up his boots.
"I knew that winning with Basaksehir would be something even bigger. I would take one title with Basaksehir rather than three with Galatasaray because it means more. It’s something greater."
Saudi Arabia
When Jorge Solari’s Saudi Arabia side arrived in the USA in the summer of 1994 for the FIFA World Cup™, expectations were not especially high given that it was the country’s maiden appearance at the global showpiece.
Against all odds, however, The Green Falcons made history by qualifying for the Round of 16 on their World Cup debut. After losing their opening game to the Netherlands, they recorded their first victory at the finals with a 2-1 defeat of Morocco. They then stunned the footballing world by overcoming Belgium thanks to Saeed al Owairan’s fantastic individual effort, which remains one of the most memorable FIFA World Cup moments.
And although Saudi Arabia took part in four of the next six World Cup editions, their USA 1994 appearance remains the most notable. FIFA.com sat down with Fuad Anwar, the first player to score for Saudi Arabia at the World Cup, and asked him about that historic maiden appearance and why The Green Falcons have been unable to replicate that success in subsequent editions.
When Jorge Solari’s Saudi Arabia side arrived in the USA in the summer of 1994 for the FIFA World Cup™, expectations were not especially high given that it was the country’s maiden appearance at the global showpiece.
Against all odds, however, The Green Falcons made history by qualifying for the Round of 16 on their World Cup debut. After losing their opening game to the Netherlands, they recorded their first victory at the finals with a 2-1 defeat of Morocco. They then stunned the footballing world by overcoming Belgium thanks to Saeed al Owairan’s fantastic individual effort, which remains one of the most memorable FIFA World Cup moments.
And although Saudi Arabia took part in four of the next six World Cup editions, their USA 1994 appearance remains the most notable. FIFA.com sat down with Fuad Anwar, the first player to score for Saudi Arabia at the World Cup, and asked him about that historic maiden appearance and why The Green Falcons have been unable to replicate that success in subsequent editions.
"Scoring goals is the striker's responsibility, so it meant a lot for a defensive midfielder to find the target at the World Cup against a team like the Netherlands."
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.
![#Italy90 | West Germany v England [Extended Highlights] | 1990 World Cup Semi-Final](https://img.fifa.com/image/upload/t_p3/looibajozqqxrd10d0ju.jpg)
