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.
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."
Egypt
In 2018, Egypt finally ended their 28-year FIFA World Cup™ drought. Having made their second appearance at the global showpiece at Italy 1990, the Pharaohs returned to the world stage at Russia 2018. That achievement raised the hopes of Egyptian football fans that the glory days were set to return, only for these to be cruelly dashed by the team’s shock exit in the last 16 at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2019 on home soil.
That inevitably led to many calls for a change, as fans feared another downward spiral similar to the one the team suffered after winning three successive continental finals between 2006 and 2010. As a result, then coach Javier Aguirre was sacked with many demanding the appointment of an Egyptian to replace him. The Egyptian Football Federation (EFF) launched a nationwide search for the right candidate – someone with proven leadership skills, a record of winning trophies, and capable of commanding the respect of the players.
One man ticked all these boxes and more, and that was Hossam El Badry. He was handed the Egyptian reins in September 2019 and shortly after had his first official engagements with two qualifying fixtures for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Since then, El Badry has been working hard on his plan for the team over the next couple of years. While football was suspended, he took time to meet with FIFA.com for an exclusive two-part interview encompassing his appointment as Egypt coach, his goals for the team and his opinion on Egypt’s group in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
In 2018, Egypt finally ended their 28-year FIFA World Cup™ drought. Having made their second appearance at the global showpiece at Italy 1990, the Pharaohs returned to the world stage at Russia 2018. That achievement raised the hopes of Egyptian football fans that the glory days were set to return, only for these to be cruelly dashed by the team’s shock exit in the last 16 at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2019 on home soil.
That inevitably led to many calls for a change, as fans feared another downward spiral similar to the one the team suffered after winning three successive continental finals between 2006 and 2010. As a result, then coach Javier Aguirre was sacked with many demanding the appointment of an Egyptian to replace him. The Egyptian Football Federation (EFF) launched a nationwide search for the right candidate – someone with proven leadership skills, a record of winning trophies, and capable of commanding the respect of the players.
One man ticked all these boxes and more, and that was Hossam El Badry. He was handed the Egyptian reins in September 2019 and shortly after had his first official engagements with two qualifying fixtures for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Since then, El Badry has been working hard on his plan for the team over the next couple of years. While football was suspended, he took time to meet with FIFA.com for an exclusive two-part interview encompassing his appointment as Egypt coach, his goals for the team and his opinion on Egypt’s group in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
"We recognise the importance of the task facing us and that we want to lead Egypt back to glory."
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)
