Arsène Wenger: “We can do something exceptional”

Looking forward to the 2023-2026 Talent Development Scheme, FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger has marked a spot on the horizon. 

Arsene Wenger, FIFA Chief of Global Football Development speaks during the 73rd FIFA Congress 2023

FIFA Talent Development Scheme moves forward to phase of full implementation

The FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), led by FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger, will now move forward to the phase of full implementation with the aim of helping member associations to fulfil their potential.

FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger during the 73rd FIFA Congress

2023-2027: FIFA President lays out objectives for the future

Upon re-election to serve a second term as FIFA President at the 73rd FIFA Congress, Gianni Infantino took to the stage to thank the assembled member associations for their continued support, making 11 pledges to ensure the global game's continued growth.

 Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA speaks during the 73rd FIFA Congress 2023

2019-2022: four years of record-breaking achievements

During the 2019-2022 cycle, FIFA has further transformed and become a solid and well-respected organisation that develops football across the world.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks from the stage at the 73rd FIFA Congress

FIFA outlines technical development offers for member associations

FIFA has published the Global Football Development Brochure for 2023-2026, which presents the programmes and services that will be available to FIFA member associations over the next cycle (2023-2026) to grow the game even further.

Children play football

Technical Directors and General Secretaries come together in Morocco

How technical directors and general secretaries work together as a ‘leadership team’ was the theme of the FIFA Technical Leadership Introductory Course for new Technical Directors in Rabat, Morocco, between 6-10 March. 

AFC, CAF and Concacaf Technical Directors and General Secretaries at a workshop in Rabat, Morocco

Tatiana Guzman, Nicaragua’s refereeing pioneer

Tatiana Guzmán, the first woman to take charge of a men’s top-flight match in Nicaragua, is one of six female Video Match Officials at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™

Tatiana Guzmán FIFA Referee from Nicaragua

Match officials continue to prepare for Australia & New Zealand 2023

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ promises to be a tournament of highs. While the players are readying themselves for July’s quadrennial showpiece, match officials have been working equally judiciously to achieve a similar goal.

A theory class during the FIFA match officials seminar in Montevideo 

VAR decision communications trials confirmed by The IFAB

At its 137th Annual General Meeting held in London today, The IFAB approved a number of changes and clarifications to the Laws of the Game and confirmed the decision to trial the broadcasting of VAR review decisions in-stadium and to a live TV audience.

Representatives of the four British Member Associations pictured with the FIFA President, and Presidents of Concacaf and the OFC

Collina: We want to make VAR interventions more understandable for spectators

Whether a game of football is played at the FIFA World Cup, or on a park pitch anywhere in the world, the Laws of the Game are universal. How are they determined, and who decides them?

Referee Ma Ning checks the Video Assistant Referee during the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 1st Round match between Al Ahly FC and Auckland City FC

Match Officials on track for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™

 The roads leading to FIFA World Cup™ competitions are long and winding for both teams and referees alike, especially when the competitions in question are held on the other side of the world.

Referees is seen during the theory session

Kathryn Nesbitt: I think all the doors are open now

At the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, American Assistant Referee Kathryn Nesbitt helped create history as part of a sextet of women – three referees, three assistant referees – who were selected to officiate on football’s biggest global stage.

Kathryn Nesbitt pictured during the Qatar 2022 World Cup match between England and Senegal

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ match officials fine tune preparations in Doha

This week, the Qatari capital of Doha has been the setting for European match officials, the first of three preparatory seminars.

FIFA Women's World Cup Referees Seminar I - Doha

New version of FIFA Natural Turf Guidelines now available

The FIFA Quality Programme team has released an updated version of the Natural Turf Guidelines, which were previously known as the Manager’s Guide to Natural Turf Pitches. 

National Turf Guidelines

Official Match Ball for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ unveiled by adidas

Today, OCEAUNZ, the Official Match Ball of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ was launched in spectacular fashion in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia, travelling over the iconic Sydney skyline by helicopter before arriving at Marks Park overlooking Bondi Beach.

OCEAUNZ, the Official Match Ball of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

Match officials appointed for FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022™ 

The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the match officials who will be in charge at the forthcoming FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022™.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Referee Seminar

Match officials appointed for FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™

Today, the FIFA Referees Committee announced the names of the match officials selected for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™. 

Team One armband on Neuza Back

A year brimming with innovation and technical progress 

As the experts who make up the FIFA Technical Study Group have already pointed out, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ was a showcase for captivating football and great tactical and technical innovations that will be shaping trends for years to come.

FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger during the FIFA Coaches on the Ground Workshop

Coach Educators Development Pathway growing in Canada

FIFA and CONCACAF organized a coach education seminar in Canada. The objective is that each association has a training path by the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA Coach Education-Canada Coach Educators Development Pathway

TSG experts assess finalists and tournament as a whole 

Presenting the TSG’s conclusions and analysis of the two finalists was FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger, who was joined by former Germany striker and ex-Nationalmannschaft and USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Technical Study Group Media Briefing

Poland’s Szymon Marciniak to referee FIFA World Cup final

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has been appointed as referee for Sunday's 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Sunday 18 December.

Referee Szymon Marciniak looks on during match between Argentina and Australia

FIFA Player App proving huge success at FIFA World Cup 2022™

When the FIFA World Cup™ began just a few weeks ago, all participating players received a unique QR code that gave them access to the FIFA Player App, a bespoke analytics tool that improves players’ access to and use of match data.

Player App graphic

Technical Study Group Media Briefing - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (12 December 2022)

Introducing ‘Al Hilm’, The Official Match Ball of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Finals

Introducing Al Hilm – unveiled today be adidas as the Official Match Ball for the semi-finals and final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. 

Lusail Stadium, FIFA World Cup Trophy and Official adidas tournament ball

TSG runs the rule over the semi-finalists and Morocco’s magnificent run

The team of experts headed up by Jurgen Klinsmann gave its fourth press conference of the tournament to deliver its latest findings. 

Wenger and Klinsmann analyse the group phase

In providing a comprehensive analysis of the group phase, the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) offered up their learnings from the competition’s first 48 matches. 

Technical Study Group Media Briefing - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Technical Study Group Media Briefing - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (4 December 2022)

TSG shares latest analysis at second media briefing 

At first glance, it is easy to think football is always the same: two teams of 11 players try to put the ball in each other's net while preventing their opponents from doing the same. But football is always different too,.

Collina: We’ve asked referees to calculate stoppage time more accurately

At the FIFA referees media day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup, the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, gave notice that time lost due to different specific events that transpire during matches would be compensated for.

FIFA Referee Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina on stage during FIFA Summit

FIFA TSG provides its first analysis of Qatar 2022

FIFA TSG reviewed team performances after first phase of Qatar 2022 group games. Three trends emerged after first sixteen matches.

FIFA Technical Study Group members Alberto Zaccheroni of Italy, Sunday Oliseh of Nigeria and Faryd Mondragon of Colombia attend the Technical Study Group Media Briefing 

FIFA Insight Live: A Training Centre Podcast

Over the course of 64 matches, The FIFA Training Centre will take you inside the game like never before. The team in Qatar will be in the stadium analysing systems of play and tactical strategies.

Germany v Japan: Group E - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

New stage in the development of coaches in Canada 

Canada hosted a coach education workshop with 26 participants benefitting from the expertise of FIFA educators'

 FIFA Coach educators development pathway in Montreal

FIFA President announces additional USD 1 billion investment for football development

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has welcomed leaders from Member Associations representing all six Confederations to Doha for the FIFA Executive Summit 2022 – and urged all in attendance to continue their work together to unite through football,.

FIFA Summit - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Collina: With SAOT we can make quicker and more accurate decisions

 Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) and the Al Rihla – the official adidas FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ match ball featuring connected ball technology – were the focal points of a media day showcasing the technologies. 

Referees Media Day - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

FIFA unveils Technical Study Group for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ 

FIFA today unveiled the Technical Study Group (TSG), which will provide cutting-edge analysis of all FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ matches while increasing and developing understanding of the game across the world. 

Technical Study Group - Group Photo

Technical Study Group Press Conference - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Technical Study Group Press Conference - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (19 November 2022)

Daniele Orsato to referee Opening Match of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

Italy’s Daniele Orsato has been selected as the referee for the Opening Match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, 20 November. 

Referee Daniele Orsato of Italy

FIFA President gives full support to World Cup referees

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his full support to the match officials at the FIFA World Cup, praising their dedication, professionalism and ability to cope with pressure.

Asian Technical Leaders learn to cope with pressure 

18 technical leaders from across Asia were challenged to develop their understanding of pressure, stress and anxiety during the latest FIFA Technical Leadership Development Seminar in the Philippines between 7-9 November. 

FIFA Technical Leadership Development Seminar in the Philippines 

Development and diversity at FIFA Coach Educators course in India

FIFA has organized the onsite course for coach educators' in India. The aim is to raise the competences of Indian coach educators, coaches and ultimately that of the players.

Development and diversity at FIFA coach educators` course in Goa, India

FIFA to introduce enhanced football intelligence at FIFA World Cup 2022™

During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, FIFA will share the most modern insights, metrics and performance data in tournament history with the worldwide TV and online audience, together with the participating teams and their players. 