FIFA 1904 February 2019

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DIDIER DESCHAMPS

“YOU CAN ALWAYS IMPROVE” ENGLISH EDITION

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LETTER FROM A FIFA LEGEND

Dear readers of FIFA 1904, I am sometimes in awe of the impact that the game has had on my

believe they could achieve anything. It was a pivotal moment in

life and where it has taken me. If I were to pick my two favourite

football and in women’s sport.

childhood football moments, I’d first choose what I imagine so many of my peers, and so many of you, have experienced and

After playing, I entered coaching following the completion of a

enjoyed, and that’s playing with my family. I spent hours in the

university degree in education. I quickly realised that football has

yard with my three brothers and I remember loving being outside,

the power to have a much greater impact on young people’s lives

competing with them and enjoying football.

than anything I could teach them in a traditional academic setting. I hope that, as a FIFA Legend, I can grow and expand the impact

My second standout memory came when I was 12 and I saw the US

of the game to deliver this experience to more youth players and

women’s national team play for the very first time. Unfortunately,

ensure everyone has access to football!

„HEAD GAMES“ / Variance Films / Everett Collection / Keystone

their games were not televised back then. I remember, as I sat in the stands with my parents, that I loved watching how hard they

I’d like to help FIFA in its work to leverage the FIFA Women’s World

played, how competitive they were and how physical the game was.

Cup and other events to encourage more football associations to

I remember Michelle Akers got a red card and then shortly after-

invest in programming for women and girls. This will make a positive

wards, the coach was sent off. It was the most intense sporting

impact not only on football, but also on communities, as football

atmosphere I had ever been a part of and I loved every second of it!

teaches young people so much more than just playing the game.

In the car on the way back to our hotel, I told my parents “I am going to play for that team one day”.

I am really looking forward to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 in France! There is nothing more exhilarating than playing (or

And I did! While simply playing in a World Cup is incredible and a

watching) our game on the world stage.

dream for any player, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 1999 on home soil was bigger than a childhood dream come true! The event and

Yours in football,

our team inspired a generation of young girls to dream big and

Cindy Parlow Cone FIFA 1904 /

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CONTENTS

FANS 8 Emotions, passion, commitment – the world of the fan in pictures from the football hothouses of Buenos Aires and London. 16 Whether at the stadium or at home: fans use various digital channels to follow football and get closer to other fans. A closer look at “second screens”. 8 16

22 From the humble fan on the terraces to the recipient of corporate hospitality, supporters have changed down the years. 24 FIFA interviews Didier Deschamps about France’s triumph at the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ and the different players’ contributions to their victory. 31 The FIFA Fan Award pays special tribute to the fans.

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COVER PICTURE

Our cover picture shows Didier Deschamps, who has won the World Cup both as a player and a manager. 2

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Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images, Peter Kovalev/TASS/Getty Images, Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Curto de la Torre/AFP

32 You thought you knew every stadium? We take a look at six unique arenas.


FOOTBALL IN PICTURES

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4 THE MONTHS IN PICTURES Captivating Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ – FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 player escorts being greeted. 36 FIRST LOVE Bobrek Coal Mine in Bytom, Poland. 47

47 A CAREER IN PANINI STICKERS Ruud Gullit 54 THEN AND NOW From Mexico City to Moscow.

Tomasz Tomaszewski/VISUM, Bongarts/Getty Images, Popperfoto/Getty Images, Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

58 PHOTO ARCHIVE Brazil welcomes the Jules Rimet Trophy.

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THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL 43 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE “I am convinced that we are starting a year that will forever change the way women’s football is perceived,” says Gianni Infantino ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™.

40 FIFA NEWS AND THE FIFA/COCA-COLA MEN’S AND WOMEN’S WORLD RANKINGS 48 NEWS FROM FIFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS 56 A FIFA LEGEND’S CAREER Dario Šimić 61 CARTOON Mordillo 62 INNOVATIONS The FIFA Technical Study Group’s report: a completely new approach.

54 56 64 PUBLICATION DETAILS

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THE MONTH IN PICTURES

Done and dusted The Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ attracted a global audience (Paris, 8 December 2018).

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Dean Mouhtaropoulos, Getty Images FIFA 1904 /

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THE MONTH IN PICTURES

In the thick of it FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 player escorts are greeted with a high five from Sameh Derbali (centre). Derbali’s Espérance de Tunis side went on to lose 3-0 to local outfit Al Ain at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on 15 December 2018.

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Michael Regan, Getty Images FIFA 1904 /

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FANS

Reinaldo Coddou H.

THROUGH THICK AND THIN

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Experiencing your team’s highs and lows is all part and parcel of being a fan, but what is it actually like to support a club through thick and thin? We get right to the heart of the matter, starting with portraits from two capital cities, London and Buenos Aires – hotbeds of football both. By Alan Schweingruber

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It’s not always easy being a fan. Nick

In England, the view in the provinces is

Hornby, author of Fever Pitch and one of

that London clubs tend to look down their

Arsenal’s most famous supporters, writes

noses on the rest. This naturally cuts no

in the foreword to the reissue of his classic

ice with the capital-dwellers themselves,

book: “When Birmingham City scored

who are far too busy to worry about such

their 89th-minute winner, I felt all the old

matters. Besides, there is usually a derby

familiar feelings associated with Arsenal

going on somewhere, such as Arsenal v.

losing – the disbelief, the nausea, the

Tottenham – one of the oldest and most

determination never to put myself through

famous rivalries – or Millwall v. West Ham.

such a wretched experience again.” The

Anyway, football supporters are not exact-

occasion was the 2011 League Cup final,

ly known for beating around the bush. As

and the sentence perfectly sums up the

Millwall’s notorious fans are wont to

suffering endured by die-hard fans when

chant: “No one likes us, we don’t care.”

things are not going well for their team. It also illustrates how their mood can be

Enjoy the photos!

shaped entirely by the proceedings on the pitch. Of course, Hornby still goes to Arsenal games – not because he is a masochist, but because he is still a fan at heart, every week craving that all-important win, those crucial three points, or maybe simply the buzz that comes from watching your team do well. Just like thousands of other fans in London, which is home to many top clubs and players. The UK capital has 11 professional football clubs, six of which play in the cash-rich Premier League. The only equivalent city with a greater number of clubs that play at a professional level is Buenos Aires, where a staggering 67 teams ply their trade. With so many clubs, stadium-sharing would seem to be a sensible option here and there, but that would be reckoning without the blinkered passion of fans in the Argentinian capital. Waking up on team’s stadium is all part of the support-

It’s hardly the best vantage point in the ground, but something exciting must

er’s ritual, so it is hardly surprising that 60

have been happening on the pitch while this supporter was trying to beat the

of the 67 clubs in Buenos Aires have their

half-time rush. After all, this was the final match of the 2017/18 season in the

own ground – none of which is alike. In

Isthmian League Premier Division – the seventh tier of England’s football pyramid

the two most famous arenas, those of

– and Dulwich Hamlet from South London were playing host to rivals Margate

River Plate (Estadio Monumental) and

from the Kent coast. The match, which took place on 28 April, finished 1-1.

Boca Juniors (La Bombonera), there is also world-class football to be enjoyed. 10

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Sam Mellish

matchday and anticipating going to your


Posters, bottles, TVs, a set of scales, boxes crammed with souvenirs and assorted paraphernalia: tourists and fans can wander into this converted garage in Boca, the most famous district of Buenos Aires, and maybe chance upon a rare find. The makeshift shop is bedecked in the colours of yellow and blue in honour of Boca Juniors, the club for whom a promising

Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images, Reinaldo Coddou H.

player called Diego Maradona once strutted his stuff.

Such cries seldom reach the players’ ears, but no matter: passion for the game is what counts wherever a match is played in the Argentinian capital. This snap was taken in 2009 before a derby match between Atlético Vélez Sarsfield and Huracán.

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FA Cup ties are always a bit special given their one-off nature, and the names of the two teams drawn against each other are often sewn into scarves for sale, as shown here on 7 January 2018. The meeting between London clubs Tottenham Hotspur and

Robin Pope

AFC Wimbledon in that year’s third round ended up 3-0 in the Lilywhites’ favour.

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The Clásico de Avellaneda is one of the most famous derbies in Buenos Aires, as both clubs involved (Club Atlético Independiente and Racing Club de Avellaneda) have long been among the top teams in Argentina. Their rivalry is particularly fierce, as the two stadiums are a mere 300 metres apart.

Even in the football-mad Argentinian capital, the game has to take a rest at some point. That time is generally in May, during the autumn, when the identity of the Primera División’s champions has already been Reinaldo Coddou H., Not Released (NR)

known for some weeks. An opportunity, then, to take some pictures in the streets of the colourful Boca district: taking a break from football clearly never enters the minds of the youngsters there.

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This photo, taken on 9 February 2016, is one of the last shots of West Ham’s legendary Upton Park ground. Some home fans can be glimpsed through the panes of the Bobby Moore Stand during the FA Cup fourth round replay against Liverpool, which the Hammers won 2-1 to secure their passage to the next round. The stadium was pulled down later that year.

This stand, which holds just 150 spectators, is located in the grounds of Argentinian club Victoriano Arenas, whose fans had cause for celebration on many occasions last season: the Greater Buenos Aires team gained promotion to the Primera C Metropolitana, the fourth tier of Argentina’s football league.

Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images, Reinaldo Coddou H.

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iStock (1) / Illustration Fehlbaum

FANS

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The modern fan uses every digital avenue to follow his or her team. Kitted out with a smartphone, video projector, computer and games console, the stay-at-home supporter hardly misses anything on matchdays – in fact, quite the opposite. By Perikles Monioudis

ALWAYS CLOSE TO THE ACTION Those who cannot afford a ticket to the stadium or live far away

All the more so as TV consumption of football continues to decline,

from their favourite team don’t have to miss out on anything in

while platforms such as Twitter and Facebook successfully compete

the digital age, apart from the actual “live” experience. In fact,

for broadcasting rights in sports, as with American football’s NFL.

social platforms now offer a plethora of photos, videos, pictures and information that fans in the stadium simply would not have

Yet conversely, this is actually leading to change on the other side:

time for.

with the direct encouragement of the fans, the pros, clubs and associations are also going digital. They are addressing the fans

It is true to say that we can now speak of a new kind of fan, one

directly: the gap between fans and teams has long been bridged

who doesn’t so much rely on television reporting on matchday,

digitally and information no longer flows in one direction towards

but instead often engages with football in the same place they

the fan, but is mutual, and shared between all interested parties.

also listen to music or play games: in cyberspace. This space not only blurs reality and virtuality, it also extends across the globe,

As a recent study has suggested, in the UK, fans aged between 16

blending the local, regional and international aspects of football.

and 24 still mostly talk about football face to face (89% of re­

iStock (1) / Illustration Fehlbaum

spondents), but they also actively exchange views on private social

DIGITAL FOOTBALL

platforms such as WhatsApp (54%). They post something about

The upshot of this is a new role for fans, who are no longer just

football on the latter media several times a day (8%), once a day

passive viewers of a game or a team. On the contrary, with their

(10%), once a week (25%) or once a month (15%). In other words,

contributions on social networks and platforms, they are now

one in four fans in this age group posts about football once a

actively involved in what they perceive to constitute football. In this

week on private social platforms.

world, the single TV or radio commentator for a game also dis­ appears – replaced by the voices of many thousands of fans who

VIRTUAL FOOTBALL

interpret events on and off the pitch. They are multicultural, diverse

Posts include memes, GIFs, videos and commentaries – including

and, in a manner of speaking, authentic – unfiltered, in any case.

during the game. The “second screen” phenomenon, whereby FIFA 1904 /

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fans watch the game at home on TV while using a second screen (e.g. a tablet) for replays or constantly updated match statistics, is highly popular. More than two thirds of UK fans aged 25 or under follow their team this way. The transition to the virtual game, to football gaming, is thus a small step for many young people – if it’s a step at all. Thus in the UK, three out of four 16-to-19-year-olds enjoy the game on their consoles, while only two out of three actually play football. As a result, a broad-based scene in which the contents of virtual games are posted has long since developed on digital platforms. A virtual Ronaldo scores a virtual dream goal in a virtual game, and in the digital age, this virtual achievement can potentially reach as many people as Ronaldo’s real-life dream goals. It is not uncommon for professional footballers themselves to devote their free time to the virtual game. They follow their virtual market value, the value attached to them by game designers as a track record and considered by gamers around the world as authoritative. It sometimes happens that professional players are dissatisfied with the playing strengths assigned to their virtual namesakes and take to social media to express their displeasure. The modern fan can be close to his or her team thanks to the diverse digital and interactive options. What is more, these fans are a vital part of what football means today, and it is safe to say that they will become even more important in a whole range of

iStock (1) / Illustration Fehlbaum

different ways going forward.

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SNAPSHOT

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Monument to victory When World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps (centre) and his squad walked onto the training pitch at Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines in France, they were greeted by a giant replica of the World Cup trophy and two huge gold stars in recognition of Les Bleus’ achievement in Russia (12 November 2018).

Franck Fife/AFP

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FANS

ALL CHANGE IN THE STADIUMS From the humble fan on the terraces to the recipient of corporate hospitality, supporters have changed in line with the game and its stadium standards down the years. By Perikles Monioudis

You’ve probably seen them on the old newsreels – soberly clad spectators enthusiastically watching the action from the terraces, the men wearing stiff hats, smoking cigarettes or pipes and holding aloft umbrellas or shading their eyes from the sun with folded newspapers, and the boys shaking their rattles. Yes, attending a football match in days of yore was a leisure pursuit principally for males.

GOODBYE TO THE TERRACES The first notable innovation introduced by fans was bringing a transistor radio to games in order to find out as much as possible about the match they were watching, as well as keep tabs on the scores in other games being played around the country. Half-time refreshments might have consisted of a sandwich or piece of fruit brought from home: occasionally, a hip flask would be passed around. It certainly bears no comparison with the matchday experience in stadiums today, when you might miss the start of the second half because you had to queue

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Joy among gentlemen The 1954 World Cup semi-final between West Germany and Austria thrilled those fortunate enough to be in the crowd at the St. Jakob Stadium in Basel, Switzerland.


Up close and personal These Socceroos fans weren’t about to miss their chance for a picture with their hero, Tim Cahill, at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

separately for a snack and a beer. Still, at least modern fans have their own seat to go back to: the older ones will probably not lament the passing of the days when they risked losing their standing position by taking a break.

MORE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION The transistor radio gave way to the smartphone long ago, of course, but a more significant development has been the rise in awareness of diversity and inclusion. For some time now, stadiums have been accessible to all, including disabled people and – at least in the vast majority of countries – women and girls, a trend that has gone hand in hand with the growing popularity of the women’s game. Parents can often be seen sitting with their kids in the family section of the ground, and some stadiums have a crèche for tiny ones. Thankfully, safety has also improved considerably in the wake of tragedies such as those in the Hillsborough and Heysel stadiums, where fans were trampled or crushed to death. A positive development, for sure, and all part of the general drive to make football an all-inclusive sport that can be enjoyed to the fullest – by everyone

iStock (2) / Montage Fehlbaum

who loves the game.

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David Ramos / FIFA via Getty Images

Final preparations Didier Deschamps fine-tunes his plans as he waits for the press conference before the World Cup final (Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, 14 July 2018).


“IT’S NOT ABOUT JUST PICKING THE BEST 23 PLAYERS” Russia 2018 proved to be Didier Deschamps’ finest hour in his coaching career so far as he returned home with the World Cup trophy. In this interview with FIFA 1904, the Frenchman explains how he plotted his young team’s path to glory as well as the role of certain players in their success.

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You also won the World Cup as a player in 1998. Speaking honestly, what are the differences between the top-level players in the modern game and the players from your generation? The players of today’s generation don’t have the exact same personal ities, the same characters or the same interests as we did during my playing days, but they are at a very high level. I had a very young team at the World Cup, but they had an enormous amount of quality. This generation is very carefree, very generous and very enthusiastic. But the

role of a coach is to forge a group because you are holed up together for a long time, 24 hours a day. Altogether, we spent 51 days together so, obviously, as well as the football side of it all, there is also the human angle with players who need to be able to live together and work towards a common objective. The group always has to come first, and my first major decision came when I had to name my final squad of 23. In all honesty, naming a squad of 23 players for a major compe tition, whether it’s for a World Cup or a European Championship, is not about just picking the 23 best players. It’s about forging the best possible group to go as far as possible in the tournament. ­

How would you describe the football that we saw at the World Cup in Russia? Didier Deschamps: First of all, the vast majority, if not all of the teams, were very well organised at the back, which obviously led to very difficult and tight matches. At previous World Cups, the biggest teams had the luxury of growing into the tournament. That was not really the case in Russia – you had to be ready straight away, right from the start of the group stage. Every single team was extremely well prepared physically as well. Of course, that will not win you football matches – that will always come down to creativity and individual talent – but these days, players are increasingly able to put the effort in time and time again, which led to very intense matches played at a high tempo, a lot of one-on-one duels, and therefore little space. Players had to be faster and even more technically sound.

Naming Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez as your first-choice full-backs, even though they had little experience at this level, was regarded by many to be a major risk. Why did you make that decision? For two reasons: first of all, because I picked them, and secondly because they were better than the other two. They both definitely have a different profile to the usual full-back in the modern game. Unfortunately, when some people analyse a full-back’s game, they look far too much at his attacking play, but when you are building a team, a full-back is first and foremost a defender. And these two – Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez – are different as they are both centre-halves by trade. They are both perfectly capable of playing as full-backs, as they did at FIFA 1904 /

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youth level, and they are both excellent defenders, both on the ground and in the air. They are both extremely fit players, as you saw during the tournament. Both of them were decisive. Thanks to them, we had an even more solid and stronger defence. How important is N’Golo Kanté in terms of providing balance in defence or attack? In South America, they call it “the number 5”, even though in Europe it is usually a centre-half who wears the number 5 shirt. But this position is more of a defensive midfielder role. At its origins, it’s not purely a defensive position, but this player sits in front of the centre-backs and also leads the transition from defence to attack. So N’Golo Kanté obviously had a vital role to play, not just in terms of protecting the defence, something he does very, very well by reading the game to break up the opposition play, but also by using the ball well to get us on the front foot. It’s a role that doesn’t get the credit it most certainly deserves. It’s often like that in football. The more creative players – the attackers, of course – steal the headlines, but any coach will tell you that it is this player who is often the first name on the team sheet. He is a key figure because he is at the heart of the game and is the link between attack and defence.

And did you work on anything specific with Paul Pogba, who shone in Russia? Some people have an image of Paul that is far removed from reality. From the very first moment he joined the squad back in 2013, Paul has always put the team first, even though he can give you the impression that he is focused on himself, which isn’t true at all. Paul also played in the 2014 World Cup and at EURO 2016. He’s now 25 26

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Double success Deschamps lifts the World Cup. Left, in 1998 as captain of France (Saint-Denis, 12 July 1998), right, as manager of Les Bleus in Moscow on 15 July 2018.

Patrick Hertzog / AFP

Another unsung hero who had a key role – even though he didn’t score a single goal in Russia – was Olivier Giroud. How would you explain his contribution to Les Bleus? When you play with one centre forward, you need to have players with different profiles in your squad, and Olivier is more of a target man. You can’t expect him to bring the ball down and beat two or three players; that’s not why he is on the pitch. And often, very often, you only realise just how important he is when he’s not there on the pitch. He may not have scored any goals, but he had his fair share of assists and he was heavily involved in the latter stages of our build-up play. He is a player who works defences very hard, and he was also important in terms of our defensive work. He is excellent in the air and as a target man up front, but he is also vital for us when we are defending. He is a real team player, he never stops working and when we lose the ball, he acts as the first line of defence. He really puts the effort in – everyone does, but some less than others – and that is why he is so important. He was very important in our team’s organisation and set-up.


Franck Fife / AFP

and in his prime, so he sets an example for the younger players and is also one of the most experienced members of the squad. He has taken on the role of a leader off the pitch, and he has often had things to say, quite rightly so. If you do speak up and your attitude doesn’t match your words, you won’t be taken seriously. But you can’t say that about Paul. By sitting down and talking to him, I was able to take a huge weight off his shoulders – his relationship with the media. I believe that he has sometimes been unfairly criticised and as soon as he felt that flak, those attacks, he wanted nothing more to do with the media. He had to repair that relationship because it’s part of his job. The media will always have the right to criticise, to be tough on you. You have to accept that, even though it may hurt. Repairing that relationship made him cooler and calmer, which then helped him to obtain respect and recognition for how he is on the pitch. But that’s because he made the first move. He led the group towards its goal. What kind of influence can players have when you are preparing for a big match? For example, if you are gearing up to face a particular player, such as Lionel Messi for example, do you speak about him with all of your players or just with the players who will have the most to do with him, or do you do nothing so as to avoid worrying them? We have a lot of little chats. Obviously I, as the coach, make the decisions, but before I make those decisions, I have to speak to my players first. I won’t be able to convince or force a player to do something if he doesn’t agree with me. At the World Cup, I did something that admittedly wasn’t very instructive for everyone – I had a squad of 23 players, so of course all 23 players were involved – but my coaching team and I held a smaller meeting with the 11 starting players on the eve of the match so that we could talk about various situations. Again, it may go against the coaching manuals – and of course, on the day of the match, everyone knew what they had to do – but as only the 11 starting players were in that meeting, there was a little less wasted time and a little more concentration. Also, we often had some very interesting discussions and they asked me questions about the opposition, their positioning on the pitch, and that was something I greatly appreciated and something that was important and enriching. We certainly didn’t win any matches in those meetings but they helped to give the players the answers before they even stepped out onto the pitch. It goes without saying that the coach has an important role to play, but you are nothing without your players. The pitch belongs to them and they need to decide what they have to do. Of course, you have to do drills and work on the training pitch, but it’s good to talk. As a player, I was also able to get involved in such discussions. If the coach has all of the information to hand, he can make decisions and players have to adapt, but it is also vital that a coach is able to adapt as well. You FIFA 1904 /

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have to adapt to the players, and I for one don’t believe that you can force or convince a player to do something if he or his team-mates don’t agree. When you were getting ready for the final against Croatia, what were the Croatian strengths that you wanted to counter? There were many of them. Croatia are so strong in the centre of the pitch with two excellent players: Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić. They aren’t just creative but also intelligent. They will leave their position in midfield to cut off an angle for a pass, or to prevent an opponent being able to pick out a pass, especially in the middle of the pitch, and they also link up very well with Mario Mandžukić, who flicks on towards the wingers who will already be on the move. They had done all of that in their other matches, so we were aware and keen to take steps to nullify that threat. That’s the defensive side of the game, but to win football matches you have to score goals. Croatia had more possession than us but that wasn’t a case of us just saying: “OK, you can have the ball”. It’s about how you match up. There is always a discussion about teams who have more possession and teams that don’t. In reality, we realised possession doesn’t always equate to efficiency. If a team has more possession than its opponent, and if they are efficient and if they score more goals, all is well. But sometimes you have the ball less, and that was indeed the case for us in certain matches, but that didn’t stop us from being more dangerous and more clinical. Italy, Spain and Germany have all recently been knocked out of the World Cup at the end of the group stage just four years after winning the title. Does that concern you at all ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar? As soon as we got back to the dressing room after the final, I said to my players: “As of this evening, you are no longer the same because you are now world champions”. They won’t change, but the way people look at them certainly will. But amid that euphoria, the need to sit down and analyse can get forgotten. People tend to think that it’s easy once you have done it, that you’ll be able to do it again, but the opposition will also analyse what they did well and not so well, and it’s very difficult to maintain that level of performance. The objective is to stay at that level and even to push on because you can always improve something while continuing to do what you did well, but that doesn’t just apply to us because others will also make progress by building on their strengths. But taking stock and learning from what you did is just as important – if not even more important – after experiencing success. Interview conducted by Fabrice Jouhaud

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Catherine Ivill / Getty Images

Gratitude Deschamps and Kylian MbappĂŠ know what they mean to each other (Kazan Arena, 30 June 2018).


Peruvian passion 40,000 boisterous Peru supporters followed their team in Russia – and were rewarded with the FIFA Fan Award for their efforts.

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FANS

ULTIMATE FANS

The FIFA Fan Award is about to enter its fourth year. What would football be without its genuine supporters? By Perikles Monioudis There is no shortage of awards these

Hillsborough disaster. This moving ges-

Some 40,000 fans made the 14,000-

days for teams, individual players and

ture put sporting rivalry aside for a few

kilometre journey from Peru to the land

coaches who gain plaudits thanks to their

minutes.

of the 2018 hosts and provided colourful

titles and trophies, but for the fans – who

and boisterous support. With their pas-

are the lifeblood of the game – recogni-

The 2017 award was won by fans of

sion and commitment, they lit up the

tion is rather thin on the ground. Thank-

Celtic, whose final home game of the

tournament and were an inspiration to

fully, FIFA attempted to put this right in

season fell on the 50 th anniversary of

lovers of football all over the world.

2016 by creating its Fan Award, the recip-

their triumph in 1967, when they became

ients of which are chosen every year by

the first British club to win the European

Who will win the 2019 FIFA Fan Award?

the fans themselves on FIFA.com.

Cup. Celtic fans honoured their team,

That’s up to the fans themselves.

who were known as the Lisbon Lions as

BUILDING BRIDGES

the final took place in Portugal’s capital,

The first FIFA Fan Award in 2016 went

with a 360-degree tifo display around

to the supporters of Borussia Dortmund

Celtic Park.

and Liverpool, who together memorably You’ll Never Walk Alone, a song that

PERUVIANS TRAVEL EN MASSE TO RUSSIA

was first sung by supporters of The Reds

When you’ve been waiting for a certain

at home games back in 1963 and has

event to happen for the best part of four

since travelled around the world, tran-

decades, you have to seize the opportu-

scending language barriers. Fans of the

nity when it comes along – which is

German club have also adopted the

precisely what Peru fans did when their

anthem, and when the two sides met

team qualified for a FIFA World Cup™

for a UEFA Europa League tie at Anfield

after a 36-year absence. They did so in

in April 2016, they joined Liverpool

style too, travelling to Russia in their

supporters to give a wholehearted rendi-

droves and criss-crossing the vast country

tion of the tune in a show of solidarity to

to support La Blanquirroja wherever they

commemorate the 27th anniversary of the

played.

Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

belted out the latter’s unofficial anthem

FIFA 1904 /

31


FANS

STUNNING VIEWS For many fans, the weekend is all about a trip to the match. It’s not always about famous, high-tech arenas though. We have picked out six unique venues that maybe aren’t quite so well known.

Envato (1)

By Alan Schweingruber

32

/ FIFA 1904


ESTADIO HERNANDO SILES (BOLIVIA) The Bolivian national stadium, surrounded by tower blocks in the centre of La Paz, is one of the highest in the world, standing at around 3,600m above sea level. It currently has a capacity of more than 41,000. At this altitude, it is hard to breathe without a period of acclimatisation, which goes a long way towards explaining why teams such as Brazil, Chile and Argentina have all succumbed to defeat in important matches here. In 1963, Bolivia won the Campeonato Sudamericano (now the Copa América) on home soil. Thirty-four years later they hosted it

Filippo Manaresi, Alex Livesey/Getty Images

again... and finished as runners-up.

ESTÁDIO MUNICIPAL DE BRAGA (PORTUGAL) There are very few people in Portugal who have never heard of Sporting Braga’s stadium, which was carved out of the Monte Castro quarry high above the city. There are only two steep stands, one on each side of the pitch, which are connected and supported by 80 steel cables. A scoreboard hangs on the face of the rocks behind one of the goals, and there is a spectacular view over Braga behind the other. The stadium, which hosted matches during EURO 2004, was the brainchild of architect Eduardo Souto de Moura and has a capacity of more than 30,000.

FIFA 1904 /

33


MMABATHO STADIUM (SOUTH AFRICA) This stadium in Mafikeng is undoubtedly one of the world’s most unique stadiums, not least due to the eye-catching layout of its stands. The stadium holds almost 60,000 fans, some of whom no doubt make their way home with rather sore necks after watching a match from some unusual angles. Built in 1981, the stadium is now primarily used as a training ground by local university teams.

KAOHSIUNG NATIONAL STADIUM (CHINESE TAIPEI) Whenever Japanese architect Toyo Ito’s ideas become reality, the result is always interesting to say the least. Building work on this snake-shaped stadium, which began in 2006, took three years to complete. It’s not just the design that makes this stadium that hosted the World Games in 2009 special, however, but also the ecological principles behind it: the roof holds almost 9,000 solar panels, providing Any extra power is then sold on to the state-owned electricity company. Even the raw materials used to build the stadium are recyclable. The stadium has a capacity of over 40,000 and is currently home to Taiwan Power Company FC. 34

/ FIFA 1904

Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

enough energy to run the entire arena.


STADION KANTRIDA (CROATIA) Even though this small stadium dates back to 1912 and HNK Rijeka have had to look for a new home ground, special mention must go to this breathtakingly stunning arena. Sitting proudly above the harbour town of Rijeka, the stadium has slipped out of the public eye recently as it has not hosted a single game in the past three years. There is no denying the beauty of its clifftop location, however, as it affords incredible views out over the Adriatic. When it was in use, the stadium had a capacity of slightly more than 10,000 – but happily, there are plans to build a brand-new stadium in exactly the same

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images, Fashion Industries/Alamy

spot.

THE FLOAT @ MARINA BAY (SINGAPORE) With space for a new stadium in Singapore not exactly easy to come by, a floating pitch was simply placed in the bay itself. This facility has been used not only for football matches but also for other sporting events and national celebrations. A 30m-high fence around the pitch also helps to ensure that wayward balls don’t make a splash landing in the surrounding water. The stand – on dry land – has space for some 30,000 people, and tickets for the Singapore Grand Prix are always in great demand.

FIFA 1904 /

35


36

/ FIFA 1904


FIRST LOVE PLACE Bobrek Coal Mine in Bytom, Poland DATE 19 February 2015 TIME 14:32 PHOTOGRAPHER Tomasz Tomaszewski

VISUM FIFA 1904 /

37


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www.wanda-group.com


PRESIDENT´S MESSAGE

THE LEVEL OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IS INCREDIBLY HIGH I have been working in football for over two

Future document is to double, to 60 million,

For all the plans for the future, may this be

decades now, and ever since the beginning,

the number of female football players by

the time when everyone praises the FIFA

I have often heard variations of the same

2026. Or that we established a dedicated

Women’s World Cup France 2019™ for what

statement: “The future of the game lies in

Women’s Football Division, which drafted

it already is: the year’s biggest and most

women’s football”. While I certainly do not

FIFA’s first comprehensive strategy to

fascinating football competition. Period.

question the sincerity of anyone who says

develop the women’s game.

this, I reckon it is about time we viewed the matter in a different light.

My point here is that, although the future clearly promises much in terms of growth

Because it seems to me that spending so

and success, women’s football is the game

many years predicting the same future might

of the present — and I cannot think of a

be an indication that we have a persistent

better moment to showcase this than now,

problem now, in the present. It is a problem

in 2019. I challenge anyone to watch any of

of perception: so many people have grown

the 52 matches at this year’s FIFA Women’s

so used to treating women’s football as an

World Cup™ and come to a different

ever-evolving supporting act that they may

conclusion.

well be missing out on the main attraction.

Michael Regan / FIFA via Getty Images

I am convinced that we are starting a year Mind you, I am not being naive when I say

that will forever change the way women’s

that: it is obvious that there is massive room

football is perceived. The eyes of football

for development and improvement in

fans from around the world will be on

women’s football and that there is a huge

France in a few months’ time and I am quite

gap to be covered in comparison with the

sure that, for those who are not familiar

men’s game. As the FIFA President, I know

with the women’s game, the reaction will

this very well. I must know. It was not for

be of collective awe at how far it has

any other reason that one of the key goals

already come, at how incredibly high its

presented in our FIFA 2.0: The Vision for the

level already is.

Yours in football,

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President FIFA 1904 /

39


FIFA NEWS

INFANTINO AT G20 SUMMIT FIFA Football for Schools Programme and mentioned several

President Gianni Infantino presented football to the world’s

examples from the countries present where the sport is already

most powerful leaders as a force for good that has the potential

helping to achieve these objectives, such as the use of football

to help them address some of the challenges faced in modern

to teach life skills in schools across the world, integration of

society. On this note, he highlighted that “there are at least five

migrants through football projects and football clinics that

areas where football can convey a message of hope and be

address violence against women. “Football can bring us

used as a powerful tool: economic growth, which includes

together and make the world a more prosperous, educated,

infrastructural development, education, health, gender equality

equal and perhaps even peaceful place. These are also the

and integration, particularly for immigrants and refugees.”

priorities of world leaders, and FIFA is honoured to be a credible

During his address, the FIFA President also presented the

and reliable partner for them,” he added.

Li Ming / imago

During a speech at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, FIFA

40

/ FIFA 1904


SPAIN JOIN U-17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP ROYALTY Spain were crowned FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup champions for the first time in their history with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mexico in the final. New Zealand wrapped up their historic performance at Uruguay 2018 by finishing with the bronze medal after a 2-1 win over Canada in the match for third place. “It’s indescribable. I can’t begin to tell you what it feels like because it hasn’t sunk in yet. This is a special, absolutely one-of-a-kind moment and we know what it means for girls all over the world and for Spanish women’s football. It’s massive,” said Spain coach Toña Is after the victory.

GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL FIFA has launched its first-ever global strategy for women’s

Speaking about the strategy’s launch, Secretary General Fatma

football, which charts the course for how FIFA will work with

Samoura said: “As FIFA’s first female Secretary General, I am

confederations and member associations (MAs), clubs and

proud to launch our first-ever global strategy for women’s

players, the media, fans and other stakeholders to realise the full

football. The women’s game is a top priority for FIFA and via our

potential that exists within the women’s game. FIFA strongly

new strategy, we will work hand-in-hand with our 211 member

believes that women’s football brings one very important

associations around the world to increase grassroots participa-

benefit to the many young girls and women involved in the

tion, enhance the commercial value of the women’s game and

game – empowerment. Encouraging empowerment through

strengthen the structures surrounding women’s football to

football, growing the game, getting more girls involved at an

ensure that everything we do is sustainable and has strong

earlier stage and keeping women in football longer are all key

results. Most importantly, it will make football more accessible

elements of FIFA’s Women’s Football Strategy.

to girls and women and encourage female empowerment, a subject of great importance, now more than ever before.”

Maddie Meyer / FIFA via Getty Images

YOUTH OLYMPIC FUTSAL TOURNAMENTS The Women’s Youth Olympic Futsal Tournament Buenos Aires

Brazil picked up the gold medal in the Men’s Youth Olympic

2018 was a landmark competition for two reasons, as the

Futsal Tournament. Beaten finalists Russia also enjoyed an

discipline made its Olympic debut and FIFA organised its first

eye-catching campaign, boasting superb team organisation and

women’s futsal competition. That context made Portugal’s run

a genuine physical presence. Meanwhile, Egypt surprised many

to gold a historic one, as were the silver and bronze medals

by taking a well-deserved bronze medal.

collected by Japan and Spain respectively. Together with Bolivia and Thailand, the three medallists were a cut above the other five teams in the competition. FIFA 1904 /

41


FIFA NEWS

UN SPORTS FOR CLIMATE ACTION FRAMEWORK The UN Climate Change Secretariat launched the new Sports for

for Climate Action Framework, and I am pleased to confirm that

Climate Action Framework, which was developed with the

FIFA will support the vision outlined in the new framework,”

sports sector. The aim of the new framework is to gather sports

said FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura.

organisations, teams, athletes and fans in a concerted effort to raise awareness and spark action to meet the goals of the Paris

FIFA had previously joined the UN Climate Change Secretariat’s

Agreement on climate change.

Climate Neutral Now initiative in 2016, becoming the first international sports organisation to do so. By joining that

“Our commitment to protecting our climate remains unwavering.

campaign, FIFA had pledged to continue to strive to become

We recognise the critical need for everyone to help implement

greenhouse gas emission-neutral by the mid-21st century, and

the Paris Agreement and accelerate the change needed to reach

committed to measuring, reducing and offsetting all of its own

greenhouse gas emission neutrality in the second half of the

greenhouse gas emissions at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

21st century. FIFA welcomes the UN’s development of the Sports

FIFA COUNCIL TAKES KEY DECISIONS

MATCH OFFICIALS APPOINTED FOR FRANCE 2019

The eighth meeting of the FIFA Council was held in Kigali,

The FIFA Referees Committee has selected 27 referees and

Rwanda, where the members of FIFA’s strategic and decision-

48 assistant referees, representing 42 different countries, for

making body discussed a number of pivotal aspects regarding

the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™. The journey to

the future of FIFA competitions. In order to continue and

the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™ began for an initial group

strengthen the consultation process concerning the possibility

of female referees and assistant referees from all over the world

of establishing an overhauled FIFA Club World Cup, as well as

in September 2015, when FIFA officially started its Road to

a worldwide Nations League, the FIFA Council agreed to set

France 2019 women’s refereeing project. As part of this project,

up a task force. This task force will operate under the direction

preparatory seminars have taken place over the last three years

of the Bureau of the Council, which consists of the FIFA

for referees and assistant referees, focusing on protecting

President and the confederation presidents, and will present

players and the image of the game, as well as on consistency in

its proposals at the next FIFA Council meeting, scheduled to

interpreting the Laws of the Game. Technical expertise, football

take place in Miami from 14 to 15 March 2019.

understanding, fitness and the ability to read the game and teams’ tactical approaches to each match have been the main

The packed agenda for the gathering in Kigali included decisions

topics covered at these seminars.

related to FIFA tournaments scheduled for the upcoming years, chief among them a 100% increase in prize money for the FIFA

The FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 will be played from

Women’s World Cup France 2019™, as well as the approval of

7 June to 7 July in Grenoble, Le Havre, Lyon, Montpellier, Nice,

the regulations for an invigorated FIFA Forward Development

Paris, Reims, Rennes and Valenciennes. The final will take place

Programme over the course of the 2019-2022 cycle.

in Lyon on Sunday, 7 July 2019. The complete list of match officials is available here: https://bit.ly/2Ca4u1p

42

/ FIFA 1904


Matthias Kern / Getty Images

Vastly experienced German referee Bibiana Steinhaus is one of the officials appointed for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™.

FIFA 1904 /

43


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FIFA/COCA-COLA WOMEN´S WORLD RANKING

Rank Team

+ / – Points

Rank Team

+ / – Points

Rank Team

+ / – Points

Rank Team

+ / – Points

1 USA

0

2123

55 Slovenia

-1

1424

109 Cook Islands

1159

Cyprus **

1120

2 Germany

0

2057

56 Belarus

-3

1423

110 Solomon Islands

-5

1153

Armenia **

1104

3 France

1

2046

57 Venezuela

-3

1421

111 Georgia

-5

1138

Guinea **

1077

4 England

-1

2021

58 Trinidad and Tobago

-6

1414

112 Luxembourg

-3

1136

Eritrea **

1060

5 Canada

0

2006

59 Turkey

1

1410

113 Samoa

1130

Gabon **

1052

6 Australia

0

1999

60 IR Iran

-2

1408

114 Zambia

1119

Sri Lanka **

971

7 Netherlands

3

1987

61 Northern Ireland

0

1398

115 Mongolia

1118

Pakistan **

926

8 Japan

-1

1984

62 India

-3

1395

116 Ethiopia

-5

1117

Syria **

921

9 Sweden

0

1976

63 Ecuador

-1

1393

117 Suriname

-5

1113

Liberia **

877

10 Brazil

-2

1964

64 Israel

-1

1392

118 Singapore

-11

1093

Iraq **

873

11 Korea DPR

0

1938

65 Peru

0

1380

119 Nicaragua

-6

1092

Kuwait **

870

2

12 Spain

0

1920

66 Greece

1

1376

120 Burkina Faso

-6

1062

British Virgin Islands **

867

13 Norway

0

1902

67 Bosnia and Herzegovina

1

1370

121 FYR Macedonia

-6

1056

Qatar **

864

14 Korea Republic

0

1880

68 Côte d’Ivoire

1

1363

122 American Samoa

-5

1047

Cayman Islands **

849

15 China PR

0

1871

69 Azerbaijan

1

1360

123 Kosovo

-5

1035

Belize **

825

16 Italy

1

1859

70 Equatorial Guinea

-16

1356

124 Tajikistan

-5

1031

Bhutan **

771

17 Denmark

-1

1842

71 Kazakhstan

0

1351

125 Bangladesh

1009

Burundi **

519

18 Switzerland

0

1832

72 Fiji

9

1350

126 Namibia

1006

Gambia *

1183

-6

19 New Zealand

1

1819

73 Haiti

-1

1349

127 St Lucia

-6

992

Cambodia *

1069

20 Scotland

-1

1810

74 Philippines

0

1347

128 St Kitts and Nevis

-6

989

Central African Republic *

1056

21 Belgium

2

1803

Uruguay

-1

1347

129 Bermuda

-6

987

Timor-Leste *

981

22 Iceland

0

1798

76 Bulgaria

-1

1340

130 Barbados

-6

984

Togo *

962

23 Austria

-2

1797

77 Hong Kong

0

1330

131 Tanzania

-6

976

Niger *

891

24 Ukraine

1

1728

78 Albania

-2

1325

132 Maldives

-6

960

Comoros *

837

25 Russia

1

1713

79 Morocco

-1

1300

133 St Vincent and the Grenadines

-6

956

Macau *

813

1

1700

80 Guatemala

1288

134 Lebanon

943

Libya *

761

-3

1698

81 Guam

1282

135 Kenya

-6

921

Turks and Caicos Islands *

704

Anguilla *

697

26 Colombia 27 Mexico

1

28 Finland

3

1672

82 Faroe Islands

2

1272

136 Dominica

-6

913

29 Thailand

-1

1670

83 Algeria

-3

1271

137 Rwanda

-6

896

0

1670

84 Indonesia

-5

1270

138 Grenada

-6

892

1

1668

85 Mali

4

1267

139 Afghanistan

-6

884

1249

140 US Virgin Islands

-6

874

-2

1245

141 Uganda

-6

873

Wales 31 Czech Republic 32 Portugal

1

1665

86 Tonga

-3

1663

87 Senegal

34 Poland

1

1656

88 Guyana

-2

1244

142 Mozambique

-5

867

35 Vietnam

1

1638

89 Malaysia

-2

1243

143 Lesotho

-5

850

33 Republic of Ireland

36 Argentina

1

1631

90 New Caledonia

37 Costa Rica

-3

1630

91 Bolivia

1239

144 Malawi

-5

837

-2

1232

145 Eswatini

-5

804

38 Chile

1

1601

92 United Arab Emirates

-1

1230

146 Antigua and Barbuda

-5

784

39 Nigeria

-1

1586

93 Latvia

-1

1224

147 Botswana

-5

755

40 Chinese Taipei

0

1577

Cuba

-5

1224

148 Curaçao

-5

752

41 Romania

2

1549

95 Moldova

-2

1222

149 Andorra

-5

747

-2

1220

150 Aruba

-5

742

1218

151 Madagascar

-5

693

152 Mauritius

-5

42 Serbia

0

1543

96 Montenegro

43 Hungary

2

1524

97 Tahiti

44 Myanmar

0

1519

98 Estonia

-3

1213

45 Slovakia

1

1509

99 Congo

-3

1196

Uzbekistan **

46 Cameroon

3

1499

100 Zimbabwe

-3

1192

Tunisia **

1313

47 Paraguay

1

1494

101 Malta

-3

1187

Bahrain **

1278

48 South Africa

2

1480

102 El Salvador

-2

1179

Laos **

1273

1479

103 Lithuania

-2

1176

Egypt **

1256

50 Ghana

-3

1452

104 Puerto Rico

-1

1175

Honduras **

1152

51 Croatia

-1

1446

105 Dominican Republic

-3

1169

Angola **

1134

49 Papua New Guinea

** Inactive for more than 18 months and therefore not ranked. * Provisionally listed due to not having played more than five matches against officially ranked teams.

358 1557

52 Jordan

5

1442

106 Palestine

-7

1167

Kyrgyz Republic **

1134

53 Jamaica

11

1436

107 Vanuatu

-3

1161

Sierra Leone **

1132

54 Panama

12

1433

108 Nepal

0

1160

Congo DR **

1132

Last updated: 7 December 2018

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking FIFA 1904 /

45


FIFA/COCA-COLA MEN’S WORLD RANKING

Rank Team

Rank Team

+ / – Points

Rank Team

+ / – Points

+ / – Points

Rank Team

0

1727

57 Ecuador

0

1382

113 Bahrain

0

1178

169 Fiji

0

981

2 France

0

1726

58 Finland

0

1378

114 Zimbabwe

1

1175

170 Moldova

0

979

3 Brazil

0

1676

59 Bolivia

0

1374

115 Sierra Leone

1

1172

171 St Lucia

0

976

4 Croatia

0

1634

60 Albania

0

1372

116 Philippines

-2

1171

172 Cambodia

0

970

5 England

0

1631

61 Burkina Faso

0

1371

117 Mozambique

0

1167

173 Grenada

0

968

6 Portugal

0

1614

62 Slovenia

0

1369

118 Thailand

0

1160

174 Cuba

0

963

7 Uruguay

0

1609

62 Honduras

0

1369

119 Kazakhstan

1

1159

175 Chad

0

956

8 Switzerland

0

1599

64 Mali

0

1363

120 Tajikistan

-2

1158

176 Bermuda

0

952

9 Spain

0

1591

65 Côte d’Ivoire

0

1356

120 Guinea-Bissau

1

1158

177 Guyana

3

951

0

1589

66 Guinea

0

1354

122 New Zealand

0

1157

178 Dominica

-1

950

10 Denmark

46

+ / – Points

1 Belgium

11 Argentina

0

1582

67 Algeria

0

1347

123 Togo

0

1136

179 Puerto Rico

-1

948

12 Colombia

0

1575

68 FYR Macedonia

0

1343

124 Chinese Taipei

0

1134

180 St Vincent and the Grenadines

-1

946

13 Chile

0

1565

69 Saudi Arabia

0

1335

125 Angola

0

1131

181 Liechtenstein

0

937

14 Sweden

0

1560

70 El Salvador

0

1327

126 Antigua and Barbuda

0

1126

182 Malta

0

926

14 Netherlands

0

1560

71 Panama

0

1326

127 Sudan

0

1120

183 Macau

0

925

16 Germany

0

1558

72 South Africa

0

1325

127 Turkmenistan

0

1120

184 Laos

0

923 920

17 Mexico

0

1540

72 Cape Verde Islands

0

1325

129 Nicaragua

0

1119

185 São Tomé and Príncipe

0

18 Italy

0

1539

74 Syria

0

1322

130 Malawi

0

1115

186 Bhutan

0

917

19 Wales

0

1525

75 Uganda

0

1320

131 Kosovo

0

1113

187 Aruba

0

916

20 Poland

0

1518

76 China PR

0

1317

132 Latvia

0

1112

188 Mongolia

0

915

20 Peru

0

1518

76 Belarus

0

1317

133 Andorra

0

1111

189 Seychelles

0

911

22 Austria

0

1509

78 Canada

0

1314

133 Lithuania

0

1111

190 Cook Islands

0

908

23 Senegal

0

1505

79 United Arab Emirates

0

1309

135 Yemen

0

1106

190 American Samoa

0

908

24 Romania

0

1501

80 Curaçao

0

1306

136 St Kitts and Nevis

0

1105

192 Guam

0

907

25 USA

0

1497

81 Lebanon

0

1296

137 Rwanda

0

1094

192 Bangladesh

0

907

26 Tunisia

0

1493

82 Oman

1

1295

138 Tanzania

0

1087

194 Gibraltar

0

905

27 Slovakia

0

1483

83 Zambia

-1

1292

139 Myanmar

0

1085

195 Brunei Darussalam

0

903

28 Ukraine

0

1482

84 Congo

0

1280

139 Burundi

0

1085

196 Timor-Leste

0

900

29 IR Iran

0

1481

85 Gabon

0

1277

141 Hong Kong

0

1078

197 Samoa

0

896

29 Serbia

0

1481

86 Luxembourg

0

1276

141 Eswatini

0

1078

197 Djibouti

0

896

31 Venezuela

0

1478

86 Cyprus

0

1276

143 Comoros

0

1076

199 Pakistan

0

888

32 Paraguay

0

1476

88 Iraq

0

1271

144 Solomon Islands

0

1073

200 Montserrat

0

887

33 Republic of Ireland

0

1474

89 Georgia

0

1269

145 Botswana

0

1071

201 Sri Lanka

0

886

34 Bosnia and Herzegovina

0

1472

90 Israel

0

1265

146 Lesotho

0

1069

202 US Virgin Islands

0

881

35 Northern Ireland

0

1465

91 Kyrgyz Republic

0

1264

147 Afghanistan

0

1068

203 Cayman Islands

0

874

36 Costa Rica

0

1464

92 Trinidad and Tobago

0

1260

148 Equatorial Guinea

0

1063

204 Tonga

0

868

37 Iceland

0

1452

93 Qatar

0

1258

149 Guatemala

0

1061

204 Eritrea

0

868

38 Scotland

0

1446

94 Benin

0

1257

150 Liberia

0

1051

204 Somalia

0

868

39 Turkey

0

1443

95 Uzbekistan

0

1251

151 Ethiopia

0

1049

207 British Virgin Islands

0

867

40 Morocco

0

1440

96 Estonia

0

1242

152 Maldives

0

1046

208 Turks and Caicos Islands

0

864 864

41 Australia

0

1436

97 India

0

1240

153 Suriname

0

1037

208 Anguilla

0

42 Czech Republic

0

1435

98 Faroe Islands

0

1238

154 Dominican Republic

0

1036

210 Bahamas

0

858

43 Greece

0

1428

99 Palestine

0

1236

154 New Caledonia

0

1036

211 San Marino

0

854

44 Nigeria

0

1427

100 Vietnam

0

1229

156 Mauritius

0

1022

44 Montenegro

0

1427

101 Mauritania

0

1222

157 Tahiti

0

1020

46 Bulgaria

0

1425

101 Armenia

0

1222

158 Kuwait

0

1018

46 Norway

0

1425

103 Haiti

0

1219

159 Indonesia

1

1003

48 Russia

0

1424

104 Libya

0

1217

160 Belize

1

1002

49 Congo DR

0

1420

105 Kenya

0

1210

161 Nepal

1

1001

50 Japan

0

1414

106 Madagascar

0

1209

162 Barbados

-3

998

51 Hungary

0

1412

107 Azerbaijan

0

1206

163 Vanuatu

0

996 994

51 Ghana

0

1412

108 Niger

0

1205

164 South Sudan

0

53 Korea Republic

0

1405

109 Korea DPR

0

1196

165 Singapore

0

991

54 Jamaica

0

1404

109 Jordan

0

1196

166 Gambia

0

986

55 Cameroon

0

1394

111 Namibia

0

1191

167 Malaysia

0

985

56 Egypt

0

1393

112 Central African Republic

0

1180

168 Papua New Guinea

-1

984

/ FIFA 1904

Last updated: 20 December 2018

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking


A CAREER IN PANINI STICKERS

RUUD GULLIT

© PANINI

66 caps for the Netherlands, European champion in 1988, European Cup winner in 1989 and 1990.

FIFA 1904 /

47


FIFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

all”, and would do his utmost to take Armenian

GRAVINA AT THE HELM

football to a new level of

Gabriele

development. The new FFA

Gravina has

President explained that the

been elected

association would work to

as the new

create a new nationwide

President of the Italian

system to discover and

Football Association (FIGC).

develop talented young

He was the only candidate,

footballers for the future.

and succeeds Carlo

“We should expand the

Tavecchio, who stepped

geography of Armenian

down in November 2017.

football and carry out large-

Gravina called for unity

scale work on a regional

and teamwork under his

basis,” Vanetsyan stressed.

presidency: “Because this is

England

the hard work and commit-

what the Azzurri shirt, the

manager

ment of my staff and the

world of football and the

Gareth

players over the last two

whole of Italy want from

Southgate

years. I have learned a great

us.” He urged dialogue and

NEW TERM FOR PHILIPP

recently signed a new

deal from them, and their

four-year contract, with

passion and professionalism

The FA announcing the deal

in representing England

Paul Philipp

emphasis on families and

that will see the Three Lions

have been an inspiration to

will serve a

young people, and be

coach through to the 2022

my own work.” One of the

fifth term of

played in modern stadiums.

FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar.

most memorable moments

office as

Southgate led the 1966

of England’s run to the

President of the Luxem-

World Cup winners to a

semi-finals was undoubtedly

bourg FA (FLF). Philipp was

fourth-placed finish at

their round-of-16 penalty

elected by acclamation at

Russia 2018, the country’s

shoot-out victory against

the FLF’s 100 th general

joint-best placing at a World

Colombia.

assembly in Dommeldange,

Cup on foreign soil. “I am

and will be at the helm of

delighted to have the

the association for a further

opportunity to lead the

four years. He was first

national team through the

elected as President in 2004.

next two major tournaments,” Southgate said to

VANETSYAN ELECTED

that it should place an

The FLF places primary importance on football

TheFA.com after signing

Artur

development, and is

his new deal. “The job

Vanetsyan

committed to nurturing

remains an incredible

has been

talented players for the

elected as

future. The results of this

privilege and a true honour.

respect in football, stating

BUILDING PITCHES

Experiencing at first-hand

the new President of the

long-term work are coming

how the nation united

Football Federation of

to fruition, with F91

The small

behind the team this

Armenia (FFA). Vanetsyan,

Dudelange qualifying for

town of

summer was something

38, has been elected for a

this season’s UEFA Europa

Földeák, with

special, and it will be great

four-year term. Speaking

League group stage – the

to see how far this young

after his election, he said

first club from Luxembourg

of little more than 3,000

squad can go in the years to

that he would be guided by

to reach this stage in a

people, is 200 kilometres

come. I must acknowledge

the principle of “football for

European club competition.

from Budapest close to the

48

/ FIFA 1904

a population

Catherine Ivill / Getty Images, Paolo Bruno / Getty Images

FOUR MORE YEARS FOR SOUTHGATE


training and playing pitch.

The Glasgow-born Sermanni

Serbia. The opening of the

The Hungarian Football

first featured at the

Moshe

new football pitch in the

Federation, supported by

Women’s World Cup in

Zuares has

town’s school yard in

FIFA Forward, is delivering

1995 with Australia, and

been unani-

September 2018 was a

40 artificial turf pitches

returned to lead the

rather important event,

across the country in

Matildas to a breakthrough

elected as the new President

attracting the attention of

small- and medium-sized

quarter-final appearance

of the Israel Football

every citizen and every

towns that, until now, had

in 2007 before reprising

Association. Born in Petah

football-thirsty youngster in

been lacking the necessary

the feat four years later in

Tikva in 1972, Zuares played

the town. “In this town,

infrastructure to fully and

Germany. “Tom has the

in Maccabi Petah Tikva’s

every family – grandfathers

properly develop youth

experience to bring the

youth teams. He later served

and fathers, and now also

football.

group together in a short

as the chairman of the club,

mously

time frame in order to help

and went on to found his

daughters – participates in

them perform to their

own computer import

football,” said Imre Toth,

potential,” said New

company. “It is a big

Deputy Mayor of Földeák

Zealand interim Technical

challenge and a privilege

and headmaster of the local

Director Andy Boyens. “Tom

to try and develop Israeli

Lajos Navay Elementary

has a good understanding

football,” said Zuares.

­

grandsons and grand

School, while welcoming everybody on that bright

SERMANNI IN THE LEAD

of the current playing group that will enable him to hit

day. “For me, the most

Highly

the ground running. He also

important message from

experienced

has a passion for football in

the handing over of this

coach Tom

this part of the world and

Sermanni is

will be a great cultural fit for

pitch, financed by FIFA and

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

ZUARES ELECTED

borders with Romania and

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IN JOHANNESBURG

the Hungarian Football

set to feature in a fourth

New Zealand Football and

Federation, is that football

FIFA Women’s World Cup™

the Football Ferns.”

has the power to bring

after being named to lead

together everyone living

New Zealand. Most recently

In a major

in this community,” he

coach of NWSL club Orlando

step forward

concluded in his short but

Pride, Sermanni previously

for the

passionate speech. Soon

led the USA for two years.

development

after, young girls and boys

of football in Africa, FIFA

from nine to 14 years old

has officially opened its

took possession of their

second Regional Develop-

own new pitch and immedi-

ment Office on the African

ately started to make full

continent, in Johannesburg,

use of it. The installation of

South Africa. In line with

the new artificial turf and

FIFA 2.0 and its ongoing

the necessary foundation

commitment to promoting

works took just over a

and growing football

month, but was completed

around the world, the new

in time for the beginning

office in Johannesburg will

of the new school year,

provide dedicated assistance

the formation of the new

and support to member

school football teams and

associations in the success-

with the aspiring young

ful delivery of FIFA Forward

talents anxious to enjoy

in Africa. Speaking at the

their new high-quality

inauguration, Joyce Cook, FIFA 1904 /

49


FIFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

and FIFA representatives

objectives and strategies for

tion and development

Associations Officer, said:

present at the gathering.

our local football to benefit

benefits of using the FIFA

“As the second fully

The new artificial turf will

from the FIFA Forward

Connect Platform – which

operational FIFA Regional

not only allow the Botswana

Programme, and the

is offered as a free service

Development Office in

national team – also known

organisation will support us

to the member associations.

Africa, Johannesburg is a

as the Zebras – to train in

during the whole process.

Topics covered during the

key addition to FIFA’s

proper conditions, but will

As a member association,

four-day forum included

international network of

serve as a venue for league

we decide what we want to

how amateur and profes-

regional development

matches and youth competi-

achieve. However, we still

sional clubs, players,

offices. This new office

tions. The new facility is

have to comply with some

coaches and officials in the

will provide day-to-day and

expected to contribute

important requirements to

region can use FIFA Connect

local support in the COSAFA

significantly towards

qualify for the FIFA Forward

to enhance registration

region as FIFA aims to work

improving the quality of

Programme, in our case, our

numbers and registration

ever more closely alongside

performance and permitting

commitment is to football

efficiency. Speaking at the

our member associations in

the Zebras to realise their

youth development, which

workshop, Marlon Glean,

our shared commitment to

potential on the pitch. The

includes our youth league.”

FIFA Regional Development

develop football globally.”

new pitch is part of the

Manager for the Caribbean,

The Johannesburg office

training centre of the

said: “With 22 member

is one of ten regional

Botswana Football Associ

associations from across

development offices to have

ation (BFA). The centre will

been opened by FIFA since

also be further developed in

the launch of the Forward

order to become a modern,

Programme in 2016. Other

fully equipped hub of

FIFA regional development

preparation for the brightest

Football

administrators from across

offices are already up and

talents in the country. Just a

administra-

the region, to educate them

running in India, Malaysia,

short distance away from

tors from 22

on the operational aspects

New Zealand, Panama,

the Botswana National

Caribbean

of the FIFA Connect

Paraguay, Senegal,

Stadium, the new facility is

member associations

Platform and how it can

Barbados and the United

ideally situated to serve the

recently gathered in

contribute to achieving their

Arab Emirates.

strategy set up by the BFA

Barbados to take part in a

development goals.”

for developing football in

four-day educational work-

the country. The Minister

shop on the FIFA Connect

of Youth Empowerment,

Programme – the global

Sports and Culture

player and stakeholder

Development of Botswana,

online registration system.

NEW PITCH FOR THE ZEBRAS

­

FIFA Chief Member

the Caribbean attending

FIFA CONNECT WORKSHOP IN BARBADOS

this week, this workshop provided an important opportunity to engage with

2022 YOUTH OLYMPICS

Thapelo Olopeng, was

Hosted at the FIFA Regional

In Gaborone,

present at the official

Development Office in

the capital

opening and praised the

Bridgetown, Barbados, the

The IOC has

and largest

new facility and the work

workshop brought together

selected

city of

of the BFA. Maclean

administrators from across

Senegalese

Botswana with 231,626

Letshwiti, the President of

the northern and southern

capital Dakar

inhabitants, a new football

the BFA, said: “The project

Caribbean to familiarise

as the Host City for the 2022

pitch is big news. With the

crystallises the importance

them with the FIFA Connect

Summer Youth Olympic

support of FIFA Forward, a

of being a member of the

Platform. Members from the

Games. The event, which is

new football pitch was

international football body.

FIFA Member Associations

scheduled to take place in

recently inaugurated at the

These are the benefits of

Division led the interactive

four years’ time, will be the

Lekidi Football Centre with

being a FIFA member. Our

workshop and shared their

first IOC event to be held in

members of the government

obligation is to set up

insights on the administra-

Africa.

50

/ FIFA 1904


PROACTIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN CANADA

Girls Academy project. The

education, have an impact

aim of this initiative is to

on wider society and

discover and develop the

encourage gender equality,

most talented players in

thus improving and dignify-

Peru, with the goal of them

ing the role of women in all

eventually representing the

walks of life.

national team. “We’re very happy to announce the launch of this first academy in Peru, which also coincides with new coaching staff

SECOND SPORTS LAW SEMINAR

identifying the most

said Patricia González,

taken a

talented players across the

Women’s Football Technical

proactive

nation,” said Kenneth

Programmes Manager at

The Radisson

approach to

Heiner-Møller, Canada’s

FIFA. “This will allow for

ar Hotel in

women’s football in recent

senior women’s team coach

consistency in approach

Bogotá

years, pursuing a vigorous

and director of the Women’s

across age groups, meaning

recently

development plan since the

EXCEL Program, which

that the players will receive

played host to the second

launch of the Women’s

targets every age category

the best preparation with

edition of the CONMEBOL

EXCEL Program in 2014.

between 14 and 20. Nor is

future competitive inter

Sports Law Seminar.

That initiative has already

the task simply limited to

nationals in mind,” she

Organised under the

produced excellent results,

uncovering potential. “Our

added. “What’s more, these

umbrella of CONMEBOL’s

with Canada’s fourth place

programme allows us to

academies will provide

Evolution Programme, the

at the FIFA U-17 Women’s

keep an eye on all the

players with the requisite

event was attended by

World Cup Uruguay 2018

female players in the

resources for their complete

representatives of the

offering the latest proof

country, with special atten-

development, both as

Colombian Football

of its success. While the

tion paid to the biggest

people and athletes.” The

Association’s 70 member

country’s senior team

talents,” added Rhian

FIFA Girls Academy is a

organisations. CONMEBOL’s

continues to grow as a

Wilkinson, the coach of

fundamental part of a larger

Ethics and Compliance

global force, Canada now

Canada’s U-17 side. “They

and more ambitious

Officer, Graciela Garay,

boasts stronger and deeper

then get the chance to

strategic plan for the

kicked off the proceedings

pools of talent in younger

develop in our three largest

development of Peruvian

with her opening address.

age groups. Few players

training centres.”

­

Canada has

women’s football that is

The subsequent sessions

sum up that dynamic better

currently being implement-

were variously led by Julio

than Jordyn Huitema, Jayde

ed. Aside from increasing

Lansac of the CONMEBOL

Riviere, Maya Antoine and

quality in the competitions

Legal Department, the

Ariel Young. Having repre-

and teams, which in turn

Uruguayan FA’s Chief

sented their country with

will make for a more

Administrative Officer,

pride in Uruguay, all four

competitive and successful

Horacio Pintos, and officials

game, the plan also aims to

from the Colombian FA

give exposure to women’s

Legal Department. Subjects

have already taken their first steps at senior level. As the

FIRST FIFA GIRLS ACADEMY

world’s second largest

The Peruvian

football by creating a model

explored ranged from

country after Russia, Canada

FA (FPF) has

for comprehensive, profes-

compliance to club licensing,

faces a stern challenge

given women’s

sional and self-sustaining

the domestic and inter

when it comes to discover-

football in

management. It also aspires

national transfer of players,

­

Maddie Meyer / FIFA via Getty Images

joining the national teams,”

ing new prospects. “It’s a

Peru a considerable boost

to contribute to players’

governance and the work of

question, above all, of

with the launch of the FIFA

personal development and

judicial bodies. FIFA 1904 /

51



MATOSAS NAMED NEW COACH

because it’s a wonderful

to thank the UAE for their

districts of Bangladesh on a

opportunity, and I’m going

full cooperation and hospi-

yearly basis. Under the

to take it as if it were my

tality.” Abbas Torabian, an

terms of the partnership,

own country.”

AFC futsal consultant, also

the BFF has appointed

explained the good practices

UNICEF as the exclusive

required for the professional

Development Partner of the

management of futsal clubs.

Bangladesh national U-16

The workshop focused on

girls’ football team. BFF

discussions on the current

President Kazi Salahuddin

state of futsal clubs in the

and UNICEF Bangladesh

CLUB FUTSAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE UAE

Former

Saul Gonzalez / Getty Images

Uruguay

UAE, while clubs gave

representative Edouard

The AFC Futsal

presentations on the general

Beigbeder signed the agree-

Development

outlook, administration,

ment on behalf of their

Department

marketing, coach education

respective organisations.

recently

and league operations.

“This initiative will offer a

international

concluded its AFC Futsal

unique opportunity to

Gustavo

enhance UNICEF’s partner-

in Sharjah, the United Arab

ships in the world of sport

the man to lead Costa Rica

Emirates. The two-day

by bringing into the lime-

into their 2022 FIFA World

workshop was intended to

light the hidden talent

Cup Qatar qualifying

introduce a futsal club licens-

campaign. It is Matosas’ first

ing system in the UAE. The

international appointment

Head of AFC Futsal & Beach

UNICEF

change lives,” said Beigbeder.

but the 53-year-old boasts

Soccer Development, Ali

Bangladesh

Reaching children through

extensive experience at

Targholizadeh, led the AFC

has signed a

sport was an obvious move

club level. After starting out

delegation. The chairman of

two-year

for UNICEF, he said, as

in Uruguay, Matosas won

the UAE Futsal Committee,

partnership agreement with

children are naturally drawn

the local league title with

Abdul Malek Jani, welcomed

the Bangladesh Football

to outside activities, and

Danubio in 2007. The

the AFC delegates and the

Federation (BFF) to bolster

popular sports like football

Argentine-born Matosas

futsal club representatives.

girls’ empowerment through

can play a vital role in

enjoyed notable success in

“It’s our pleasure to welcome

football. The agreement is

empowering children in

Mexico, winning two

the AFC experts and learn

part of UNICEF’s long-term

general and girls in particular.

championships with León

about futsal club licensing.

commitment to make sports

Beigbeder said that Bangla-

(Apertura 2013 and

This is an excellent opportun

available to all, especially

desh’s female national U-16

Clausura 2014), and a year

ity and a challenge for the

women and girls. The

players were now “models

later the 2015 Concacaf

futsal clubs in the UAE to

UNICEF logo will be placed

of girl empowerment and

Champions League with

take their professionalism to

on the shirts of the national

emancipation” and had set

Club América. He has also

the next level.” For his part,

U-16 girls’ football team for

an example for other girls in

coached in Peru, Saudi

Targholizadeh said: “The

all national and internation-

the country to follow. He

Arabia, Paraguay and Argen-

AFC is ready to assist the

al matches and practice

said that sport promotes

tina. “This is a great honour

UAE in the second phase of

sessions under the partner-

equity and inclusion and

for me, to represent through

the futsal development

ship. In addition, UNICEF

plays a crucial role in break-

the national team, a country

programme, which is to

will work closely with the

ing down entrenched

like Costa Rica,” Matosas

develop futsal clubs in the

BFF to encourage more girls

attitudes and practices that

said. “It’s a wonderful

UAE. Futsal is popular in the

to participate in football

discriminate against girls,

challenge that I’m very

UAE. Therefore, it can also

by organising national talent

including child marriage,

excited about. I’ve talked to

be used as a strong tool at

hunts and football tourna-

child trafficking and violence

my whole family about it

grassroots level. I would like

ments covering all 64

against children.

­

Club Development Workshop

Matosas has been named as

GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT

scattered across the country with a strong potential to

FIFA 1904 /

53


THEN

1970 MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

Popperfoto / Getty Images

Sombrero man Pelé is held aloft in the Estadio Azteca after Brazil’s 4-1 defeat of Italy, his country’s third World Cup triumph.

54

/ FIFA 1904


NOW

2018 MOSCOW, RUSSIA

Sergei Bobylev, TASS / Getty Images

Homage France defender Benjamin Mendy takes a leaf out of the legendary Brazilian’s book following his team’s 4-2 World Cup final win over Croatia.

FIFA 1904 /

55



A FIFA LEGEND’S CAREER FIFA Legend Dario Šimić made exactly 100 appearances for Croatia, starring in the legendary Miroslav Blažević team that claimed third place at France ‘98. Šimić played in three World Cups and three European Championships, and is rightfully regarded as one of his nation’s finest ever defenders.

1992-1998 Dinamo Zagreb Šimić makes his debut for Dinamo at the age of 16, setting a new record as the club’s youngest player. He quickly establishes himself as first choice under

1992 The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert takes place at Wembley Stadium on 20 April.

Blažević, and goes on to win five league titles and four cups in just six years.

1999-2002 Inter Milan Šimić sets another Dinamo record when he moves to Inter Milan for around EUR 11 million

1999 Total solar eclipse over Europe and western Asia on 11 August.

on the back of his impressive World Cup performances. In Milan, he slots into a strong side featuring the likes of Roberto Baggio, Ronaldo, Iván Zamorano and Christian Vieri.

2002-2008 AC Milan Šimić moves across the city and, despite recurrent injuries and not always being a regular starter, he enjoys the most successful period of his career, winning two UEFA Champions League

2002 Switzerland becomes the 190th member of the United Nations on 10 September.

Illustration: Jorge Lawerta

titles, one Serie A and one Coppa Italia.

2008-2010 AS Monaco Šimić impresses in his first season in France before falling out of favour after seeing red in a match

2008 The QE2 embarks on her farewell voyage on 11 November.

against Le Havre in April 2009. Twelve months later, he transfers back to Dinamo Zagreb for the final three matches of his career. FIFA 1904 /

57


PHOTO ARCHIVE

A trophy for keeps Coach Mário Zagallo (left of the trophy) heads the procession as the Seleção parade the Jules Rimet Trophy through the streets of Brasília, the Brazilian capital, following their 4-1 triumph over Italy in the 1970 World Cup final. It was the third time that Brazil had won the cup, and they were now entitled to keep it for good. 58

/ FIFA 1904


Popperfoto / Getty Images

FIFA 1904 /

59


YOU WANT TO BE INSPIRED WE BELIEVE ONE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FRANCE 2019TM IS ALL IT TAKES One click is all it takes to start your journey to the FIFA Women’s World Cup™. See ticketing terms.

Buy tickets at www.fifa.com/fifawwc/tickets


Š Mordillo Foundation. All rights reserved. Licensed by Rubinstein Royalty Management B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands; www.mordillo.com; Illustration provided by Rubinstein Royalty Management B.V., Mordillo Worldwide Licensing, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

MORDILLO

FIFA 1904 /

61


INNOVATIONS

SERBIA EXCEL IN THE STAMINA STAKES Pinpoint shots from distance and more goals from corners: the Technical Study Group’s report on Russia 2018 makes for fascinating reading. By Annette Braun

The report by the Technical Study Group (TSG) on the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ contains a wealth of tournament and match statistics along with team profiles. Exclusive TV highlights are also available in this year’s edition at the click of a mouse. Zvonimir Boban, FIFA Deputy Secretary General (Football), says: “This is a new approach to the TSG report, which is a modern working tool providing relevant insight into where the game is going. It’s also another example of how FIFA is using technology to enhance football analysis.”

KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT: • Spain had the highest ball possession (69%) but fell in the round of 16, while France – who finished a lowly 19th in terms of possession – ended up as champions. • Serbia covered the greatest distance per match (113km), whereas France, in 28th place, covered just 101km. • Shooting efficiency from outside the penalty area improved dramatically: the average strike rate was a goal per 29 long-range attempts, compared to one in 42 at Brazil 2014. • One in every 29 corners led to a goal – the figure at South Africa 2010 was 61. This trend of superior effectiveness carried on into the knockout stage in Russia, where teams scored from one in every 31 corners, compared to every 41 in Brazil. • We saw less of the so-called playmakers at this World Cup, perhaps as a result of the way teams played. However, there were still some outstanding individuals in this area. Paul Pogba of France excelled, but Croatia’s Luka Modrić stole the show. You can find the full report, including links to the video analysis, on FIFA.com.

62

/ FIFA 1904


Kevin Cox / Getty Images

FIFA 1904 /

63


PUBLICATION DETAILS: FIFA 1904 – PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FIFA). PUBLISHER FIFA, FIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box, 8044 Zurich, Switzerland Phone +41 (0)43 222 7777 PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino SECRETARY GENERAL Fatma Samoura CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Fabrice Jouhaud HEAD OF COMMUNICATION CONTENT Bruno Sassi CHIEF EDITOR Perikles Monioudis STAFF WRITERS Alan Schweingruber (Deputy Editor), Annette Braun ART DIRECTION Roger Fehlbaum PICTURE EDITOR 13Photo LAYOUT Susanne Egli, Linda Schwartz TRANSLATION AND PROOFREADING English: Andrew Hurley, Stuart Makin, Milica Bennett-Sajin, Hugo Steckelmacher, Eugénie Stephenson; French: Alexandre Adriano, Alexandre Hubert, Alexandre Károlyi, Nicolas Samier; Spanish: Irene Antolín Pérez, José Ibarra, Juan F. López Vera, Natalia Pita Álvarez; German: Sandra Locher, Yves-Manuel Méan, Gabriela Straube-Zweifel CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Dr Michel D’Hooghe PRODUCTION Philipp Mahrer / Hans-Peter Frei PRINTING ZT Medien AG CONTACT feedback-magazine@fifa.org INTERNET www.FIFA.com/Magazine

Reproduction of photographs and articles of FIFA 1904 in whole or in part is only permitted with prior editorial approval and with reference to the source (FIFA 1904, © FIFA 2019). The editor and staff are not obliged to publish unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. The views expressed in FIFA 1904 are not necessarily those of FIFA. FIFA and the FIFA logo are registered trademarks. Made and printed in Switzerland. 64

/ FIFA 1904


AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 28TH

CHAMPIONS RISE

EA SPORTS™ FIFA 19 delivers a champion-caliber experience on and off the pitch. The UEFA Champions League is integrated into every facet of the game, so that anyone can lift the famous trophy. FIFA 19 also offers enhanced gameplay features that allow you to control the pitch in every moment, including Timed Finishing, Active Touch, Dynamic Tactics, and more. Don’t miss the dramatic finale to Alex Hunter’s story in The Journey: Champions, then build your dream squad in FIFA Ultimate Team with a new match mode and more added features that help you lead your team to greatness.

* FROSTBITE GAME ENGINE AND THE JOURNEY: CHAMPIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON XBOX ONE, PLAYSTATION 4 AND PC PLATFORM VERSIONS ONLY. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONTENT AVAILABLE ON XBOX ONE, PLAYSTATION 4, PC AND NINTENDO SWITCH VERSIONS ONLY. PLEASE VISIT https://www.easports.com/fifa/features FOR MORE DETAILS ON WHAT FEATURES ARE AVAILABLE ON EACH PLATFORM. © 2018 Electronic Arts Inc. EA, EA SPORTS and the EA SPORTS logo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Official FIFA licensed product. © FIFA and FIFA’s Official Licensed Product Logo are copyrights and/or trademarks of FIFA. All rights reserved. Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. The UEFA word, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE word, the UEFA logo and all marks related to UEFA competitions (including but not limited to logos, designs, mascots, products, trophies and names) are owned and protected as trademarks, designs and/or as copyright works by UEFA.


LIVING FOOTBALL IS A COMMITMENT TO THE GAME, TO THE PEOPLE, TO THE PLANET, TO THE FUTURE. Living Football underpins our vision for football: for the here and now, for the future, and for the people who make it so special – be they our players, coaches, fans, partners or others. Football belongs to the people; to all of us who live football, every day.

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