FIFA 1904 June/July 2018

Page 1

RUSSIA 2018

WORLD CUP FEVER ENGLISH EDITION

WWW.FIFA.COM/MAGAZINE

JUNE/JULY 2018



LETTER FROM A FIFA LEGEND

Dear readers of FIFA 1904, When I was a child, my football hero was

I know that FIFA Legends inspire children as

Johan Cruyff. I admired his smooth style, his

well as grown-ups to give their best on the

presence on the pitch, his qualities as an

pitch. We serve as role models. I am trying to

exceptional leader of both Ajax and the

teach players, especially young ones, to stay

national team. So my most memorable football

humble. I try to help them to improve their

moment when I was a child was watching the

skills, but I’m always telling them not to forget

FIFA World Cup final in 1974. We sat in front

to give something back to society wherever

of the television at home that afternoon. The

and whenever they can.

Netherlands, captained by Cruff, played West Germany, led by Franz Beckenbauer, in Munich.

That’s what I am trying to do myself, too. As

We lost. But Cruyff still stood out for me.

FIFA Legends, we talk to each other as people who live in the footballing world in order to

Winning is crucial – but when you ask me

provide input to FIFA, because FIFA has the

today, after all the trophies I’ve won in my life,

tools to develop the game – all around the

I would still say that the best moment of my

world!

Remo Neuhaus

career was when I went out onto the pitch for the first time as a professional. My debut as a

I wish you all an excellent 2018 FIFA World

football pro was something fantastic and I will

Cup in Russia!

never forget it. It was on 19 August 1979, and I played as a libero for HFC Haarlem in a

Yours in football,

2-2 draw with MVV Maastricht.

Ruud Gullit

FIFA 1904 /

1


CONTENTS

8 All 32 teams will be in action in the opening week of the World Cup. How important is it to get off to a good start?

RUSSIA 2018

16 Where will you be watching the World Cup? We have four suggestions for you.

8

12 Who will be crowned world champions? Stars from the worlds of music, sport and film give FIFA 1904 their tips on the eventual tournament winners.

20 A list of firsts: we take a look at some of the radical changes that have been introduced at World Cups.

27 Everyone wants to predict the World Cup winners. But how do you go about it?

28 The World Cup captivates fans everywhere – whether in the stadiums, at the FIFA Fan Fests™, in the bars, or at home.

32 The sound of the tournament: the 2018 FIFA World Cup Official Song by Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi.

38 The colourful array of shirts to be worn by the stars in Russia.

28

12

34 Cardiac arrest on the pitch: Dr Michel D’Hooghe shares his experiences as a team doctor with us.

COVER PICTURE

Our cover shows an illustration by Jorge Lawerta. 2

/ FIFA 1904

Getty Images (3), Keystone

16


FOOTBALL IN PICTURES

4 1990: the Italian national team pose in the shirts of the Italia ’90 teams. – 2018: “Russia welcomes the world!”: the Russian national team don the jerseys of the Russia 2018 teams.

47

24 SNAPSHOT Peruvian inmates looking forward to Russia 2018. 4

40 FIRST LOVE Balbala, Djibouti.

47 PANINI World Cup-winning captains.

54 THEN AND NOW From São Paulo to Cairo.

58 PHOTO ARCHIVE Roberto Baggio blasts his decisive penalty over the bar in the 1994 World Cup final.

58

THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL

44 FIFA NEWS AND THE FIFA/COCA-COLA MEN’S WORLD RANKING

48 NEWS FROM FIFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

56 A FIFA LEGEND’S CAREER Gabriel Batistuta.

43 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE “I cannot wait to see the best players in the world embracing the colours of their countries and writing another chapter in the lives of millions of people who, like me, were born under the sign of the most fascinating tournament on earth.” Gianni Infantino looks forward to Russia 2018.

56

61 CARTOON Mordillo.

63 FANS The highlights of all 64 World Cup matches in sign language.

64 PUBLICATION DETAILS/COMING UP

Getty Images (3), Panini, Mikhail Shapaev/FIFA

62

62 INNOVATIONS The digital team player.

FIFA 1904 /

3


THE MONTH IN PICTURES

PERFECT HOSTS

To celebrate the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the Squadra Azzurra stars slipped into the jerseys of the other participating teams.

4

/ FIFA 1904


Back row (left to right): Gianluca Pagliuca, Paolo Maldini, Nicola Berti, Aldo Serena, Giuseppe Bergomi, Stefano Tacconi, Pietro Vierchowod, Walter Zenga. Middle row (left to right): Andrea Carnevale, Franco Baresi, Giuseppe Giannini, Roberto Baggio, Ciro Ferrara, Roberto Mancini, Roberto Donadoni, Carlo Ancelotti. Front row (left to right): Giancarlo Marocchi, Fernando De Napoli, Riccardo Ferri, Gianluca Vialli, Salvatore Schillaci, Luigi De Agostini. Many thanks to Guerin Sportivo magazine for their kind permission to reprint this image.

FIFA 1904 /

5


THE MONTH IN PICTURES

“RUSSIA WELCOMES THE WORLD!” The Russian national team and staff recently donned a shirt from each of the 32 participating teams.

6

/ FIFA 1904


Mikhail Shapaev

Back row (left to right): Daler Kuzyayev (midfielder), Gintaras Staučė (goalkeeper coach), Soslan Dzhanayev (goalkeeper), Andrey Semyonov (defender), Ilya Kutepov (defender), Aleksandr Yerokhin (midfielder), Mário Fernandes (defender), Andrey Lunyov (goalkeeper), Miroslav Romaschenko (assistant coach), Yevgeny Savin (team manager), Igor Vladimirov (spokesman). Middle row (left to right): Yuri Zhirkov (midfielder), Fyodor Kudryashov (defender), Anton Miranchuk (midfielder), Fedor Smolov (attacker), Stanislav Cherchesov (head coach), Igor Akinfeev (goalkeeper), Sergey Ignashevich (defender), Alexey Miranchuk (midfielder), Vladimir Granat (defender), Yury Gazinsky (midfielder). Front row (left to right): Paulino Granero (assistant coach), Igor Smolnikov (defender), Aleksandr Golovin (midfielder), Aleksandr Samedov (midfielder), Fyodor Chalov (attacker), Alan Dzagoev (midfielder), Konstantin Rausch (defender), Roman Zobnin (midfielder), Eduard Bezuglov (team doctor), Aleksandr Tashayev (midfielder). FIFA 1904 /

7


Hassan Amar / AP / Keystone

RUSSIA 2018

8

/ FIFA 1904


THE FIRST-MATCH CONUNDRUM A team’s progress in the World Cup hinges greatly on its first group match. Defeat can signal an early exit for some sides, while others pick themselves up and go on to become world champions. By Alan Schweingruber

2010 World Cup final After a shaky start, it all came right for the Spanish in the end. Here, AndrĂŠs Iniesta scores the only goal of the match against the Netherlands to clinch the trophy.


RUSSIA 2018

Playing the waiting game can be very

unknown quantity to the Swiss, it is

It makes you wonder what was in the

trying, especially when that’s all you can

hard to gauge how attack-minded the

minds of Iker Casillas and co. when

do – wait. Shortly after two-time

five-time world champions will actually

they once again switched off in their

Champions League winner Ottmar

be on the day. Atonement for the 2014

first match four years later in Brazil.

Hitzfeld took over the reins of the

massacre will be the name of the game

The 5-1 drubbing by the Netherlands

Switzerland team in 2008, the coach –

for the Brazilians. Rather than playing

was so traumatic that none of the

who had been highly successful up to

with their customary flamboyance, the

players recovered mentally in time for

that point – must have seriously

likelihood is that securing the win –

their next match against Chile, which

considered the wisdom of his decision.

1-0 would suffice – will be uppermost

they lost 2-0 to seal their fate. Exit the

The players failed to understand his

in their minds. A draw would raise

world champions.

ideas and proceeded to lose 2-1 at home

eyebrows, and defeat would be a

to Luxembourg. What’s more, this was

catastrophe.

LACK OF DESIRE?

no mere friendly – it was the second

However, accusing a team of a lack of

qualifying match for South Africa 2010.

desire or not being “up for it” would

worries: could a team that had lost to Luxembourg in front of its own fans prevail over Latvia in the next home match? What would happen in the event of another defeat to underdogs?

the Spanish players were accused of displaying a lack of appetite for the occasion in 2014. They appeared to be sated with the success of having won one World Cup and two European championships, although it must be borne in mind that being the reigning champions carries with it a heavy

How could he get the players to perform

burden – everyone wants to beat them,

for the national team as they did for

particularly the so-called minnows, Brazil losing their opening match to

who seem to play beyond themselves

Switzerland? It seems highly unlikely,

against the big boys. The likes of Real

BOUNCING BACK FROM OBLIVION

but upsets do occur at World Cups,

Madrid and Bayern Munich experience

The situation is similar to the first week

particularly in the group stage. Take

this week in, week out in the league.

of the World Cup proper. Primarily,

Hitzfeld’s Swiss team, for instance,

what sticks in the supporters’ minds is

who recovered from the 2-1 defeat to

However, no feature on opening World

what happened at the last World Cup,

Luxembourg to qualify with ease, as

Cup matches would be complete without

not the recent qualifying campaign.

group winners, for the 2010 World Cup

mentioning four-time champions Italy,

For England, it will be defeat to both

in South Africa, where they caused quite

who, along with the Netherlands, are

Italy and Uruguay in 2014, while what

a stir by breaking European champions

the major absentees in Russia. The

Croatia fans probably remember most is

Spain’s unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory

Azzurri are past masters at starting

their team’s 3-1 reverse at the hands

in their opening match. It was a win

slowly but progressing unscathed to

of Mexico in their last group match.

that seemed to come out of nowhere,

the next round: in 1982, they drew all

And as far as Brazil are concerned, it

but just as puzzling was the team’s

three of their group-stage matches but

goes without saying that their 7-1

inability to maintain that level of

ended up winning the tournament.

thrashing by Germany left a deep scar.

performance in the subsequent matches

their clubs?

against Chile and Honduras. As for For Switzerland, meeting Brazil in their

Spain, they quickly recovered from that

first match on 17 June presents

humiliating reverse to win six matches

something of a quandary. While the

in succession to be crowned world

rejuvenated Seleção are hardly an

champions for the first time.

10

/ FIFA 1904

preoccupied with some nagging

pinnacle of a player’s career – and yet

matters. Beset by doubt, he was also

appearing at a World Cup is the

against Latvia and a chance to rectify

be wide of the mark. After all,

lay ahead of him before the next match

ATONEMENT IS THE NAME OF THE GAME FOR THE BRAZILIANS. RATHER THAN PLAYING WITH THEIR CUSTOMARY FLAMBOYANCE, THE LIKELIHOOD IS THAT SECURING THE WIN WILL BE UPPERMOST IN THEIR MINDS.

Julie Jacobson / AP / Keystone

Hitzfeld felt powerless: a whole month


Shock result on 16 June 2010 Switzerland beat Spain 1-0 in their opening group match with a goal by Gelson Fernandes (pictured). FIFA 1904 /

11


RUSSIA 2018

LOOKING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL

Who will be crowned the 2018 world champions? Stars from the worlds of music, sport and film give FIFA 1904 their exclusive tips on the eventual tournament winners. By Annette Braun

12

/ FIFA 1904

“I AM AN ARGENTINA FAN AND HOPE THAT THEY CAN HAVE A GOOD WORLD CUP. IF THEY DON’T WIN I AM JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO ENJOYING THE TOURNAMENT.” USAIN BOLT

Paul Cooper / Contour by Getty Images, Robert Wilson / Contour by Getty Images, Ho (2)

“I WISH I COULD SAY HOLLAND, BUT SINCE WE’RE NOT IN IT I THINK GERMANY WILL WIN IT. THEY ARE ALWAYS STRONG, HAVE A GREAT TEAM SPIRIT, AND KNOW HOW TO PROGRESS DURING THIS TOURNAMENT.” TIËSTO


“I BELIEVE THAT GERMANY CAN DEFEND THEIR TITLE, WITH SPAIN FINISHING A CLOSE SECOND. I THINK BELGIUM ARE THE TEAM THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO AVOID – THEY ARE THE DARK HORSES. THE OTHER TWO SIDES WHO HAVE A CHANCE ARE BRAZIL AND FRANCE.” BORIS BECKER

“WE THINK THAT BRAZIL ARE GOING TO WIN THE 2018 WORLD CUP. NOT EXACTLY A RADICAL CHOICE, THEY SMASHED THE QUALIFIERS AND THEY WILL HAVE A POINT TO PROVE AFTER THEIR DISASTROUS HOME WORLD CUP. IT’S HARD TO SEE PAST THEM FOR A TEAM MORE LIKELY TO TAKE THE TROPHY HOME. WELL DONE TO PERU AND JAPAN FOR YOUR KITS. YOU ARE BOTH WINNERS ALREADY!” KAISER CHIEFS FIFA 1904 /

13



“I AM NOT CONVINCED THEY WILL WIN, BUT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BELGIUM FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS AS ‘ONES TO WATCH’ AND THEY DO HAVE AN AMAZING SQUAD. THEY HAVE AT LEAST ONE WORLD-CLASS PLAYER AT THE BACK, IN THE MIDDLE AND AT THE FRONT. AND IT WOULD MAKE A NICE CHANGE FROM SPANISH/GERMAN DOMINANCE.” JUSTIN HAYWARD-YOUNG/ THE VACCINES

Ho (2), Yves Salmon / Contour by Getty Images

“I’M ROOTING FOR NIGERIA PURELY BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE NICEST LOOKING STRIP AND IT’S ABOUT TIME AN AFRICAN SIDE TOOK IT.” PAUL THOMSON/ FRANZ FERDINAND

“ARGENTINA. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER IN HISTORY, MESSI, WON’T WIN A WORLD CUP BEFORE HE RETIRES.” MADS MIKKELSEN


RUSSIA 2018

IN THE GRIP OF THE WORLD CUP

16

/ FIFA 1904

Right: The World Cup live on television for the first time German fans in Stuttgart root for their team in the World Cup final against Hungary (3-2) in Bern on 4 July 1954.

Top: Bring your own sofa Fans at the Alten Försterei, the stadium of Union Berlin, eagerly await the 2014 World Cup™ opening match between Brazil and Croatia (3-1) on 12 June 2014.

Inga Kjer / DPA / Keystone, Duerkop / DPA / Keystone

If you can’t go to the stadium, then you watch it from wherever you are, as illustrated in these four photos.



Mauricio Lima / AFP

RUSSIA 2018

Multitasking Shoeshiners and their customers in São Paolo watch the group-stage match between Brazil and Korea DPR (2-1) on 15 June 2010.


Rebecca Blackwell /AP / Keystone

In a shoe shop in Dakar Ibra Tall (front right) from Senegal celebrates Italy’s victory in the World Cup final against France on 9 July 2006 (5-3 on penalties) with his customers.

FIFA 1904 /

19


RUSSIA 2018

FIRST TIMES

For the first time ever, live from the World Cup! Cameras in the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern broadcast the World Cup final on 4 July 1954 between West Germany and Hungary (3-2) live to TV screens. 20

/ FIFA 1904

Time for a break! Miguel LayĂşn (second from right) and his Mexican team-mates taking a drinks break during their round-of-16 match against the Netherlands (1-2) of the 2014 World Cup in Fortaleza, Brazil, on 29 June 2014.

Review in process! In Russia in 2018, VARs will be used for the first time at a World Cup.


Many things that we now take for granted

clash with Mexico on 31 May 1970. That

in the game first saw the light of day at a

match was unique as it actually saw another

FIFA World Cup™. Russia 2018 won’t be

first – the first World Cup substitution,

There have been a whole host of innovations since the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. Russia 2018 will see the World Cup debut of video assistant referees. We take a look at some of those firsts. By Perikles Monioudis

any different as it will be

with the USSR’s Anatoliy Puzach replacing

the first edition with video

Viktor Serebryanikov at half-time. Few

assistant referees, in what will

people who witnessed the first penalty

surely be a huge step towards

shoot-out in World Cup history – West

ensuring fairer results on the

Germany 5-4 France in the 1982 semi-finals

pitch. It will be possible to

on a legendary night in Seville – are likely

review “clear and obvious

to ever forget it. So far, two World Cup

errors” on screen, so everyone

finals have been decided on penalties, and

involved in the game – includ-

the Italians were involved on both occasions

ing the fans – will know that

– losing 3-2 to Brazil at USA ’94 but

every decision made on the pitch is the

defeating France 5-3 at Germany 2006.

correct one.

1954 WORLD CUP THE FIRST TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON TV

Video assistant referees will make their

Every World Cup has had a remarkable first

officials have been able to call on other

in one form or another. Everything began

means of technological assistance in the

with the very first goal, scored by France’s

past too. Brazil 2014, for example, was the

Lucien Laurent in the 19 minute of

first World Cup with goal-line technology.

his country’s 4-1 win over Mexico in

It was first called into action during the

Montevideo on 13 July 1930. Barely a day

group-stage match between France and

later, the World Cup had its first sending-

Honduras on 15 June 2014, when Honduran

off, with that particular fate befalling

goalkeeper Noel Valladares only managed

Peru’s Plácido Galindo against Romania.

to get a hand on Karim Benzema’s effort

th

Saved! German goalkeeper Toni Schumacher’s save wins the first penalty shoot-out in World Cup history for West Germany. Maxime Bossis and France lose out in the semifinal in Seville on 8 July 1982.

FAIRNESS ON THE GOAL LINE World Cup debut in Russia, but match

after the ball had crossed the line. The first World Cup match to go into extra time was Austria’s 3-2 win over France on

Another innovation that helped to make

27 May 1934. To date, some 63 World Cup

the game fairer was the introduction of

matches have gone into extra time, and

cooling breaks, which were first used in

26 of those needed a penalty shoot-out to

the stifling heat of Fortaleza on 29 June

decide the winner. Switzerland 1954 was

2014 in the round-of-16 match between

the first World Cup to be broadcast live on

the Netherlands and Mexico.

Getty Images (3), Keystone

TV, and now it is no exaggeration to say that the whole world watches when the

On 14 June 2018, Russia and Saudi Arabia

World Cup rolls around.

will open the World Cup. To date, no World Cup hosts have ever lost in the

There has been no shortage of changes to

opening match. If the Saudis were to

the Laws of the Game down the years,

defeat their Russian hosts, they would also

either. The dubious honour of being the

be responsible for yet another first in

first player to receive a yellow card went to

World Cup history. It would be a rather

the USSR’s Kakhi Asatiani in his country’s

spectacular one too. FIFA 1904 /

21


FIFA PARTNER


Presse Sports

First World Cup scorer! French player Lucien Laurent had the honour of becoming the first player to score a goal at a World Cup (13 July 1930). FIFA 1904 /

23


SNAPSHOT

The power of football Prisoners have needs, too – and they include playing football. At the end of May, inmates from 17 Peruvian jails took part in the first Interprison World Cup Lima 2018 at the San Juan de Lurigancho prison near Lima, as excitement builds for the World Cup proper. Pictured here are the prison guards on the right, with players of the “France” team on the left.

24

/ FIFA 1904


Rodrigo Abd / AP / Keystone FIFA 1904 /

25


TOGETHER WE DREAM When the world comes together, the game comes alive. As the official airline partner of FIFA, Qatar Airways is proud to bring fans from over 150 destinations to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russiaâ„¢. ALL TOGETHE R NOW

qatarairways.com


RUSSIA 2018

TAKE YOUR PICK!

International celebrity Paul, the oracle octopus, at the “Sea Life Centre” in Oberhausen (Germany, 6 July 2010).

Who will win the 2018 World Cup? Everyone has their own prediction. And some back their opinions by consulting an oracle animal or making complex predictions based on competitive strength. By Perikles Monioudis

You can’t have a World Cup without

Spain), not to mention that his “prediction”

to really tell how a team will perform in

predictions. Of course, all players hope

for the final was correct: Spain beat the

the next match, that is, to establish their

that their team will rise to the occasion,

Netherlands. Of course, it was pure luck.

performance strength. And then there is

regardless of the actual balance of power,

also the fact that it is impossible to know So how can one make predictions more

in advance which teams will play against

want to have “more precise” information

reliable? In other words, how can one tell

each other after the group stage, which is

often ask an oracle, who have become

the actual competitive strength of a team?

also something that differs to the

very popular since Paul the Octopus, the

Contrary to league matches, where all

championship season. This is rather

unsuspecting 2010 World Cup oracle.

teams play against each other (twice), for a

determined by their performances and

team to reach the World Cup final, they

victories in that stage and in the knock out

PURE CHANCE

play a maximum of seven matches. Situ­

stage.

Paul lived in the “Sea Life Centre” aquarium

ational factors, such as injuries, expulsions

in Oberhausen (Germany). He would always

or suspensions of important players, as

Which leads us to the following question:

be presented with two glass boxes contain­

well as the weather, have much greater

is it really important to determine a team’s

ing food, each decorated with a different

consequences in a World Cup tournament

competitive strength in order to predict

flag, for example, German and Australian.

than in a whole championship season.

whether they will make the final? Yes,

For that particular match, Paul guessed right Getty Images

of course. But, as all football fans know,

He actually picked seven German World

THINGS DON’T ALWAYS GO AS PLANNED

Cup matches in a row correctly (and even

What’s more, the small number of matches

guessed their defeats against Serbia and

played during a World Cup is not sufficient

by choosing the box with the German flag.

-

and win the World Cup trophy. Those who

things often don’t happen as one might expect, or even hope!

FIFA 1904 /

27


RUSSIA 2018

SHARING THAT SPECIAL MOMENT The FIFA World Cup™ captivates fans everywhere – in the stadiums, at the FIFA Fan Fests™ and those watching on TV. By Annette Braun

28

/ FIFA 1904

15 June 1986. In Mexico City, the sun bathes the Estadio Azteca in a golden light. In the round of 16, the hosts play Bulgaria, and everyone watches with immeasurable anticipation. Beto, a huge football fan, is also there. His dream of watching a World Cup match live is about to come true. The match is taking place in a stadium in his home town. But then he hears the familiar voice of his heavily pregnant wife say: “I don’t feel too well. I think we need to go to the hospital.”


Mario Tama / Getty Images

Together Happy fans celebrate at the FIFA Fan Fest™ in Rio de Janeiro in 2014.

EXCITEMENT, EMOTIONS, TOGETHERNESS

Nigeria. World Cup fever brings people

compete for the title and fans, while

together: those who have to work during

supporting their teams, are also united by

So instead of going to the stadium, Beto

matches, like taxi drivers and restaurant

their zest for the sport.

goes to the hospital. His son Roberto is

owners in the popular parts of town,

born just as Manuel Negrete Arias puts

and those who can devote all their time

Beto has already experienced a number of

Mexico 1-0 up on their way to a 2-0

to the game. Some fans gather together

World Cup tournaments – in different

victory, and the whole hospital can be

in front of the TV at home or in bars and

settings. The World Cup in Russia will

heard celebrating. “That’s how I knew

others at the Fan Fest, which, after the

nonetheless be particularly special to him.

that it had to have been a goal. And

stadium, is the second-most popular

As the winner of the FIFA “Bring Someone

judging by how loud the cheering was,

place to watch a match. Emotions are at

Special” contest, for the first time since

it was a goal for Mexico,” Beto tells us.

their peak and the fans get to have a

the excitement on 15 June 1986, he will

close-up experience of the energy of the

finally have the opportunity to watch a

tournament.

World Cup match live in the stadium. He

The World Cup is a sports event where the whole world gathers to enjoy a special

will be going to the opening match in

moment together – from the hospital in

“BRING SOMEONE SPECIAL“

Moscow with his son. What they’re the

Mexico City and the high plateaus of Peru

For four weeks, the World Cup brings

most excited about is celebrating football

to the islands of Japan, from the volcanoes

people closer together. It is a tournament

and sharing a special moment with millions

of Iceland to the Lagos metropolis in

where the best footballers in the world

of other football fans around the world. FIFA 1904 /

29


RUSSIA 2018

FIFA FAN FEST

HISTORY

WHAT TO EXPECT?

The FIFA Fan Fest™ was first introduced

• Official FIFA World Cup™ event

for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Ger­

• Entrance free of charge

many. Ever since, it has been part of the

• Fantastic locations

official programme and was held at the

• Live broadcast of all FIFA World Cup™

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, with almost 30 million people attending an event over these past three editions.

matches on giant screens • Exciting music and cultural entertain­ ment programmes • Innovative FIFA World Cup Sponsor activations

WHERE TO GO IN RUSSIA?

• Quality food and beverage stands

• Ekaterinburg: Mayakovsky Central Park

• Official stores with licensed FIFA World

(venue capacity: 17,000) • Kaliningrad: Tsentralnaya Square (venue capacity: 15,000)

Cup™ products

FIFA FAN FEST™ AMBASSADOR MARCEL DESAILLY: “The FIFA Fan Fest venues mean support­

• Kazan: Family Centre Kazan

ers can get together in special areas that

(venue capacity: 25,000)

will be safe and where you can share the atmosphere of the FIFA World Cup. You

• Moscow: Vorobyovy Gory (venue capacity: 25,000)

will be able to express your happiness – or your sadness! – and meet people from different cultures and countries. Sharing

• Nizhny Novgorod: Minin and

experiences and excitement with other

Pozharsky Square (venue capacity:

people is so important and you can also

15,000)

support your team. The FIFA Fan Fest venues are there to promote beautiful

• Rostov-on-Don: Teatralnaya Square (venue capacity: 25,000) • Sochi: South Mall of the Maritime Port (venue capacity: 10,000)

family moments and that is what sport should be about.”

FIFA FAN FEST™ AMBASSADOR ALEKSANDR KERZHAKOV: “It is a great honour for my country to be

• Samara: Kuybysheva Square (venue capacity: 20,000)

hosting the 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup this summer and I am convinced that the FIFA Fan Fest will contribute greatly to

(venue capacity: 20,000)

hospitality in the spotlight at their FIFA Fan Fest, which will be free of charge. I am looking forward to checking this out for

• Volgograd: 62 Army Embankment (venue capacity: 15,000) 30

/ FIFA 1904

myself in my role as 2018 FIFA Fan Fest ambassador.”

• Saransk: Sovetskaya Square

opportunity to put Russian culture and

fans. All our 11 Host Cities have the

Square (venue capacity: 15,000)

the overall experience for the attending Kamil Krzacynski / EPA / Keystone

• Saint Petersburg: Konyushennaya


Goal! Brazil fans celebrate their team’s penalty shoot-out victory against Chile in Belo Horizonte on 28 June 2014.


RUSSIA 2018

“CHEER, LAUGH AND EXPERIENCE MAGIC” What happens when Will Smith, Nicky Jam, Era Istrefi and Diplo get together? They create the 2018 FIFA World Cup Official Song! By Annette Braun

Anticipation and excitement about the

one of the most famous stars on the Latin

lifetime achievement. Not many artists

World Cup is heightened as certain mile-

American music scene, and the young

have the privilege of being able to say

stones are reached; the tournament is

Kosovan pop singer Era Istrefi. When he

they’ve been part of this. I’m so proud and

nearing and becoming more and more

talks about Live It Up, Smith can’t help but

happy, I can say to my grandkids, ‘I’ve

tangible for the fans. For instance, one

rave: “It’s an honour to be asked to per-

made it,’” says Nicky Jam.

milestone, the Final Draw, seals the teams’

form at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This

fates as to their group in the tournament.

global event brings people from all over

The next and final milestone will be when

Another is when players are named in the

the world together to cheer, laugh and

the whistle is blown to mark the start of

squad, which gives the team its identity

experience magic. Collaborating with

the FIFA World Cup™ and the World Cup

and the faces that fans will cheer on. And

Nicky, Diplo and Era on this track repre-

official song reverberates in all 12 Russian

then, there’s the musical highlight: the

sents harmony, eclectic flavours and

stadiums. That’s when the tournament

release of the official World Cup song. This

genres coming together.”

proper will kick off and everything will

World Cup song is set to shape the sum-

come together. The wait will be over and

mer; it evokes the myriad of feelings that

“A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT”

the biggest football event in the world will

will be experienced over the course of four

The World Cup song, with its feel-good,

sweep us along. There won’t be a single

weeks by the best players in the world and

laid-back vibe and enthusiasm for the

person who’s not dancing according to

their fans.

teams and football, provides the backdrop

Will Smith, or in the Grammy award

for a peaceful football celebration. It’s

winner’s own words, “at the end of the

The 2018 World Cup hit was produced by

catchy and stresses the power of football

day, we just want to see the world dance”.

DJ Diplo and is sung by the actor, film

to bring people together. “To record the

director and rapper Will Smith, Nicky Jam,

Official Song for the FIFA World Cup is a

32

/ FIFA 1904


OFFICIAL WORLD CUP SONGS

England 1966 Lonnie Donegan: World Cup Willie Mexico 1970 Los Hermanos Zavala: Fútbol México 70 Germany 1974 Maryla Rodowicz: Futbol Argentina 1978 Buenos Aires Municipal Symphony: El Mundial Spain 1982 Plácido Domingo: Mundial ‘82 Mexico 1986 Juan Carlos Abara: El mundo unido por un balón Italy 1990 Edoardo Bennato & Gianna Nannini: Un’estate Italiana USA 1994 Daryl Hall & Sounds of Blackness: Gloryland France 1998 Ricky Martin: La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life) Japan/Korea Republic 2002 Anastacia: Boom

Germany 2006 Il Divo feat. Toni Braxton: Time of Our Lives South Africa 2010 Shakira feat. Freshlyground: Waka Waka

SONY

Brazil 2014 Pitbull feat. Jennifer Lopez & Claudia Leitte: We Are One (Ole Ola)

FIFA 1904 /

33


Successful resuscitation Nico Rijnders of Football Club Bruges suffered a heart attack on the pitch in a home match against RFC Liège on 12 November 1972 and was clinically dead. Our author, Dr Michel D’Hooghe (front right of the stretcher, in a dark coat), was able to resuscitate the player. Rijnders suffered from congenital arrhythmia and died three years later, at the age of 28.

34

/ FIFA 1904

HO

RUSSIA 2018


THE CHALLENGES FOR THE TEAM DOCTOR

As a team doctor you experience a world of emotion and passion. You are a person of trust for the players and have a responsibility to ensure their full recovery. However, you are also an employee at the service of a club or FIFA member association. It is a delicate balancing act. By Dr M. D’Hooghe

Brugge in 1972. Through my career in

orthopaedics, traumatology, physical

NEW CHALLENGES IN FOOTBALL MEDICINE

medicine and football, I very quickly

medicine and rehabilitation;

The globalisation of football is creating

- multiple locomotor problems related to

I started as team doctor for Club

new sports medicine approaches to

realised that there was an enormous - physiology: the difference between a

difference between my theoretical

various issues, including jetlag, high

studies at university and the practical

healthy person and an athlete in excellent

altitude matches, extreme climatological

experience gained working with a club

physical condition;

conditions, air pollution that may result in respiratory cases, sudden cardiac arrest

and professional players.

- a player’s psychological well-being: an

and medical care in women’s football.

I by no means want to trivialise the

optimal result can only be obtained if

value and importance of my formal

there is a healthy balance between

Some of the questions we have to

education. However, the fact is that in

motivation and relaxation;

address regarding those issues include how to deal with jetlag and make sure

most countries knowledge of sports

players are ready to play a match three

- a pharmacological knowledge of football

is not part of the foundation curriculum

medicine products: the products that can

days after arriving at their destination

to qualify as a sports doctor. To gain

be used in the world of football medicine

in a completely different time zone.

that knowledge, postgraduate education

and the prohibited list of products that are

Regarding altitude, we all know the

and work experience are fundamental,

defined each year by WADA; and

recommended acclimatisation period

medicine, particularly football medicine,

especially in areas such as:

depends on the altitude level but how

- many more disciplines including nutrition, hydration and hygiene.

do you care for a player travelling to La Paz, Bolivia, for example, who has to FIFA 1904 /

35



perform two days later at an altitude of

However, you are also an employee at

over 4,000 metres? Or a player who has to

the service of a club who want to win

play in extreme temperature conditions?

as many matches as possible, and want

FOUR QUESTIONS ON CARDIAC ARREST

their players fit and match-ready as

Answered by Prof. Efraim B. Kramer,

Other challenges include identifying and

quickly as possible. Does this encourage

FIFA Tournament Medical Officer for

preventing sudden cardiac arrest. On

risk to the health and physical condition

the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™

average, one football player dies on a

of your players?

pitch every month. As doctors, the standard is clear and But the area that is developing the quickest

we must remember our Hippocratic oath:

by far is medical care in women’s football.

the health of our patients should be the

New and specific medical problems

priority, even if this creates problems for

directly related to the playing of football

the team doctor. You need to balance

by women are regularly examined.

your role as an authoritative role model

Medical care in women’s football.

as head of a medical team with being a

This is by far the quickest developing

team player together with the technical

area. New and specific medical problems

and medical staff, assisting the team and

directly related to the playing of football

the coach, who is the ultimate leader.

by women are regularly examined.

MEDICAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES

A DELICATE BALANCING ACT You are expected to fully collaborate and

Knowledge and competence are

provide medical advice, while always

preconditions to becoming a good sports

trying to respect your medical deontology

doctor. However, when I was assigned

and your ethical rules. A successful

as team doctor to a football team,

collaboration depends on the personality

I realised I was no longer working for a

of the coach and requires adaptation.

health organisation but a sports organi-

How do you diagnose sudden cardiac arrest? Prof. Kramer: Any non-contact, sudden collapse on the field of play is a cardiac arrest until proved otherwise. What is the first emergency step to take? Begin immediate CPR, call for an automated external defibrillator (AED) and alert the emergency services. How many cases of sudden cardiac arrest occur annually? Around one per month, every month, that we know of. The number is probably much higher than we realise though. How soon should a patient in sudden cardiac arrest be defibrillated with an AED? Within two minutes preferably.

sation focused on winning and losing,

A study on this by Professor Ekstrand

dealing with pressures such as relegation

proved that in European football, the best

and finances.

results are obtained in clubs where there

For more information, check FIFA

is a close relationship between the coach

Medical Network www.fifamedicine

The team doctor experiences a world

and the team doctor; and in clubs where

diploma.com and FIFA.com/Sudden-

of emotion and passion. When your

this close relationship exists there are

Cardiac-Arrest.

injured player can play the next match,

frequently fewer injuries.

you will be deemed a good doctor. If they are deemed unfit to play, you’re

You must also be wary of the media,

likely to be criticised by the whole club.

especially with regard to what information can be made public and what should be

You quickly learn the importance of

kept private to respect patient confidenti-

finding a balance between two important

ality, and that requires personal discretion.

medical and ethical issues; you need to adopt a double role. You are a person

Being a team doctor in a professional

of trust for the players and have a

football team is a delicate balancing act;

responsibility to ensure their full recovery

it requires more than medical-school

and restored health. Going back to

knowledge, and truly learning the ropes

training or playing matches too early

can only be acquired through practical

could compromise a whole career.

experience, time, and trial and error.

FIFA 1904 /

37


RUSSIA 2018

Saudi Arabia

Egypt

Uruguay

Portugal

Spain

Morocco

IR Iran

France

Australia

Peru

Denmark

Argentina

Iceland

Croatia

Nigeria

Getty Images / Simon Hofmann ( 32)

Russia

38

/ FIFA 1904


Red, blue, green and yellow – the stadiums will be awash with colour at the 2018 World Cup. The 32 teams (listed in their groups) will be wearing these shirts in Russia.

Brazil

Switzerland

Costa Rica

Serbia

Germany

Mexico

Sweden

Korea Republic

Belgium

Panama

Tunisia

England

Poland

Senegal

Colombia

Japan

FIFA 1904 /

39


FIRST LOVE PLACE Balbala, Djibouti DATE 4 May 2015 TIME 13:24 PHOTOGRAPHER Carl De Souza

40

/ FIFA 1904


AFP FIFA 1904 /

41



PRESIDENT´S MESSAGE

BORN UNDER THE SIGN OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP™ When you are born and raised in a football-loving household as I

together for another FIFA World Cup. It seemed – still seems –

was, the FIFA World Cup seems to hold a magical power: one

just fine to me.

that can divide your life into chapters. If, today, I feel capable of presiding over the governing body of If you were to ask me to think of any of the ten editions of the

world football with another FIFA World Cup about to begin, it is

FIFA World Cup that I have followed closely so far, I would imme-

as much down to this knowledge – of someone with a deep love

diately give you a complete snapshot of my existence then: where I

of the game and its greatest competition – as to the years of

was, what I was doing, what preceded that time in life and where

experience working in the football industry.

I was heading. It is as if everything else has revolved around what happens during that one magical month every four years.

If, today, I wake up in the middle of the night to a swirl of thoughts about Russia 2018, the reason would be entirely unrelat-

My introductory guide to this magic took place on the couch at

ed to the tournament’s organisation – which is clearly ready to

home, from where I marvelled at how Argentinian fans made

run like clockwork. It is much more straightforward than that: I

those thousands of small pieces of paper rain from the sky onto

simply cannot wait to see another FIFA World Cup kicking off. I

the pitch of the Monumental de Núñez. I was an eight-year-old

cannot wait to see the best players in the world embracing the

kid as my dad lectured me on how, despite the talent that the

colours of their countries and writing another chapter in the lives

Dutch had at their disposal, Daniel Bertoni and Mario Kempes

of millions of people who, like me, were born under the sign of

were just the kind of player you would want to rely on when a

the most fascinating tournament on earth.

Michael Regan / FIFA via Getty Images

decisive match was on the line. And on how the young Italian team with Paolo Rossi and Antonio Cabrini was poised for big

The time has come to enjoy the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

things in the years to come.

Finally!

It turns out that my father was not only optimistic, but also right:

Yours in football,

Italy would go on to win the 1982 FIFA World Cup, beating an unbelievably flamboyant Brazilian team in the process, and from that moment on, everything seemed to fall into place. By then, I had realised that life essentially boiled down to 47 months of getting to know the history of football’s crown jewel and project-

Gianni Infantino

ing its next steps, and one month of enjoying it as it all came

FIFA President FIFA 1904 /

43


FIFA NEWS

ONE YEAR TO GO Speaking about the launch of the Official Mascot, FIFA’s Chief Commercial Officer Philippe Le Floc’h said: “ettie will be the star of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019. Her personality shines as brightly as her passion for women’s football and we are happy that she is the young voice of the tournament. She represents hope, passion for football and of course fun. ettie always Dares to Shine and we believe that she will bring joy and laughter to fans with her playful and charming behaviour and her sparkling personality, as well as inspiring a new generation of young girls and women to get involved in football.” The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ starts in just 12 months’ time.

Anticipation for the World Cup is also building a year before its

From 7 June to 7 July 2019, the best teams in the world will

start thanks to a very special street art project across the nine

compete for the title in France (Grenoble, Le Havre, Lyon, Mont-

Host Cities that was revealed on 7 June 2018. An artist was

pellier, Nice, Paris, Reims, Rennes and Valenciennes). The Official

chosen to create unique artworks that not only promote women’s

Mascot for the tournament has already been introduced in the

football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup but also the respective

form of young chicken ettie™, who comes from a long line of

Host Cities. The pieces will glow until it is finally time for the

feathered mascots and is the daughter of Footix, the Official

tournament to kick off.

Mascot from the 1998 FIFA World Cup France™. Her strong family connection to the Gallic rooster, who is still a popular national French symbol, makes her a fitting choice as the Official

Tickets for the World Cup go on sale in October.

Mascot for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.

For more information, visit fifa.com/womensworldcup.

“It is very important for us at FIFA, especially those of us from the

tral America and Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries met

Technical Development Division, to be taking part in these work-

recently in Mexico City to discuss the current status of the FIFA

shops,” said Philip Zimmermann, FIFA’s Grassroots and Youth

Forward Development Programme and to share their expertise and

Development Manager. “Zurich is a long way away from the

experiences with FIFA, all with the aim of identifying the chal

Americas, so it’s very interesting to hear what the member associ-

­

Representatives of 12 member associations from North and Cen-

lenges facing the region in the next few years. In what was a very

ations need, to be able to answer their queries, and to help out

productive gathering, the associations took a close look at how

with the region’s development.” Over the three days, the partici-

FIFA Forward is working, its current scope and where its future

pants worked on consolidating concepts and processes for pro-

lies. FIFA representatives then answered questions on the develop-

jects and financial governance, the idea being to improve the

ment of the programme’s first cycle, which comes to a conclusion

effectiveness and management of the resources FIFA allocates to

this year. The discussions then focused on the next cycle, which

the development of football.

aims to safeguard the development of football in the region. 44

/ FIFA 1904

©Ville de Reims

FIFA FORWARD


LEGACY PROGRAMME Russian university students are getting unique hands-on experi-

would need to fulfil their roles. At the end of the workshops, held

ence as they help behind the scenes to bring the host broadcast

on the university campuses, the students were again assessed

TV production of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ to billions of viewers

through interviews. Finally, early this year, the successful candidates

around the world. FIFA’s legacy programme aims to further the

were assigned contracted positions for their roles during the 2018

professional development of young people in the host country of

FIFA World Cup.

the World Cup so that the skills and know-how that go into broadcasting the world’s biggest single-sport event are passed on

As well as being deployed at the 12 stadiums, in Moscow, students

to the next generation of local professionals.

are also working at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC). Since April, some have already been assisting with the construction and wiring of the temporary structures that will serve as the master

media, communications, foreign languages, international relations,

control room of the host broadcaster, the national broadcasters’

IT, and electrical and civil engineering have been assigned roles

studios and the offices during the tournament. Meanwhile, other

that match their particular field and skill set. In early 2017, stu-

students will assist in the production of daily stories, team features

dents at universities throughout Russia were invited to apply for a

and promos, as well as maintaining the archive library. In the sta

variety of paid internship positions in each of the 11 Host Cities. In

diums, some students will help the venue technical managers to

April and May 2017, they underwent initial selection interviews,

coordinate the overall technical system and operations at each

before attending workshops in late 2017 led by the host broad-

venue, while others will help set up and test the commentary

caster, where they learned more about the practical skills they

systems before the commentators go live on matchdays.

­

A total of 312 students from fields as diverse as TV production,

BLUE STARS The first-ever women’s tournament at the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth

Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia, who defeated BSC Young Boys 2-0 in

Cup certainly had a worthy winner. BSC Young Boys emerged

the final to lift the trophy for the first time in their history. Josip

victorious after a tense final, defeating Spanish club Valencia CF

Šutalo and Tomislav Knežević scored the goals that saw Zagreb

1-0. Striker Ilona Guede Redondo scored the winning goal after

win the tournament at their fourth attempt and repeat the feat of

bagging a brace in the semi-final, meaning that she was respon

last year’s first-time winners Olympique Lyonnais.

sible for three of her team’s five goals in Buchlern. At the end of

­

The 80th edition of the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup was won by

the two-day competition, she was fittingly chosen as player of the tournament. The team from the Swiss capital built their success from the back, not conceding a goal in four match-

Alexander Hassenstein / FIFA via Getty Images

es. They came through Group A in second place, thanks to goalless draws against Inter Milan and Grasshoppers, before achieving a 4-0 win in the semi-finals over FC Zurich, who had cruised through their opening two group matches, scoring nine goals and conceding just one. FIFA 1904 /

45


1558

57 Korea Republic

4

544

113 Bahrain

2 Brazil

0

1431

58 Albania

-2

538

3 Belgium

0

1298

59 Bolivia

-2

4 Portugal

0

1274

60 Ecuador

5 Argentina

0

1241

61 Japan

6 Switzerland

0

1199

62 Honduras

7 France

0

1198

63 Finland

8 Poland

2

1183

9 Chile

0

1135

10 Spain

-2

11 Peru

+ / – Points

Rank Team

+ / – Points

0

Rank Team

+ / – Points

Rank Team

1 Germany

3

289

169 Singapore

3

99

114 Mozambique

-8

282

170 St Lucia

4

95

536

115 Philippines

-4

280

171 Malaysia

0

93

3

524

116 Namibia

-9

277

172 Gambia

3

92

-1

521

117 Kazakhstan

0

273

173 St Vincent and the Grenadines

3

89

-3

503

118 Zimbabwe

-5

265

173 Puerto Rico

-14

89

-1

486

119 Tajikistan

1

264

175 Chad

-7

88

64 Mali

3

484

120 New Zealand

13

256

175 Moldova

-2

88

65 Cape Verde Islands

-7

478

121 Guinea-Bissau

-17

255

177 Dominica

0

86

1126

66 Algeria

-2

474

122 Thailand

0

248

178 Bermuda

0

82

0

1125

67 Saudi Arabia

0

465

123 Malawi

-4

247

178 Laos

1

82

12 Denmark

0

1051

68 Côte d'Ivoire

1

463

123 Chinese Taipei

-2

247

180 Liechtenstein

1

80

12 England

1

1051

68 Guinea

2

463

125 Togo

3

241

181 Cuba

14 Uruguay

3

1018

70 Russia

-4

457

126 Lithuania

7

239

182 Guyana

15 Mexico

0

989

71 FYR Macedonia

16 Colombia

0

986

72 El Salvador

17 Netherlands

2

981

73 Syria

18 Wales

3

953

19 Italy

1

951

20 Croatia

-2

945

1

75

-18

73 68

6

451

126 Antigua and Barbuda

-2

239

183 Bhutan

1

13

442

128 Sudan

-2

232

184 Malta

1

65

3

440

129 Latvia

10

230

185 Macau

1

60

74 South Africa

-2

428

130 Turkmenistan

-2

229

186 Mongolia

2

51

75 China PR

-2

423

130 Andorra

2

229

186 São Tomé e Príncipe

1

51

76 Zambia

2

420

132 Nicaragua

4

228

188 Seychelles

6

48

21 Tunisia

-7

910

77 United Arab Emirates

4

418

133 Yemen

-9

227

188 Aruba

-6

48

22 Iceland

0

908

78 Belarus

1

417

134 Swaziland

-3

222

190 Guam

-1

45

23 Costa Rica

2

884

79 Lebanon

3

411

135 St Kitts and Nevis

-5

218

190 Timor-Leste

0

45

24 Sweden

-1

880

79 Canada

1

411

136 Rwanda

-13

216

192 American Samoa

-1

38 38

25 USA

-1

873

81 Curaçao

-10

408

137 Angola

1

209

192 Cook Islands

-1

26 Austria

0

845

82 Uganda

-8

403

138 Myanmar

-3

206

194 Bangladesh

3

35

27 Senegal

1

838

83 Congo

6

393

139 Botswana

3

205

195 Gibraltar

1

34

28 Slovakia

1

804

84 Oman

3

391

140 Tanzania

-3

200

195 Brunei Darussalam

0

34

29 Northern Ireland

-2

803

85 Gabon

5

390

141 Kosovo

11

197

197 Djibouti

1

32

30 Romania

2

782

85 Luxembourg

-2

390

142 Hong Kong

2

195

197 Samoa

-6

32 18

31 Republic of Ireland

0

777

87 Cyprus

-1

384

143 Equatorial Guinea

2

190

199 US Virgin Islands

0

32 Paraguay

0

773

88 Benin

-4

379

143 Solomon Islands

10

190

200 Sri Lanka

0

17

33 Venezuela

6

755

89 Iraq

2

377

145 Afghanistan

-5

188

201 Pakistan

2

10

34 Serbia

1

751

90 Faroe Islands

3

376

146 Guatemala

-5

180

202 Cayman Islands

2

9

35 Ukraine

-5

733

91 Trinidad and Tobago

1

370

147 Lesotho

3

175

203 San Marino

2

8

36 Australia

4

718

92 Kyrgyz Republic

-17

363

148 Burundi

-2

174

204 British Virgin Islands

2

4

37 IR Iran

-1

708

93 Israel

5

362

149 Comoros

-7

172

204 Montserrat

-4

4

38 Turkey

-1

706

94 Estonia

-1

359

150 Maldives

-2

171

206 Anguilla

1

0

38 Congo DR

0

706

95 Uzbekistan

-7

354

151 Ethiopia

-5

166

206 Bahamas

1

0

40 Bosnia and Herzegovina

1

693

96 Georgia

-1

352

152 Dominican Republic

-3

162

206 Eritrea

1

0

41 Morocco

1

686

97 India

0

350

153 Suriname

1

154

206 Somalia

1

0

42 Scotland

-8

660

98 Qatar

3

348

154 New Caledonia

2

150

206 Tonga

1

0

43 Montenegro

0

652

99 Palestine

-3

347

155 Mauritius

6

140

206 Turks and Caicos Islands

-4

0

44 Greece

0

650

100 Armenia

-2

338

156 South Sudan

1

132

45 Egypt

1

649

101 Libya

-1

336

157 Tahiti

5

130

46 Czech Republic

-1

641

102 Vietnam

0

334

158 Liberia

-7

129

47 Ghana

3

624

103 Niger

6

323

159 Kuwait

1

128

48 Nigeria

-1

618

104 Haiti

4

322

160 Barbados

-2

127

49 Bulgaria

4

614

105 Azerbaijan

21

321

161 Nepal

3

118

49 Cameroon

1

614

106 Madagascar

8

308

162 Vanuatu

-7

117

51 Hungary

-2

612

107 Mauritania

-2

304

163 Belize

6

115

52 Burkina Faso

46

+ / – Points

Rank Team

FIFA/COCA-COLA MEN’S WORLD RANKING

2

604

108 Korea DPR

2

303

164 Indonesia

0

111

53 Norway

-5

596

108 Central African Republic

7

303

165 Fiji

2

104

54 Jamaica

-2

588

110 Jordan

8

296

166 Cambodia

4

103

55 Panama

0

571

111 Sierra Leone

-8

292

166 Papua New Guinea

14

103

56 Slovenia

9

558

112 Kenya

-1

291

168 Grenada

-5

102

/ FIFA 1904

Last updated: 7 June 2018

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking


PANINI STICKERS

WORLD CUP-WINNING CAPTAINS

© PANINI

Panini has been producing the much-loved stickers since 1970. We have compiled all of the World Cup-winning captains since Mexico 1970. Enjoy!

FIFA 1904 /

47


FIFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

BURLEANU’S NEW FOUR-YEAR TERM

MANCINI TAKES CHARGE

Răzvan Burleanu has been re-elected as the President of the Romanian Football Federation (FRF). The 33-year-old, the son of a former footballer – his father Gheorghe Burleanu made more than 350 top-flight appearances for various clubs in Romania – was confirmed in office for a second four-year term at the association’s general assembly in Bucharest. He first became President of the FRF in 2014. “My gratitude goes to the FRF team for their hard work over the last four Roberto Mancini is

Italy’s failure to qualify for

titles, and Manchester City,

years,” Burleanu said after his

the new coach of the

the 2018 FIFA World Cup

whom he led to the English

re-election. “I am proud to be

Italian national team.

Russia™. Capped 36 times

Premier League title in

part of this family. I wish to

The 53-year-old takes charge

by Italy during his playing

2011/12. Ranked 19 in the

launch a message of unity,

of Gli Azzurri after leaving

career, the former striker

latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World

and will do my best to have

his previous post as manager

enters the international

Ranking, Italy will look to

this unity over the next four

of the Russian club Zenit

coaching ranks after success-

return to the big stage by

years as well.”

St Petersburg. He succeeds

ful spells in club manage-

securing qualification for

Gian Piero Ventura, who left

ment at Inter Milan, where

UEFA EURO 2020.

the role last November after

he won three Italian Serie A

GORKŠS ELECTED

2004 finals in Portugal.

the assembly after his elec-

The ongoing Walton

Former Latvian

Indriksons has been named

tion. “You have voiced your

U-18 Football Tour-

international

Honorary LFF President.

support not only for me, but

nament, currently

Kaspars Gorkšs

th

also for the whole of Latvian

being held in cup format, will

sional football last winter. He

football.” Gorkšs pledged to

be played in league format

President of the Latvian Foot-

won 89 caps for Latvia

further develop the country’s

starting next season. The

ball Federation (LFF). Gorkšs,

between 2005 and 2017,

football infrastructure. “I am

decision was taken at the 10th

who will serve a two-year

and captained his country for

committed to starting the

general meeting of the execu-

term after his election at the

several years. In a distin-

process and fulfilling my

tive committee of the Bangla-

LFF general assembly in Riga,

guished career as a defender,

programme,” he said.

desh Football Federation (BFF).

succeeds Guntis Indriksons,

he played for clubs in Latvia,

“I used to fight until the very

The meeting was chaired by

who has stepped down after

England, the Czech Republic,

end on the football pitch,

BFF President Kazi Salahuddin.

being at the helm of Latvian

Greece and Sweden. “This is

and I will have the same

The executive comittee mem-

football since 1996 – a

an immense honour and

attitude towards my new

bers also agreed that from

period during which Latvia

responsibility for me,” the

role and all of the associ

next season, the Pioneer

qualified for the UEFA EURO

36-year-old told delegates at

ation’s demanding tasks.”

48

/ FIFA 1904

­

Gorkšs retired from profes-

has been elected as the new

Football League will include

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

NEW U-18 TOURNAMENT FORMAT


Group Leader Laura Corica.

landmark moment for foot-

important and fundamental

try of Education, the Yalla

TMS training is offered by

ball in the country with the

decisions were also taken

Riyada Bus will be touring all

FIFA to all member associ

completion of the Collective

at the meeting regarding

governorates across Jordan

ations worldwide and is based

Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

the country’s top-tier pro

on the FIFA Regulations on

The two organisations have

public schools for children

the Status and Transfer of

come together to agree on

­

to organise sports festivals at

fessional football competi-

and youth, in order to en-

Players. On the first two

equity and parity for their

courage them to integrate

days, FIFA TMS officials met

senior men’s and women’s

as 13 teams will be eligible to

physical activity into their

with PFF officials to discuss

national teams, after working

play in the upcoming BPL

daily lives, and to provide

how the association imple-

diligently to present a new

season upon fulfilling the

teachers and coaches with

ments TMS. They also dis-

agreement which reflects the

conditions of club licensing

the knowledge and tools to

cussed player registration via

need for change. The revised

regulations. From next

maintain a fun and age-

the MyPFF registration

CBA offers four key factors

season, BPL matches will be

appropriate training year-

programme for professional

for both the elite male and

played in at least five differ-

round programme within their

players, as well as for grass-

female footballers: pay parity,

ent venues and at most

communities. The teachers

roots, minor, and women’s

equal prize money, equal

eight. A single venue can be

and coaches who will be

football. The third day saw

rights for image use and,

the home ground of no more

involved will also be invited

PFF officials and the six

most notably, parity across

than two teams. Moreover,

to participate in the S4D

participating PFL clubs under-

travel while representing New

all clubs will be allowed to

qualification programme that

go formal TMS training. The

Zealand. New Zealand Foot-

recruit a maximum of four

is not only aiming to improve

training focused on inter

ball Chief Executive Andy

foreign players, one of

the youth’s sporting skills but

national transfers, transfers of

Martin said it was a signifi-

whom must be under the

also to strengthen their social

minors, and the regulations

cant announcement for

Asian quota.

skills in order to become role

of claims processing. “We

football in the country. “We

models for others following

thank the FIFA TMS team for

are pleased to have the

the principles of respect,

conducting the briefing to

Collective Bargaining Agree-

tolerance, discipline, empa-

clubs and officials on the

ment confirmed, and with

thy, fair play and confidence.

importance of the Transfer

parity for both the All Whites

Matching System,” said PFF

and the Football Ferns,”

General Secretary Edwin

Martin said. “The Football

Gastanes. “We have been

Ferns, who are ranked inside

TMS TRAINING

­

tion – the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). As many

“YALLA RIYADA BUS”

assisted by FIFA TMS for the

the top 20 in the world, are

FIFA Transfer

past two years now, and we

the flagship of women’s

Matching System

appreciate their efforts to

football in New Zealand. They

(TMS) officials

help our clubs comply with

are role models for the

recently conducted a three-

the TMS regulations in the

30,000 female players

day TMS training session and

hope that the Philippines will

throughout our country. It is

briefing for the Philippine

be fully compliant with TMS.”

important to recognise their

Football Federation (PFF) and

contribution and form a

The Asian Foot-

the Philippines Football

revised agreement alongside

ball Development

League (PFL) clubs at the PFF

Project (AFDP)

The AFDP

­

cooperation with the Minis-

­

U-15 football teams. Some

House of Football. The train-

EQUALITY FOR FOOTBALLERS

the PFA,” he added. Harry Ngata, a former All White

and the German Develop-

ing was conducted by FIFA

ment Cooperation (GIZ)

TMS Compliance Group

The New Zealand

tive, is also pleased with the

Sport for Development

Leader Barry Lysaght, FIFA

FA and the New

terms of the new agreement.

programme (S4D) recently

TMS Compliance Legal Coun-

Zealand Profes-

“We are delighted to have a

celebrated the official launch

sel Bernhard Weber, and FIFA

sional Footballers’ Association

combined agreement across

of the “Yalla Riyada Bus”. In

TMS Training & Support

(NZPFA) have announced a

our All Whites and Football

and the NZPFA Chief Execu-

FIFA 1904 /

49


FIFA MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

Ferns,” he said. “We are

would go a long way in

clear that his target would

confident this will add posi-

helping develop football

be to take Kenya either to

tive benefits to our elite

talents in the country. “The

the 2019 or 2021 Africa Cup

The Ecuadorian

programmes, not just for

Grassroots Programme is

of Nations. “He is a coach

Football Associa-

today’s players but for those

where football development

who has vast experience on

of tomorrow. The focus on

starts, and without any

the continent, and we are

started promoting a cam-

gender equality was a signifi-

knowledge, it would be very

confident that he will suc-

paign on the anti-violence

cant outcome that the men

difficult to develop football

ceed with us. We have been

law in stadiums, aimed at

were extremely passionate

and realise our dreams. We

in talks for a while and we

punishing all those who

about. We’re looking forward

always prioritise our desire to

are happy that we finally got

threaten the safety of the

to ensuring the success of our

increase our footballing

our man. As an association,

fans before, during and after

national teams,” he added.

knowledge through educa-

we will give him maximum

a match. For this reason, a

tion,” he said. He urged the

support and we have held

year ago, FEF President

schoolkids to take inspiration

talks with the government

Carlos Villacís presented the

from this programme and

who have also promised to

draft law on anti-violence in

also become great players,

support him,” Mwendwa

stadiums at the National

coaches and administrators

said. Migné has been a

Assembly of Ecuador, an

in football.

long-time assistant to experi-

initiative which, although it

Grassroots course

enced compatriot Claude Le

followed procedure and was

has ended with a

Roy and he says he has

duly presented before the

borrowed a lot of his men-

legislative plenary, has not

tor’s philosophies which he

yet been approved. Against

eight and 12 years old from

hopes to implement in his

this background, according

selected schools in Accra.

new sojourn. “I am happy to

to FEF sources, Villacís recent-

The course was attended by

be here, in Kenya. It is a new

ly met with the current

30 youth training coaches

challenge and a new oppor-

President of the National

under the supervision of FIFA

tunity for me. I have fol-

Assembly of Ecuador, Eliza-

Instructor Ulric Mathiot and

lowed Kenya for a while,

beth Cabezas. “We are

the Ghana Football Associa-

especially when we drew 1-1

committed to promoting this

tion (GFA) Technical Director

in Brazzaville and lost here in

initiative and making its

Oti Akenten, who trained the

Nairobi when I was with

implementation a priority, so

participants to educate

Congo, and I saw this as a

that this piece of legislation

youngsters through football

country with a lot of poten-

helps to prevent the recurring

and get them to love the

tial,” Migné said. His imme-

tragedies and incidents in

game. The highlight of the

diate assignment will be the

stadiums,” said Cabezas at

The five-day FIFA

football festival organised for schoolchildren between

MIGNÉ APPOINTED

tion (FEF) has

course was 100 school kids

Frenchman Sébas-

second 2019 Africa Cup of

the beginning of her speech.

between eight and 12 years

tien Migné has

Nations qualification match

The main objective of the FEF

been appointed as

against Ghana in September,

is that stadiums once again

festival held at the Ghana-

Kenya’s national team coach

and he remains optimistic

become a family-friendly and

man Soccer Centre of Excel-

for a three-year term, taking

that, despite Kenya starting

safe environment where one

lence. During the festival, the

over from Paul Put who

with a loss to Sierra Leone,

can celebrate football in

coaches practised what they

resigned in mid-February.

there is still a chance of

peace. Unfortunately, for the

had learnt throughout the

The 45-year-old Migné

redemption. “I know Ghana

time being, the draft law on

week, and had practical

arrives in Kenya after leaving

from my time at Congo, we

anti-violence in stadiums is

exams. GFA President Kwesi

his role with Congo. He was

played them in a World Cup

“permanently dormant”.

Nyantakyi thanked the

unveiled by Football Kenya

qualifier and I know it is not

With these words, Villacís

course instructor and FIFA

Federation President Nick

an easy task. But it is possi-

once again submitted the

for the course, saying that it

Mwendwa, who made it

ble to get good results.”

document to his counterpart

old taking part in a football

50

/ FIFA 1904

Tony Karumba/AFP

FOOTBALL FESTIVAL FOR SCHOOL KIDS

DRAFT LAW ON ANTI-VIOLENCE


Cabezas. “I thank you for this

TRAINING WORKSHOP

few welcoming words from

opportunity to ask you to

Enrique Sánchez, member

ensure that this law is given

of the executive council,

priority. This is not a personal

followed by Douglas Martínez,

request, nor do I ask on

Director for Development,

behalf of the FEF, but rather

Hugo Kuroki, General Director,

on behalf of the whole

and Michel Sánchez, APF

football family and football

Competitions and Licences

fans.” Villacís stressed,

Manager. First, the main

“Football is ‘the king of

objectives and the results expected from the five hour

should also unite rival fans,

training session were ana­

-

sports’, it unites families and rather than divide them”.

The department

football. “Nowadays, foot­

lysed. Then, the lawyer

Cabezas then reaffirmed her

for the manage­

ball, a mass phenomenon, is

Bernardino Caballero, APF

ment of competi­

opening up possibilities for

and CONMEBOL National

this issue, which is of general

tions and licences of the

women’s football to grow

Security Officer, discussed

interest. “We are going to

Paraguayan Football Associa­

daily, paving the way for

the “Operative Security

find a satisfying response to

tion (APF) ran a training

social inclusion, which is very

Plan”. He stressed the impor­

the request from all Ecuador­

workshop for female officials.

pertinent in our country. The

tance of safeguarding the

ians for a regulation and law

According to the APF official

workshop is therefore ex­

integrity of all those involved

which would regularise and

page, the purpose of this

tremely valuable for the

in a sports event. APF Infor­

prevent such incidents,” she

important event was to

development of women’s

mation and Technology

added.

enhance the participants’

football,” said the APF. The

Manager Segismundo Torres

knowledge so that they could

topics discussed, among

presented the digital plat­

subsequently be involved in

others, were: working proce­

form of the COMET system,

the women’s football matches

dures, tournament regula­

and an IT expert demonstrat­

organised by the highest

tions and the COMET system.

ed the process of transferring

authorities in Paraguayan

The workshop started with a

data.

close with the presentation

for Education Programmes

a daily basis with handbooks,

women’s senior team, the

of certificates to the partici­

Roberto Perna, FIFA Technical

and hope they can now work

Elite U 15 boys’ team and

pants following five days of

Consultants Willi Ruttenstein­

a little bit more easily on their

Prisons FC. “With this, we

intense discussions, bilateral

er, Rodrigo Kenton and Lenny

daily routines; thirdly, we had

hope we can improve the

meetings, analysis and

Lake along with local Techni­

bilateral meetings with each

knowledge of the technical

interactive sessions both on

cal Director and FIFA Techni­

technical director to elabor­

directors in the member

and off the field. The partici­

cal Director Expert Anton

ate specific and tailor made

associations. It is part of a

pants came from Trinidad

Corneal and FIFA Regional

systems for them, and finally

process and not an isolated

and Tobago, Suriname, the

Development Manager

we used practical analysis

event, and we want to be

US Virgin Islands, Jamaica,

Marlon Glean. “We wanted

with match analysis, training

closer to these technical

Guyana, the Cayman Islands

to orchestrate this workshop

observation and coaching

directors and support them.

and St Kitts and Nevis. FIFA

on four pillars. One of them

education observation,”

We also want to do some

Head of Technical Develop­

was to know more about the

Nepfer told TTFA Media. The

monitoring to be able to

ment Services Juerg Nepfer

situations of the technical

practical sessions were

assist them better in their

attended the first half of the

directors here; secondly, we

conducted during training

work for the development of

workshop and was accom­

wanted to give them some

sessions and game situations

football in their specific

panied by FIFA Group Leader

tools for their operations on

with the Trinidad and Tobago

countries,” Nepfer added.

commitment to prioritising

WORKSHOP FOR TECHNICAL DIRECTORS The FIFA Technical Directors Work­

HO

-

-

shop came to a

FIFA 1904 /

51



BIOLOGICALLY BANDED GAMES

Development Academy clubs

er ages, we’ve got a lot of

Director James Bunce said.

late developers. The physical

“The early maturing players

girls’ bio banded teams

challenges our players face in

are the ones that often get

organised youth

(Lonestar SC Academy, Solar

our conference, which is very

overlooked as beneficiaries

sports in the United

-

fielding both the boys’ and

For the first time in

Development Academy clubs

Girls/Houston Dynamo Youth

of the physical nature. So,

often dominating their age

fielding teams of players

Boys) competed in two

this environment provided

groups, and while that

grouped by similar biological

80 minute games against

them with another oppor­

might be perceived as really

maturity, instead of chrono­

normally familiar division

tunity or another avenue to

exciting and successful in

logical age, took to the pitch

rivals at their chronological

see what they can do.” The

the younger age groups, it’s

at the Round Rock Multi­

age teams. “This event was

purpose and science behind

kind of like a false dawn

purpose Complex in the U.S.

something that intrigued us

bio banding is to create a

and potentially a step back

Soccer’s Bio Banding Initiative

as a club,” Lonestar SC

new, challenging environ­

in their optimal develop­

kick off event. The initiative,

Academy Director Victor

ment for players that elimin­

ment. When they get older

part of U.S. Soccer’s ongoing

Pace said. “We found it very

ates physical dominance and

and everyone’s maturity and

effort to develop world class

interesting and very support­

sees that players rely more

physicality level out, they

players, coaches, and refer­

ive. For us, on both ends of

on technical and tactical

can often drop out of the

ees, was spearheaded by the

the scale, it was important

abilities. “Bio banding

system because they’ve

association’s High Perfor­

that we looked at this to see

benefits both the early and

been over relying on their

mance Department. From 21

how it could benefit us as a

late maturing players,” U.S.

physical attributes as a

to 22 April, the participating

club. Especially in our young­

Soccer High Performance

youth player.”

-

-

US Soccer

-

-

-

They are the ones that are

-

of the bio banding concept.

in some games, just because

-

strong, are insurmountable

and Houston Dash Youth

-

Soccer Club, Dallas Texans

States, eight U.S. Soccer

FIFA 1904 /

53


THEN

1999 SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Franco Origlia / Getty Images

Two boys in Inter Milan kits chill on a step in front of a mural of their idol Ronaldo in the Santo André favela.

54

/ FIFA 1904


NOW

2018 CAIRO, EGYPT

Khaled Desouki / AFP

The Egypt international and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah immortalised in a mural by the 26-year-old artist Ahmed Fathy (centre).

FIFA 1904 /

55


A FIFA LEGEND’S CAREER

1988-1991 Newell’s Old Boys, River Plate, Boca Juniors Three clubs in as many years as “Batigol” warms up for his European adventure. His form is rather up and down in this period of his career, with River Plate coach Daniel Passarella even banishing him from his squad at one point. In 1991, however, an excellent season at Boca Juniors (top goalscorer and Clausura champion) attracts the attention of other clubs.

1988

Bruce Springsteen’s concert in East Berlin is the biggest concert in the history of East Germany.

56

/ FIFA 1904


1991-2000 AC Fiorentina “Batigol” scores 168 goals in his nine-year stay in Florence, and he even refuses offers to leave the club following their relegation to Serie B in 1993 in order to spearhead the Tuscans’ promotion campaign the following season. The Fiorentina fans would later erect a bronze statue in his honour, and in 2016, he is named an honorary citizen

1991

The Soviet Union is dissolved.

of Florence.

2000-2003 AS Roma AS Roma pay more than EUR 35 million for Batistuta, now 31, and in 2001 they finally win the Scudetto again after an 18-year wait. Batistuta is also loaned to Internazionale towards the end of his three-year contract.

2000

The euro falls to an all-time low of 82.52 cents against the US dollar.

Illustration: Jorge Lawerta

2003-2005 Al-Arabi “Batigol” sees his career out in some style, setting a new Qatari league record with 25 goals in 21 games for Al-Arabi.

2003

Roger Federer wins his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

FIFA 1904 /

57


PHOTO ARCHIVE

One man’s pain is another man’s joy Italian star Roberto Baggio hangs his head in despair after firing his decisive penalty over the bar in the 1994 World Cup final shootout at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California – much to the delight of Brazilian goalkeeper Cláudio Taffarel (17 July 1994).

Mike Powell / Getty Images



YOU WANT TO ENJOY EVERY SECOND OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP™. WE HELP MAKE SURE YOU CATCH EVERY MOMENT.

With Visa, the official payment services partner of the FIFA World Cup™, the fun doesn’t need to stop. Paying quickly and easily with Visa helps you enjoy every moment of the FIFA World Cup™.


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

THE DIGITAL TEAM PLAYER

Dress rehearsal A player stats tablet used during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 in the Chile v. Germany match at Saint Petersburg’s Krestovsky Stadium on 2 July.

FIFA is providing all teams of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ with a player stats tablet as part of a technical set-up for match analysts and coaching teams. The digital team player is here. By Perikles Monioudis In the old days, a football team consisted of the player squad,

media tribune. The analyst analyses the player metrics, reviews

the coaching staff, including a goalkeeper and junior coach,

important match situations and can suggest possible improve-

the physio team, the masseur, the person responsible for

ments using an analyst application.

and can use wireless technology to talk to the co-trainer,

coach would have a short list on hand showing which

who can send messages back to the analyst via a chat tool.

opponents preferred which corner of the goal in a penalty

At half-time, an analysis of certain game situations can be

shoot-out.

given in the changing room.

Ever since big data appeared on the sports scene, new team

And that is how we have called into being a digital team

members have emerged: electronics and software. In Russia,

player. One thing is clear though: they only play a supporting

FIFA will offer each national team two tablets: one for the team

role. Without experienced professionals in the coaching team,

analyst watching the match from the media tribune and the

any technological real-time assistance would be stuck in a

other for the coaching team on the bench.

virtual limbo.

Two tracking cameras in the media tribune track the positional data of players and the ball. The processed data and live footage are then transmitted to the media workstation in the 62

/ FIFA 1904

The team analyst can send charts and tables with the tablet

took advice on crib sheets, and sometimes the goalkeeper

and some other helping hands. Of course, coaches occasionally

Stuart Franklin / FIFA via Getty Images

technical matters, including the balls, jerseys, etc., the driver


FANS

“WE ARE ABLE TO PICK UP ON CERTAIN VISUAL SIGNS MUCH BETTER THAN HEARING FANS” There are 70 million people around the world who are deaf or hard of hearing. Many of them love football and appreciate what FIFA has to offer them during the World Cup: a summary of every match in sign language. Alan Schweingruber spoke to Head of Production Stanko Pavlica.

Stanko, as a deaf person, when are you especially at a disadvantage when you watch football? Pavlica: We can of course see what’s happening on the pitch. However, there are many things that we always catch just a little too late, for example, when the referee blows his whistle. We often only realise afterwards that the match was stopped because of a foul, or we end up jumping for joy even though the referee already decided ages ago that it was offside.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GAMES FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING IN INTERNATIONAL SIGN LANGUAGE: FIFA will publish short summaries of all 64 World Cup matches in sign language. This is a special service that gives some 70 million people who are deaf or hard of hearing around the world the opportunity to see a short summary of the matches in sign language after the final whistle.

Do you prefer going to the stadium or watching a match on TV? Going to the stadium is a cool experience for us too. It’s best when we can sit as close as possible to the pitch. That way we can see the faces and gestures of the players and it’s much easier for us to gauge the atmosphere. We are able to pick up on certain visual signs much better than hearing fans.

Ben Moreau / FIFA

How do you mean? We are not distracted by noises and don’t feel the need to react to them. It means we automatically focus much more intensely on what we see. Sometimes something happens in the background that may seem unimportant but that we notice. The deaf are much better at grasping what it is they see and can often tell what is going to happen next. A good example of that is when players dive; we can usually tell when they are going to do it. For the third time, deaf fans will be able to follow a summary of all 64 World Cup matches in sign language on FIFA.com. Did you get much feedback? Yes, lots and most of it was positive. Deaf fans appreciate this service very much, as does the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). It would be great if other media offered sign language in their sports coverage.

FIFA 1904 /

63


COMING UP

PUBLICATION DETAILS: FIFA 1904 – PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FIFA).

AUGUST 2018 THE TECHNOLOGY OF FOOTBALL

PUBLISHER FIFA,

Make football fairer – it’s hardly a new objective, but it is one that can now be

FIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box,

pursued with greater vigour thanks to technology. Video assistant referees and

8044 Zurich, Switzerland

goal-line technology, for example, can help referees to avoid making clear and

Phone +41 (0)43 222 7777

obvious errors.

PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino SECRETARY GENERAL Fatma Samoura

But technology also offers so much more. It can be used to analyse players’

CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

performances in real time, it has so many uses in training sessions, and it is also

Fabrice Jouhaud

part and parcel of a whole new sector of the game – electronic sports (or gaming).

HEAD OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS

So sit back and read more about these and other technological innovations in

Rüdiger Müller

the beautiful game!

CHIEF EDITOR Perikles Monioudis STAFF WRITERS Alan Schweingruber (Deputy Editor), Annette Braun ART DIRECTION Marc Salvador i Puigarnau PICTURE EDITOR Peggy Knotz LAYOUT Susanne Egli, Linda Schwartz

At the adidas lab in London You can now see in real time the former German captain Michael Ballack’s ability to turn the game around.

TRANSLATION AND PROOFREADING English: Andrew Hurley, Stuart Makin, Milica Sajin, 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 2018). The editor and staff are not obliged to publish unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. The views expressed in FIFA 1904 are not

FIFA and the FIFA logo are registered trademarks. Made and printed in Switzerland. 64

/ FIFA 1904

ADIDAS

necessarily those of FIFA.


GRASSROOTS

FIFA inspiring girls and boys to play football. FIFA’s Grassroots programme is the core foundation of our development mission, aimed at encouraging girls and boys around the world to play and enjoy football without restrictions. Grassroots focuses on the enjoyment of the game trough small-sided team games, and teaching basic football technique, exercise and fair play.

For more information visit FIFA.com



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.