Pablito magnificently propelled Italy, against all odds, to FIFA World Cup™ glory in 1982. Diego delivered a mind-blowing campaign as Argentina conquered the Trophy four years later. With quotes, videos, statistics and more, we hail two unforgettable footballers.
This document lays out a plan to further modernise the football world, make it increasingly inclusive and pave the way to a landscape in which, one day, we will have around 50 national teams and 50 clubs from all continents at a top competitive level. This is a vision to make football truly global.
Iceland
Bearded, tattooed and brimming with passion, Aron Gunnarsson is widely seen as the embodiment of Iceland’s national team. He was named captain at 23, and a famous back tattoo – based on the country’s coat of arms – reflects his pride in holding that position.
When Iceland beat England to reach the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter-finals, it was Gunnarsson who led the first player-fan rendition of the now-legendary ‘Viking Clap’. But from the moment Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson began moulding a team that would write football history, they had identified this all-action midfielder as the rock on which they would build.
“He’s a shining example of what we would like to stand for,” Hallgrimsson said in 2018. “What he stands for as a player… he’s our living identity.”
Given this glowing tribute, it should be no surprise that one of the first calls Hallgrimsson made, after leaving Iceland to take charge of Qatari side Al Arabi, was to his former skipper. Gunnarsson, restless and ready for a change, took up the offer that followed. And it was from his new home in Qatar that the 31-year-old spoke to FIFA.com, discussing Iceland’s heartbreaking EURO qualifying failure, their FIFA World Cup™ hopes and life in the country that will host the 2022 finals.
Bearded, tattooed and brimming with passion, Aron Gunnarsson is widely seen as the embodiment of Iceland’s national team. He was named captain at 23, and a famous back tattoo – based on the country’s coat of arms – reflects his pride in holding that position.
When Iceland beat England to reach the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter-finals, it was Gunnarsson who led the first player-fan rendition of the now-legendary ‘Viking Clap’. But from the moment Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson began moulding a team that would write football history, they had identified this all-action midfielder as the rock on which they would build.
“He’s a shining example of what we would like to stand for,” Hallgrimsson said in 2018. “What he stands for as a player… he’s our living identity.”
Given this glowing tribute, it should be no surprise that one of the first calls Hallgrimsson made, after leaving Iceland to take charge of Qatari side Al Arabi, was to his former skipper. Gunnarsson, restless and ready for a change, took up the offer that followed. And it was from his new home in Qatar that the 31-year-old spoke to FIFA.com, discussing Iceland’s heartbreaking EURO qualifying failure, their FIFA World Cup™ hopes and life in the country that will host the 2022 finals.
I get asked that question a lot: ‘Do we still have the hunger?’ And for me it’s a definite yes. It’s the best feeling ever to be representing your country in a big tournament.
England
Straightforward and self-assured, Millie Bright speaks the same way she plays. That unfussy honesty has also marked her steady, sustained rise to become one of the world’s leading players.
Bright’s status among the elite was further cemented last month when the England and Chelsea defender was named in the FIFA FIFPro Women's World11. That honour, bestowed following a poll among players across the world, reflects the esteem in which she is held by colleagues and rivals alike.
Leaving home to join Chelsea in 2015 was the key landmark in her subsequent journey to the top, with Emma Hayes having spotted something special in a defender she has long said "can become the very best”. It says everything for Bright’s development, and the Blues coach's influence on her on and off the field, that living up to that prediction has become a clear and unabashed target.
In this interview, the Lionesses centre-half speaks about those ambitions and her sources of inspiration, while reflecting on a bittersweet FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and looking ahead to this year’s Olympics.
Straightforward and self-assured, Millie Bright speaks the same way she plays. That unfussy honesty has also marked her steady, sustained rise to become one of the world’s leading players.
Bright’s status among the elite was further cemented last month when the England and Chelsea defender was named in the FIFA FIFPro Women's World11. That honour, bestowed following a poll among players across the world, reflects the esteem in which she is held by colleagues and rivals alike.
Leaving home to join Chelsea in 2015 was the key landmark in her journey to the top, with Emma Hayes having spotted something special in a defender she has long said "can become the very best”. It says everything for Bright’s development, and the Blues coach's influence on her on and off the field, that living up to that prediction has become a clear and unabashed target.
In this interview, the Lionesses centre-half speaks about those ambitions and her sources of inspiration, while reflecting on a bittersweet FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and looking ahead to this year’s Olympics.
These days, whatever tournament or match I’m playing in, I really do try to make sure that I’m a standout. It’s something I’ve become more conscious of as I’ve developed as a player.
Croatia
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ represented a milestone for Croatian football, a summer fairy tale that will likely never be forgotten. Under Zlatko Dalic’s stewardship they made it to the Final, where they succumbed to a 4-2 defeat by France in a spectacular encounter.
The team subsequently underwent a period of transition as stars such as striker Mario Mandzukic and penalty-stopper supreme Danijel Subasic decided to call time on their international careers following that particular highlight. However Dalic, who has been at the helm since 2017, remained, determined that his path had not yet come to an end.
The 54-year-old successfully integrated talented youngsters into the side and led the national team to comfortable qualification for UEFA EURO 2020, which will take place in the coming summer. Before then, however, they face another serious test when the qualifying campaign for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ begins in March.
FIFA.com spoke to Dalic about the upcoming challenges, the difficulties 2020 brought, and coaching through the coronavirus pandemic.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ represented a milestone for Croatian football, a summer fairy tale that will likely never be forgotten. Under Zlatko Dalic’s stewardship they made it to the Final, where they succumbed to a 4-2 defeat by France in a spectacular encounter.
The team subsequently underwent a period of transition as stars such as striker Mario Mandzukic and penalty-stopper supreme Danijel Subasic decided to call time on their international careers following that particular highlight. However Dalic, who has been at the helm since 2017, remained, determined that his path had not yet come to an end.
FIFA.com spoke to Dalic about the upcoming challenges, the difficulties 2020 brought, and coaching through the coronavirus pandemic.
We fulfilled our dreams in Russia. But it also gives us an extra motivation because we know how special it is to make the whole nation so joyful and proud.
Mexico and Italy return to top ten
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Belgium
Pts. 1780
France
Pts. 1755
Brazil
Pts. 1743
England
Pts. 1670
Portugal
Pts. 1662
Spain
Pts. 1645
Malta join the party, USA stay top
Discover
USA
Pts. 2192
Germany
Pts. 2091
France
Pts. 2032
Netherlands
Pts. 2023
Sweden
Pts. 2009
England
Pts. 1999
As the world’s number one sport, football is uniquely placed to strengthen initiatives that can improve the lives of young people around the world.
