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May/June 2013 FIFA Congress preview | FIFA World Cup™ qualifying latest | Smoke-free stadiums | New health “signings” | Halfway point for African centres | Boateng on board | FIFA Confederations Cup special preview: tournament history, team profiles, Scolari interview Clash of champions Brazil set for FIFA Confederations Cup
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EDITORIAL
Confidence in FIFA –
and Brazil
Dear friends of football,
The next two months promise to be extremely important ones for FIFA, with
just two weeks separating the 63rd FIFA Congress in Mauritius at the end of
May from the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 in Brazil on 15 June.
The Congress is always a major event for FIFA, bringing together all 209 of
our member associations from around the world, but this year’s gathering has
particular significance, as we look to complete the far-reaching governance
reform process which was launched at the 2011 Congress in Zurich.
Two years ago, my pledge to restore FIFA’s credibility and good name
received the strong backing of the Congress delegates, and I was extremely
pleased when we were already able to realise our first set of reforms at
“This year’s FIFA last year’s meeting in Budapest. Back then, however, I also reminded our
members that we had only reached the halfway point and that a lot of
Congress has particular work still lay ahead.
I am happy to be able to report that this work is now close to completion,
significance as we look thanks to the combined efforts of the people who have served on our
to complete the far- Task Forces, on our working groups and on the Independent Governance
Committee, which has advised us and provided us with external, independent
reaching governance expertise every step of the way. The vital last step will only be taken, of course,
if we receive the approval of the Congress. Based on the overwhelming
reform process. I am mandate that I received from the Congress itself two years ago, however, and
confident that we will given the unity with which the FIFA Executive Committee has approached
the remaining reform proposals, I am confident that we will finally reach
finally reach our goal.” our goal at the end of May.
When it comes to the FIFA Confederations Cup, we can already look
forward to a competition of the highest calibre, with no fewer than four
current or former FIFA World Cup™ winners among the eight contenders.
What happens on the pitch at this event is always only half the story,
however, with the tournament also serving as an important test for the
main event one year later.
Just as was the case with FIFA’s reform process when we reached that
halfway point 12 months ago, there will clearly be a lot of work still ahead
for us all in Brazil as we move into the final stage of preparations for the
2014 FIFA World Cup™. But with FIFA, the Local Organising Committee
and the Brazilian authorities working hard together, I am certain that we
can look forward to a truly magnificent competition next year in one of
the world’s most passionate footballing nations.
For the Game. For the World.
Joseph S. Blatter
FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013 3
Around
the world
Treble joy for Monterrey from 11,481 in 2011 – but that overall
Mexican giants CF Monterrey became spending fell from USD 2.82 billion to USD
the first side to qualify for this year’s FIFA 2.53 billion. Despite the overall drop, clubs
Club World Cup after clinching their third spent more on fees to intermediaries, with
successive CONCACAF Champions League club-employed agents receiving USD 163
title in May. Taking on Santos Laguna in million, an increase of 28 per cent compared
an all-Mexican final, Monterrey were two to 2011. For more details on the report,
goals down with just half an hour remaining see page 26.
– but fought back with four goals of their
own, including three in the tie’s last seven Brazil in sight New leaders
minutes. “After being behind 2-0 against The identities of the first qualifiers for the The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and
a great team like Santos, you can’t imagine 2014 FIFA World Cup™ will also soon be South American Football Confederation
rallying like this,” said Aldo de Nigris, who known, with at least four teams set to (CONMEBOL) have both appointed new
scored twice. “Now we are a team who book their tickets in June for next year’s leaders in recent weeks. Bahrain’s Shaikh
have proven ourselves and made some extravaganza in Brazil. The completion Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (pictured) won
history.” This year’s Club World Cup line-up of Asia’s fourth qualifying round will a resounding election in Malaysia on 1 May
will take further shape in the coming weeks, determine which four Asian sides go to serve as the new President of the AFC
with the champions of Oceania set to be through automatically to the 2014 finals – for the 2013-2015 term. Former Uruguayan
crowned at the OFC Champions League with the third-placed teams in each group Football Association President Eugenio
final in Auckland on 19 May. Six days later, progressing to a fifth-round play-off for the Figueredo was meanwhile named as the
all eyes will be on London’s Wembley right to play the fifth-best team in South new head of CONMEBOL, following the
Stadium, as Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich American qualifying. South American resignation of its long-standing President
and Borussia Dortmund go head-to-head in leaders Argentina are, meanwhile, also Nicolás Leoz. The confederation said that
an all-German UEFA European Champions on the brink of automatic qualification Figueredo would serve as its President until
League final on 25 May. after taking four points from their latest at least May 2015, when the position comes
qualifying matches against Venezuela and up for election.
Bolivia in March. Alejandro Sabella’s side can
now make sure of their place by winning
their upcoming games against Colombia
and Ecuador. For more on the race to Brazil,
see our latest qualifiers wrap-up starting
on page 18.
International transfers
down
Football clubs spent ten per cent less on
international transfers in 2012 than they
did in 2011, according to the latest Global
Transfer Market report published by FIFA
Transfer Matching System in April. The
report showed that 11,552 cross-border
transfers took place last year – up slightly
4 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013
Inside
this issue
18
6 31 52
VIEW NEWS SPECIAL SUMMARY
6 12 44 74
Paris, Tokyo, FIFA Congress FIFA Confederations Associations
Manchester, Thun preview Cup 2013 Dismissals in Africa
Striking images from the Reform process set Champions gather for and Peruvian high-fliers
world of football for completion Brazil showdown
76
16 48 Men’s ranking
Counting down From Riyadh to Highs for Croatia and
the days the world Ecuador
Final preparations for Recapping the past
FIFA Confederations Cup eight editions 78
Women’s ranking
18 52 USA celebrate five years
Who will qualify? Scolari’s view on top
Crunch time approaches Exclusive interview with
in race for Brazil 2014 Brazil’s returning coach 80
Anniversary blues
31 56 Looking back on 75 years
A healthy bunch Meet the of Blue Stars
New stars join “FIFA 11 contenders
for Health” campaign Team profiles, star players
and key statistics
FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013 5
VIEW Floating pass France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena seems to master the art of levitation during his country’s FIFA World Cup™ qualifier at home to Spain in March. It was the Spanish who ended the night on a high, however, after securing a 1-0 win that lifted them back on top of European Group I. For more on the qualifiers, see our round-up starting on page 18. 6 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013
Fancy
footwork
A solid gold 25-kilogram cast of Lionel Messi’s
left foot has been put on sale by a Japanese
jeweller, at an asking price of USD 5 million. The
piece was produced with the blessing of the FC
Barcelona and Argentina star, with part of the
proceeds going via the Leo Messi Foundation to
help victims of the earthquake and tsunami that
hit Japan in 2011.
FIFA WORLD I VIEW 7
Tangled web Wigan Athletic players Maynor Figueroa and James McArthur come out on top in a three-way tussle with Manchester City’s Scott Sinclair during an English Premier League clash in April. 8 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013
Biting back
FC Zurich’s Loris Benito got more than he bargained for after
attempting to tackle a furry pitch invader during his side’s trip to
Swiss Super League rivals FC Thun.
FIFA WORLD I VIEW 9
Letters to FIFA
A selection of comments from the FIFA World and FIFA.com mailbags
March/April 2013 Kings of Africa
What a great [Africa Cup of Nations]
win for Nigeria – after 19 years of
waiting for the title. Burkina Faso also
Brazil stadium openings | Tournament ambassadors unveiled | +?PAFOS?JGjCPQNPCTGCUCB |
2C?KGLESN?E?GLQRK?RAF jVCPQ | South African legacy | Youth surprises in South America |
impressed me with their dramatic
,CU31UMKCLQJC?ESC | 1ËM.?SJMQC?QRCPLNPMKGQC | &MJJWUMMBRPC?RKCLRDMP KCPGA?L1?KM? |
improvement. There are so many
Brazil bound
African champions Nigeria complete good things coming out of African
FIFA Confederations Cup line-up
football. I’m also looking forward to the
Confederations Cup in Brazil, where I
know Nigeria will do well because we Cup Legacy Trust will help many youth
have proved we are “back in the game”. groups. More generally, it will help
FIFA.com user (Nigeria) soccer to develop here and assist the
country in the long term. It has been
The Africa Cup of Nations was really good to see which applicants have
March/April issue interesting and has launched African received support and also to find
teams that were previously considered out about the successful, sustainable
too small to be major players. projects that the Legacy Trust has
Congratulations to the team from my brought about.
country, Burkina Faso, who have finally FIFA.com user (South Africa)
become serious contenders in African
football. Fixing the fixers
Fay (Burkina Faso) FIFA is working in the right direction.
Cheating by fixing matches should be
The teams in this Africa Cup of totally eradicated in the beautiful game.
Nations all had equal chances, and no FIFA.com user (Nigeria)
matches were a foregone conclusion.
Congratulations to Nigeria and Burkina Female focus
Faso for showing team spirit right up Well, we have to start somewhere,
to the last whistle. Despite the fact that right? All of these women are brave
Mali and Ghana left disappointed, they and entrepreneurial. It’s great that
proved we could count on them for a women can join the FIFA Executive
good game. [Côte d’Ivoire’s] Elephants Committee and be able to contribute
disappointed me the most as they opinions from another perspective.
seemed to provide the least action. I Not just for women’s football, so
would have liked DR Congo to have that it continues to grow and gather
done better but I’m proud because they more support, but it is also important
left a strong impression despite their for these women to collaborate and
early elimination. participate in decisions on the men’s
FIFA.com user (DR Congo) game. That would be true integration.
Let us hear your views, either on what you FIFA.com user (Uruguay)
have read in FIFA World, or in regard to South Africa’s legacy
anything else in the world of international
football. You can contact us via e-mail at
Development is a [much-used] word American (Samoan) dream
feedback-fifaworld@fifa.org or by writing these days, yet we in South Africa are I’m a huge football fan but I have to say
to FIFA World, FIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box, thankful for such great investment that the article on American Samoa is
CH-8044 Zurich, Switzerland.
and know that the 2010 FIFA World one of the best I’ve ever read... it’s an
10 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013excellent story that touches your soul. I
can’t wait to see the movie. It’s so good
to read about these growth regions for
football. Thanks for the article.
FIFA.com user (Uruguay)
What a beautiful story. It made me
shed tears, especially the comments
from [team coach] Thomas Rongen.
Really fantastic! Long live American someone else tell you what you are matters in football. But maybe the
Samoa! I hope the game continues to capable of. Great work American American Samoan squad are the best, in
grow on this beautiful island. Samoa! a sense, because that love and passion
Jaes (Peru) Joanitox (Panama) for the team comes from the heart.
These are important lessons that other
What a great story! Never stop working This shows you that being the best in similar footballing nations can learn from.
for what you want, and never let the world is not the only thing that Joos (Chile)
Healthy measures
Football stars are lining up to promote key health messages. See page 31.
FIFA WORLD I VIEW 11NEWS Heading for clear waters The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius will provide the setting for the 63rd FIFA Congress at the end of May, as football’s world parliament gathers to vote on the final set of proposals in FIFA’s two-year governance reform process. 12 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013
The beautiful island location could hardly Following on from the major steps members of the FIFA Executive Committee.
be more apt, as the representatives of FIFA’s already approved at last year’s FIFA In relation to candidatures for the
209 member associations meet to discuss Congress in Budapest (see reform presidency, it is also proposed that these
the last set of proposals put forward as a process timeline on page 15), the member must be supported by at least five member
result of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter’s associations will vote on a final series associations, and that candidates must
2011 Congress pledge to steer “the of amendments, comprising ten main have played an active role in an association
FIFA boat … back into clear, transparent points aimed at further strengthening for at least two of the preceding five years.
waters”. The delegates will have little time FIFA’s governance structures, as well as The reform package also recommends
to savour the scenery beyond the Swami increasing the integrity, transparency and that all FIFA members increase the
Vivekananda International Convention representative nature of world football’s involvement of all relevant parties in
Centre, however, with a busy 19-point governing body. their own structures in order to ensure a
agenda awaiting them at the two-day Integrity checks for any candidates stronger representation of the game’s key
gathering. elected by the Congress (including stakeholders. Furthermore, the Congress
The most important piece of business candidates for the FIFA presidency) were will be updated on the voluntary re-
will clearly be the proposed amendments already put in place following the 2012 structuring of the International Football
to the FIFA Statutes relating to the last Congress, with the Mauritius proposals Association Board (IFAB) – the body which
remaining decisions in the two-year calling for these checks to be extended oversees any changes to the Laws of the
governance process. to other key position-holders, including all Game.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 13Announced at the IFAB’s last meeting the location of future final competitions, Blatter told FIFA World following the
on 2 March, this restructuring will following the drawing up by the FIFA latest FIFA Executive Committee meeting
involve, in particular, the creation of two Executive Committee of a shortlist of up in March. “Considering the unity that the
new advisory panels – one comprising to three bids. Supported by a detailed set Executive Committee has shown in its
refereeing experts and the other former of bidding and hosting regulations to be support for these remaining proposals, I
players and coaches, current coaches, and established by FIFA, the Congress will not believe that the reform process is on a good
technical directors – with the aim of further be able to award the hosting rights to track, but it is now up to the Congress to
improving consultation within the game more than one FIFA World Cup at the same give the final approval.”
and increasing the transparency of the meeting, and it will also not be possible for
IFAB’s decision-making process. one confederation to host two consecutive Beyond the reforms
editions of the tournament. While the final steps in the governance
Among the other proposed amendments reform process are likely to dominate media
“The reform process is to the FIFA Statutes included in the coverage of the event, a number of other
package are a series of clarifications and important matters will also be raised at
on a good track, but it is specifications, including in particular a re- the Congress.
now up to the Congress drafting of articles 2 and 3 to incorporate As usual, the Congress will be asked
stronger and more detailed wording on the to approve FIFA’s consolidated financial
to give the final promotion of ethics and the fight against statements for 2012 – which include a
approval.” discrimination respectively. positive annual result of USD 89 million
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter Following the vote on these multiple – as well as the detailed budget for 2014.
amendments, the Congress will then turn its A series of updates will then be provided
attention to two further items put forward: on a number of strategic and sports-
World Cup bids the introduction of age limits and that of political matters, including reports on
Concerning the bidding process for limited terms of office for key office-holders. FIFA’s ongoing efforts to tackle match-
the hosting of FIFA World Cups™, the “We were already able to pass a number fixing as well as discrimination and racism
proposals call for final decisions to be of landmark decisions at the 2012 Congress in football. In relation to the latter topic,
taken, in future, by the Congress. Already in Budapest, and I am now looking forward the Congress will also receive an update
approved in principle at the 2011 Congress, to the completion of this important process on FIFA’s new Task Force Against Racism
this will involve the FIFA Congress voting on in Mauritius,” FIFA President Joseph S. and Discrimination, which was created
in March under the leadership of FIFA
Vice-President and CONCACAF President
Jeffrey Webb.
As a follow-on to the reform process
items already approved by the Congress
in 2012, the member associations will then
be asked to elect the chairmen, deputy
chairmen and members of FIFA’s Audit and
Compliance Committee and of the judicial
bodies – comprising the two chambers
of the Ethics Committee, the Disciplinary
Committee, and the Appeal Committee.
Female elections
The first-ever formal election of a female
Female first: the 2013 FIFA member of the FIFA Executive Committee
Congress will see the first is also set to take place, following on
formal election of a female
from last year’s milestone appointment
member of the Executive
Committee, as well as a of Burundi’s Lydia Nsekera on a one-year
proposal to co-opt two co-opted basis. In addition, the Executive
additional women. Lydia Committee has asked the Congress to
Nsekera, Sonia Bien-Aime, Paula
approve the additional co-opting of two
Kearns and Moya Dodd are the
four candidates proposed by further female members, to bring the total
their respective confederations. number of women on the FIFA executive
14 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013From Zurich to Mauritius
A summary of the main steps already taken in the FIFA governance reform process
1 June 2011 FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter wins approval at the 2011 FIFA Congress for the launch of an extensive reform process, promising
to bring the organisation “back on the right route”.
21 October 2011 The FIFA Executive Committee sets up three new task forces to propose reforms in the areas of ethics, transparency and
compliance, and the revision of statutes.
17 December 2011 An Independent Governance Committee (IGC) is established, under the leadership of international governance expert Professor
Mark Pieth, to oversee the proposals put forward by the task forces and bring concrete proposals to the FIFA executive.
25 May 2012 Meeting in Budapest, the 62nd FIFA Congress approves a first set of reforms put forward by the task forces and the IGC. These
include:
– the splitting of the FIFA Ethics Committee into two chambers (one investigatory and one adjudicatory), each with an independent
chairman and deputy chairman;
– the replacement of the former Audit Committee by the new Audit and Compliance Committee (also under the leadership of
an independent chairman) with the addition of compliance issues to its competencies;
– the direct election by the Congress of the chairmen, deputy chairmen and members of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee
and of the judicial bodies – comprising the two chambers of the Ethics Committee, the Disciplinary Committee and the Appeal
Committee;
– the co-opting of the first-ever female member of the FIFA Executive Committee on a one-year basis, with the first election on
a four-year basis due to be held at the 2013 Congress;
– the approval of the FIFA Code of Conduct, laying down 11 core principles for behaviour and conduct to which all members of
the football community (e.g. officials, FIFA employees, players and associations) must adhere;
– integrity check for any candidate to be elected by the Congress.
28 September 2012 The FIFA Executive Committee announces the creation
of a working group chaired by Theo Zwanziger
with the purpose of consulting FIFA’s 209 member
associations on the remaining ten reform proposals
and corresponding amendments to the FIFA Statutes
put forward by the Task Force Revision of Statutes.
21 March 2013 The FIFA Executive Committee is presented with the
ten remaining reform proposals (see main text) and
agrees to put these before the 63rd FIFA Congress in
Mauritius. The executive also approves the revised
FIFA Organisation Regulations and the new General
Regulations for FIFA Development Programmes. In
addition, the committee proposes that two more
women be co-opted onto the Executive Committee,
pending approval by the Congress in Mauritius.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter launched the
reform process at the 2011 FIFA Congress in Zurich.
to three. Four women have been proposed levies that member associations currently to amend an article of the Regulations
by their respective confederations for the pay to FIFA every time an international Governing the Application of the Statutes
three posts, with Nsekera standing against match is played, while maintaining relating to players who have acquired a
Australia’s Moya Dodd, New Zealander the ability of the confederations and new nationality.
Paula Kearns and Sonia Bien-Aime of the associations to demand such levies if they
Turks & Caicos Islands. wish. There will be a full report on the outcome
In other business, the Congress will also There will also be a vote on a proposal and decisions of the 2013 FIFA Congress
vote on a proposal to remove the match by the Football Federation Australia (FFA) in the next issue of FIFA World.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 15Counting down the days The FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 is now less than a month away, and the past few weeks have seen a flurry of announcements in relation to both the “Festival of Champions” and next year’s 2014 FIFA World Cup™. FIFA World rounds up all the latest news from Brazil… Smoke-free stadiums the Confederations Cup, is in line with the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ smoke-free, a Fans enjoying the live action at the FIFA World Health Organization’s campaign for measure that was continued for the 2006 Confederations Cup and at next year’s FIFA smoke-free sporting events, and builds on and 2010 FIFA World Cups™. “The decision World Cup™ will be guaranteed a smoke- previous FIFA commitments to promote to make Brazil 2013 and Brazil 2014 free experience, after FIFA and the Local good health and a sustainable environment tobacco-free is a natural step in the history Organising Committee (LOC) announced a for players, stadium staff and supporters. of our flagship events,” said FIFA Secretary total ban on smoking during matches in all In 1986, world football’s governing body General Jérôme Valcke, adding that “FIFA stadiums. The March announcement, made announced it would no longer accept recognises that tobacco use and exposure at a media conference in Rio that marked advertising from tobacco companies. to second-hand smoke are harmful and the start of the 100-day countdown to Sixteen years later, FIFA designated the supports the WHO’s global efforts with a 16 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013
genuine interest in promoting health and in 2011 and 2012, the project is now due Officer Professor Jiří Dvořák told FIFA
security”. The announcement also drew to be rolled out at the FIFA Confederations World. “Biological profiling provides us
support from former World Cup hero, Cup before being used next year for the with an important new method, which
LOC Management Board member and first time at a FIFA World Cup. As well should prove much more efficient than
long-time smoker Ronaldo, who described as being subject to FIFA’s existing anti- random testing, while also carrying with
the smoke-free commitment as “another doping tests, all players taking part in the it a strong deterrent factor.”
incentive to stop smoking”. Confederations Cup will provide blood and
urine samples, which will then be used Record response
Goal-line decision Bumper crowds are already guaranteed
A major innovation at this year’s FIFA at this year’s FIFA Confederations Cup,
Confederations Cup will be the use of goal- Biological profiling with advance ticket sales showing massive
line technology to help referees determine provides us with an public interest in attending one of the 16
whether or not the ball has crossed the matches at Brazil 2013. As this issue of
goal line. In April, FIFA announced the
important new method, FIFA World went to print, with just under
appointment of Germany-based company which should prove two months still to go until the “Festival of
GoalControl as the firm who will provide Champions” kicked off, more than half a
much more efficient
the technology for this service at both the million tickets had already been allocated
Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA than random testing, for the event – corresponding to around
World Cup. GoalControl, whose system while also carrying with 70 per cent of the total number of tickets
relies on 14 high-speed cameras placed available. “These figures prove that the
around the pitch, was selected as the it a strong deterrent FIFA Confederations Cup, including four
result of a tender process involving the factor FIFA World Cup champions in the line-up,
four companies who have so far been is a highly anticipated event, especially for
Jiri Dvorak
licensed to install goal-line technology. those fans and local residents hoping to
The Confederations Cup will mark the first experience the action live in one of the
time that GLT has been used at a national to produce a unique genetic “blueprint” FIFA World Cup stadiums,” commented
team competition, following the successful for each individual. This will then make it FIFA Marketing Director Thierry Weil.
implementation of the technology at possible for anti-doping officials to detect Anyone still wanting to get their hands
December’s FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. any future deviations from a player’s on tickets should head to FIFA’s exclusive
normal “baseline” levels – with any such online booking service at www.fifa.com/
Smart tests changes offering a possible indication of ticketing which provides real-time updates
Another major first in Brazil will be the doping, which can then be investigated by showing the availability of tickets for each
introduction of biological profiling – FIFA’s further testing of the player involved. “Even match and category.
most far-reaching measure yet in the fight though there is no evidence of systematic For more on the FIFA Confederations Cup
against doping. Following successful pilot doping in football, it is vital that we remain 2013, check out our 28-page tournament
programmes at the FIFA Club World Cup vigilant in this area,” FIFA’s Chief Medical preview starting on page 44.
Goal-line technology will make its FIFA Confederations Cup debut at this year’s tournament; Brazil’s passionate fans have been quick to snap
up tickets for the “Festival of Champions”.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 17Crunch time
for Asia in race
to Brazil
Four Asian teams will book their place at the 2014 FIFA
World Cup™ in June, and become the first teams to join
the Brazilian hosts at next year’s sporting extravaganza.
Asian champions Japan will have it all to them through as the first team to qualify impressive fourth qualifying round. Trailing
do again on 4 June when they welcome for Brazil 2014. Alberto Zaccheroni’s side 2-0 with just over 20 minutes remaining,
Group B rivals Australia to Saitama Stadium are unlikely to take anything for granted, the Japanese managed to pull a goal back
for their next potentially decisive World Cup however, having already missed their first through Manchester United star Shinji
qualifier. Currently holding a six-point lead bite at the cherry a few weeks ago. Kagawa and were then handed a golden
at the top of the group (see “State of play Needing just a point to qualify away to chance to secure their ticket to Brazil when
– AFC”), the Japanese know that a draw Jordan on 26 March, Samurai Blue instead Atsuto Uchida was brought down in the
against the Socceroos will be enough to see suffered the first defeat of a hitherto penalty box.
Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabbah
saves a late penalty kick by Japan’s
Yasuhito Endō to deny the Asian
champions their first shot at qualifying
for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.
18 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabbah came
to his country’s rescue, however, diving
at full stretch to keep out Yasuhito Endō’s
subsequent spot-kick and earn the West
Asians their first-ever win against Japan.
“We headed into today’s game
determined to win,” said Sabbah as his
team celebrated a remarkable turnaround
from their 6-0 defeat in Japan last June.
“It was a hard game, but we showed our
best to get a good result which will boost
our confidence in the remaining qualifiers.”
Japan were, understandably, less happy
with the result, with Kagawa telling
reporters that the way they had played had
“left a sour taste” in the players’ mouths.
“The result was a huge disappointment
and everyone’s feeling down,” he added, Lionel Messi helped bring Argentina to
“but we will definitely secure qualification the brink of qualification with a stellar
performance against Venezuela in March.
in Japan in the next game. That’s all we’re
focusing on right now – getting the job
done back in Japan.”
While Japan remain heavy favourites for
qualification – with two more opportunities meeting that could prove decisive for one
to secure the point they need – the race or both teams, ahead of the round’s final
for second and third place in the group set of matches one week later.
QUALIFIERS
remains wide open, with just two points
separating the second-placed Jordanians Argentina closing in
from fifth-placed Iraq. Two-time world champions Argentina
State of play – AFC
A top-two finish is all that’s required could also wrap up qualification in June,
Group A Played Points
to secure automatic qualification to Brazil after picking up a win and a draw from Uzbekistan 6 11
2014, while the third-place finisher will their latest two qualifying matches in Korea Republic 5 10
have the opportunity to play off against March to remain four points clear at the Iran 5 7
the third-best team in Group A, with the top of the South American standings (see Qatar 6 7
eventual winner of that tie progressing to “State of play – CONMEBOL”). Lebanon 6 4
a decisive intercontinental play-off against The first game in March, at home to 4 June Qatar v. Iran
the fifth-best finisher in South American Venezuela, marked Lionel Messi’s 100th Lebanon v. Korea Republic
qualifying. game for Argentina at all age levels and 11 June Korea Republic v. Uzbekistan
Everything is also still to play for in Asian the Barcelona star certainly lived up to the Iran v. Lebanon
18 June Korea Republic v. Iran
qualifying Group A, although Uzbekistan occasion – scoring once from the penalty
Uzbekistan v. Qatar
and Korea Republic have managed to open spot and twice setting up Gonzalo Higuaín
up a small gap over the chasing pack in as the team ran out 3-0 winners. The result Group B Played Points
the race for the two automatic qualifying showed a considerable improvement by Japan 6 13
spots, thanks to their respective wins over La Albiceleste since their 1-0 defeat away Jordan 6 7
Lebanon and Qatar in March. to the Venezuelans in their second match Australia 5 6
Chasing their eighth straight appearance of the campaign, and also maintained Oman 6 6
Iraq 5 5
at the World Cup finals, and currently one Argentina’s record of having won every
point behind Uzbekistan, the Koreans will Brazil 2014 qualifier in which Messi has 4 June Oman v. Iraq
have the chance to go top of the group scored. Japan v. Australia
on 4 June when they travel to bottom side Unfortunately for the Argentinians, that 11 June Australia v. Jordan
Iraq v. Japan
Lebanon during a rest day for their Central record also continued into their next game,
18 June Australia v. Iraq
Asian rivals. The Koreans and Uzbeks will with Messi this time failing to find the back
Jordan v. Oman
then go head to head on 11 June in a of the net as the leaders were held to a
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 19former winners Uruguay are facing a major
struggle.
In what is starting to look like a qualifying
campaign of two halves, the 2010 FIFA
World Cup™ semi-finalists and reigning
South American champions have now
gone six games without a win – having
QUALIFIERS begun their bid for Brazil with a five-match
unbeaten run.
State of play – CONMEBOL Following a 1-1 draw at home to bottom
side Paraguay and a 2-0 defeat away to
Played Points Chile, La Celeste now face a crucial-looking
Argentina 11 24 match against fifth-placed Venezuela on
Ecuador 10 20
11 June. A further defeat in that encounter
Colombia 10 19
would not quite be enough to end the
Chile 11 15
Venezuela 11 15
Uruguayans’ qualifying hopes, but their
Uruguay 11 13 fans will already be well aware that they
Peru 10 11 face an extremely tricky run-in, with their
Bolivia 11 9 last three games in September and October
Paraguay 11 8 coming against the current leading trio of
Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina.
7 June Bolivia v. Venezuela
Newly crowned African champions
Argentina v. Colombia
Half-time in Africa Nigeria found the going unexpectedly
Paraguay v. Chile tough against Kenya.
Peru v. Ecuador Although not yet struggling in anything
like the same way as Uruguay, Nigeria
11 June Colombia v. Peru also discovered in March that continental progressing to the third and final round,
Ecuador v. Argentina crowns count for little when it comes to and June’s matches could prove decisive in
Venezuela v. Uruguay World Cup qualifying. Returning to their many of the groups, with only one further
Chile v. Bolivia
Brazil 2014 campaign after the highs of matchday to be played in September.
February’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations Several teams who missed out altogether
triumph, the newly crowned African on this year’s Africa Cup of Nations
1-1 stalemate away to the second-bottom champions only just managed to scrape appear to be bouncing back nicely, with
side, Bolivia. Nevertheless, Argentina a 1-1 draw against Group F’s bottom side former continental champions Egypt and
coach Alejandro Sabella saw little reason Kenya – with an 88th minute equaliser Cameroon among the sides topping their
to complain as his team stretched their from substitute Nnamdi Oduamadi groups after wins in March. The Egyptians
unbeaten run in the campaign to nine rescuing a point for the Nigerians – as the beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in Alexandria to
games to stay firmly in the driving seat. confederation’s second qualifying round maintain their perfect start in Group G,
“We created some clear-cut chances in reached its halfway point. while Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o marked
the second half and did enough to win,” Although still top of their group (see his return to the national team by scoring
Sabella told reporters in La Paz. “We “State of play – CAF”), the Super Eagles both goals in a 2-1 win over Togo which
managed to pick up a point, though, and are now level on points with surprise lifted the Indomitable Lions back above
it’s given the team’s confidence a boost. contenders Malawi, who have only twice Libya in Group I.
I’m going away very satisfied.” qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations and Another pattern that seems to be
Argentina will now be guaranteed a never yet made it to a FIFA World Cup. In emerging is a possible resurgence of
place in Brazil if they can win their two June, the two teams will take on Namibia North Africa’s leading sides, following
upcoming games in June. Neither will be and Kenya (Malawi playing both games the region’s lacklustre performances at the
easy, however, with the first match a home at home and Nigeria playing both games Cup of Nations. Tunisia have matched the
game against third-placed Colombia on 7 away) before contesting a potentially start made by Egypt by winning all three of
June, followed by a trip to second-placed decisive head-to-head encounter in Nigeria their matches so far, while Algeria currently
Ecuador four days later. on 6 September. top Group H, albeit level on points with
While Argentina close in on what would Africa’s second round is a case of “winner Cup of Nations semi-finalists Mali. With
be their 11th successive appearance at takes all”, with only the teams who come Libya only a point adrift of Cameroon,
the World Cup finals, fellow two-time out on top of the ten qualifying groups Morocco are the only North African
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 21team currently struggling. Second bottom
in Group C, and already five points behind
8 June Gabon v. Congo leaders Côte d’Ivoire, the four-time FIFA
9 June Niger v. Burkina Faso World Cup participants could already find
15 June Congo v. Burkina Faso themselves out of contention if they fail to
Gabon v. Niger win their next match against second-placed
Tanzania on 8 June.
Group F Played Points
QUALIFIERS
Nigeria 3 5
Malawi 3 5
Kiwi conquest, CONCACAF
State of play – CAF questions
Namibia 3 3
Kenya 3 2 While none of the world’s leading teams
Group A Played Points
have yet made sure of their place at Brazil
Ethiopia 3 7 5 June Malawi v Namibia
South Africa 3 5 Kenya v. Nigeria 2014, New Zealand have managed to take
Central African Rep. 3 3 12 June Malawi v. Kenya an important step towards next year’s
Botswana 3 1 Namibia v. Nigeria finals by clinching top spot in the Oceania
7 June Central African Rep. v. South Africa
qualifying competition (see “State of play
Group G Played Points – OFC”).
8 June Botswana v. Ethiopia
Egypt 3 9
15 June Botswana v. Central African Rep. Eking out a 2-1 home win over their
Guinea 3 4
16 June Ethiopia v. South Africa last remaining rivals New Caledonia on
Mozambique 3 2
Zimbabwe 3 1
22 March – thanks to a dramatic 94th-
Group B Played Points minute winner from defender Tommy
Tunisia 3 9 9 June Zimbabwe v. Egypt
Smith – the All Whites will now go on to
Sierra Leone 3 4 Guinea v. Mozambique
represent Oceania in November’s two-
Equatorial Guinea 3 4 16 June Mozambique v. Egypt
Cape Verde 3 0 Guinea v. Zimbabwe legged intercontinental play-off against the
side who finish fourth in the CONCACAF
8 June Sierra Leone v. Tunisia
Group H Played Points qualifying competition.
Cape Verde v. Equatorial Guinea
Algeria 3 6 “This was by far our worst game of
15 June Cape Verde v. Sierra Leone
Mali 3 6 the competition,” New Zealand captain
16 June Equatorial Guinea v. Tunisia
Benin 3 4
Winston Reid acknowledged after the
Rwanda 3 1
Group C Played Points decisive but hard-fought victory in Dunedin.
Côte d’Ivoire 3 7 9 June Mali v. Rwanda “Obviously we made a couple of chances
Tanzania 3 6 Benin v. Algeria but on the day [New Caledonia] were a
Morocco 3 2 16 June Mali v. Benin
little bit better than us. Sometimes you
Gambia 3 1 Rwanda v. Algeria
have a little bit of luck in football, though,
8 June Gambia v. Côte d’Ivoire and we had it tonight.”
Group I Played Points
Morocco v. Tanzania Just who New Zealand will go on to
Cameroon 3 6
15 June Morocco v. Gambia
Libya 3 5 face in November’s intercontinental play-
16 June Tanzania v. Côte d’Ivoire
Congo DR 3 4 offs is still anybody’s guess, with the first
Togo 3 1 three sets of fixtures in the final round of
Group D Played Points
Zambia 3 7 7 June Libya v. Congo DR CONCACAF qualifying failing to produce
Ghana 3 6 9 June Togo v. Cameroon any runaway leaders.
Lesotho 3 2 14 June Libya v. Togo Panama are the surprise outfit at
Sudan 3 1 16 June Congo DR v. Cameroon the top of the group, with the Central
7 June Sudan v. Ghana Americans one point clear of chasing trio
Group J Played Points
8 June Zambia v. Lesotho Costa Rica, the USA and Honduras (see
Senegal 3 5
15 June Zambia v. Sudan “State of play – CONCACAF”). Seeking
Liberia 3 4
16 June Lesotho v. Ghana what would be their first-ever qualification
Angola 3 3
Uganda 3 2 for a FIFA World Cup, the Panamanians
Group E Played Points
maintained their unbeaten start to the
Congo 3 9 8 June Uganda v. Liberia
Burkina Faso 3 3 Angola v. Senegal six-team “hexagonal” round in March,
Niger 3 3 15 June Uganda v. Angola after coming from behind to draw 1-1 in
Gabon 3 3 Liberia v. Senegal Jamaica and then beating the Hondurans
2-0 in Panama City.
22 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013QUALIFIERS
State of play – OFC
New Zealand have finished top of the Oceania
qualifying competition – with six wins from
their six final-round matches – and will now
contest a two-legged intercontinental play-off
in November against the fourth-best side from
CONCACAF’s qualifying competition.
Played Points
New Zealand 6 18
New Caledonia 6 12
Tahiti
Solomon Islands
6
6
3
3 Panama savouring
pole position
State of play – CONCACAF
It may appear at first sight as if the current World Cup qualifying standings for the CONCACAF
region have been turned upside down – with regional giants Mexico languishing near the bottom
Played Points
of the final-round table, and supposed underdogs Panama occupying pride of place at the top.
Panama 3 5
For the man who has overseen Los Canaleros’ charge to the summit, however, there is nothing
Costa Rica 3 4
freakish about the Central Americans’ lofty position.
USA 3 4
“I didn’t expect to be in first place at this juncture of the competition,” admits Panama coach
Honduras 3 4
Julio Dely Valdés, “but it’s not really a surprise in terms of our results or in terms of how well our
Mexico 3 3
team has been playing.”
Jamaica 3 2
Speaking to FIFA World after his side’s impressive start, which has included a win over Central
4 June Jamaica v. Mexico American rivals Honduras and draws with neighbouring Costa Rica and former FIFA World Cup™
7 June Jamaica v. USA qualifiers Jamaica, Dely Valdés credited the team spirit within his squad as a major reason for their
Costa Rica v. Honduras success to date.
Panama v. Mexico He warned, however, that there is still a long way to go before Panama can start to celebrate their
11 June Mexico v. Costa Rica first appearance at a World Cup finals – especially with Mexico and fellow regional heavyweights
Honduras v. Jamaica the USA up next in June.
USA v. Panama “It is difficult to get points from the United States and Mexico,” acknowledged Dely Valdés,
18 June USA v. Honduras whose charges play host to El Tri on 7 June before travelling to Seattle to face the Americans four
Costa Rica v. Panama days later, ahead of a further away game against Costa Rica on 18 June.
“We’ll close [the first half of the round] against Mexico, and will also play our last match of the
entire round against the United States [at home on 16 October] so these are key matches that I’m
visualising getting points from.”
The USA, chasing their seventh The June qualifiers are also described as “key” fixtures by striker Blas Pérez, whose ten goals
consecutive appearance at the finals, for Los Canaleros have formed a major contribution to the team’s successful run, but the forward
appear to have recovered from February’s believes it is Panama’s performances on home soil that will prove decisive.
shock defeat in Honduras – bouncing back “We know that if we win all the points at home, we’ll be almost halfway to the World Cup,”
in March with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica, Pérez calculates. “We want to pick up three points in every home game and try to add as many
points as we can away. We believe we have the quality, and we are prepared physically, mentally
before holding arch-rivals Mexico to a
and emotionally to be at the top of our game.”
goalless draw at the Azteca Stadium.
If the Panamanians can secure qualification, it will be a monumental achievement, but their coach
“We came here to win, but we are is not yet daring to think that far ahead.
satisfied with the result,” USA coach “I wouldn’t even like to imagine it,” Dely Valdés says. “There’s no way for me to put in it in words.
Jürgen Klinsmann said as the Americans It would be crazy. If Panama qualified, there would be a carnival all the way to the World Cup.”
celebrated their first World Cup
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 23qualifying point at the Azteca since 1997. German lead to just two points if they win
Hotshots “Our gameplan was simple: we wanted their two games in hand in June.
to squeeze the midfield and force Mexico The Netherlands have now made it six
to keep the ball up off the ground. When wins from six starts, bouncing back from
they started trying the aerial attack, we their disastrous UEFA EURO 2012 campaign
knew we were in good shape.” in style, with their latest victories coming at
The result went down less well with the home against Estonia (3-0) and Romania
Mexico fans, however, with El Tri having (4-0).
now drawn all three of their opening
matches, to leave them languishing in
fifth place above only the Jamaicans. “We are on our way
A busy period in June will now see the
six teams each contesting three further to the World Cup in
matchdays, with Panama facing a stern test Brazil, but we are not
of their leadership credentials when they
start at home to Mexico before travelling
there yet.”
to the USA and Costa Rica. Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal following
his side’s sixth win in six games.
Panama’s Blas Pérez is the leading
goalscorer still in contention for a place Taking shape in Europe
at Brazil 2014.
The European qualifiers were the last to “I thought it was the best match in this
get underway, but several clear patterns period under me,” said Netherlands coach
Alongside the race to qualify for the FIFA World
have also started to emerge as the nine Louis van Gaal after the Romania game.
Cup™, there is also always the separate contest groups reach or pass their halfway point. “We are on our way to the World Cup in
to finish as top scorer in qualifying. Belize Three-time world champions Germany Brazil, and I think the objective of the Dutch
striker Deon McCaulay still leads the way with and three-time runners-up the Netherlands Football Association would be to make
his impressive tally of 11, but could well be are certainly looking in strong shape to the semi-finals, but we are not there yet.”
overtaken by the chasing pack now that his qualify, with both sides picking up six Besides the Dutch, Russia are the only
country’s qualifying campaign is over.
points in March to go eight and seven other European team to have won all of
Below are the players who have scored seven
points clear respectively at the top of their their matches so far, but Fabio Capello’s
goals or more in their respective qualifying
competitions, with scorers from teams who groups – though Sweden could reduce the side were unable to play in March after
are still in contention shown in bold:
Player Team Goals scored
Deon McCaulay Belize 11
Blas Pérez Panama 10
Peter Byers Antigua & Barbuda 10
Gonzalo Higuaín Argentina 9
Georges Gope-Fenepej New Caledonia 8
Lionel Messi Argentina 8
Luis Suárez Uruguay 8
Álvaro Saborío Costa Rica 7
Chris Wood New Zealand 7
Clint Dempsey USA 7
Lê Công Vinh Vietnam 7
Edin Džeko Bosnia-Herzegovina 7
Hassan Mahmoud Jordan 7
Jacques Haeko New Caledonia 7
Jerry Bengtson Honduras 7
Shinji Okazaki Japan 7
Younis Mahmoud Iraq 7 Dutch masters: the Netherlands maintained their perfect start to the qualifying campaign
with wins over Estonia and Romania in March.
24 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013heavy snowfall caused the postponement
of their scheduled match in Northern
Ireland (now due to take place on 14 Group E Played Points
August). Switzerland 5 11
As a result of that forced inactivity, the Iceland 5 9
Albania 5 9
Russians are now just one point ahead
Norway 5 7
of chasing duo Israel and Portugal, who
Cyprus 5 4
both picked up four points in March – Slovenia 5 3
including a point each from their thrilling QUALIFIERS
7 June Iceland v. Slovenia
3-3 meeting with each other in Ramat Gan.
Albania v. Norway
The Portuguese could even overtake Russia 8 June Switzerland v. Cyprus
at the top of the group in June if they can State of play – UEFA
beat the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ hosts in
Group A Played Points
Lisbon, although the Russians would still Group F Played Points
Belgium 6 16
have two games in hand. Russia 4 12
Croatia 6 16
A number of exciting two-way tussles Israel 6 11
Serbia 6 7
Portugal 6 11
are also taking shape across the continent, Wales 6 6
Northern Ireland 5 3
with the duels between Belgium and FYR Macedonia 6 4
Azerbaijan 6 3
Croatia in Group A, Italy and Bulgaria in Scotland 6 2
Luxembourg 5 2
Group B and Montenegro and England in 7 June Croatia v. Scotland
7 June Portugal v. Russia
Group H all involving pairs of teams who Belgium v. Serbia
Azerbaijan v. Luxembourg
are yet to lose a game this campaign.
Belgium and Croatia are both due to
Group B Played Points
play at home in June – against Serbia and Group G Played Points
Italy 5 13
already-eliminated Scotland respectively Bosnia-Herzegovina 5 13
Bulgaria 6 10
– while Italy will open up a six-point lead Greece 5 10
Czech Republic 5 8
over the Bulgarians should they win their Slovakia 5 8
Denmark 5 6
Lithuania 5 5
game in hand away against third-placed Armenia 4 3
Latvia 5 4
Czech Republic. After missing the chance Malta 5 0
Liechtenstein 5 1
to overtake Montenegro in March, when 7 June Armenia v. Malta
7 June Latvia v. Bosnia-Herzegovina
they were held to a 1-1 draw in Podgorica, Czech Republic v. Italy
Liechtenstein v. Slovakia
England could find themselves five points 11 June Denmark v. Armenia
Lithuania v. Greece
behind their rivals in June, with the
Montenegrins due to host fourth-placed
Group C Played Points
Ukraine while England travel to Brazil for Group H Played Points
Germany 6 16
a friendly. Montenegro 6 14
Austria 5 8
Despite having lost their unbeaten record England 6 12
Sweden 4 8
in March following their 1-0 home defeat Poland 5 8
Rep. of Ireland 5 8
Ukraine 5 8
against reigning world champions and Kazakhstan 6 1
Moldova 6 4
Group I rivals Spain, 1998 FIFA World Cup™ Faroe Islands 4 0
San Marino 6 0
winners France also remain in contention 7 June Rep. of Ireland v. Faroe Islands
7 June Moldova v. Poland
with just a single point separating them Austria v. Sweden
Montenegro v. Ukraine
from Vicente del Bosque’s men. Neither 11 June Sweden v. Faroe Islands
side are in qualifying action in June,
however, offering Finland and Belarus a Group I Played Points
Group D Played Points
chance to pull themselves closer to the Spain 5 11
Netherlands 6 18
leading pair. France 5 10
Hungary 6 11
Georgia 5 4
Romania 6 10
Belarus 4 3
Turkey 6 7
Finland 3 2
A full review of the June qualifiers, Estonia 6 6
including profiles of the first teams to Andorra 6 0
7 June Finland v. Belarus
qualify for Brazil 2014, will be published No Group D matches taking place in June 11 June Belarus v. Finland
in the next issue of FIFA World.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 25Real Madrid’s signing of Croatian international Luka Modrić from Tottenham was one of the biggest international transfers of 2012 – but the majority of cross-border moves involve no money changing hands at all. Clubs cut back on international transfer spending Football clubs spent ten per cent less on international transfers last year, but paid 28 per cent more to intermediaries, according to the latest annual Global Transfer Market report published by FIFA Transfer Matching System GmbH (FIFA TMS) in April. The report, covering all international which involved a player moving to a club in ten per cent drop from the USD 2.82 billion transfers conducted in 2012, is the second a different member association than that shelled out during the previous year*. of its kind – following on from the inaugural of his former club) increased slightly in The report points out, however, that report covering 2011 – and is therefore the 2012 – with a total of 11,552 such transfers “although the overall international transfer first in which comparisons to the previous taking place over the course of the year activity for 2012 was in line with 2011, year can be made. compared to 11,481 in 2011. 2012 witnessed a greater involvement It shows, for example, that the total At the same time, overall spending on of intermediaries”. Player intermediaries number of international transfers (transfers those transfers fell to USD 2.53 billion, a (whether agents, lawyers or family 26 FIFA WORLD I MAY/JUNE 2013
members) were involved in 15 per cent surprising 86% of the moves completed in salaries of USD 720,000 and USD 680,000
of the year’s transfers – an increase in 2012 did not involve any money changing respectively) while players heading to
activity of nine per cent – while club-paid hands whatsoever. The main reason for clubs in Brazil and Argentina received an
intermediaries were involved in six per cent this is that 70 per cent of the players in average of USD 80,000 and USD 40,000
of deals, marking a 19 per cent increase in question were free agents (either because respectively.
comparison to 2011. their previous contracts had expired or
Despite the decrease in overall spending been terminated, or because they were To find out more…
on cross-border transfers, these club signing their first professional contract). A 60-page summary containing highlights
intermediaries enjoyed an average 28 per The remaining 16 per cent involved loan from the Global Transfer Market report
cent rise in the fees they received, with deals or permanent moves in which no can be downloaded free of charge from
the clubs spending a total of USD 163 money was paid by the player’s new club. the FIFA TMS website (www.fifatms.com).
million – an increase of USD 36 million – In the deals that did involve transfer For the first time, FIFA TMS is also offering
for their services. fees, the average amount of club-to- a 250-page fee-based full report, aimed
club compensation was USD 1.6 million, at professionals within the sports industry.
Accurate figures down from the 2011 average of USD 1.8 This includes more detailed statistics – such
While the amount of money involved in million. However, this mean average figure as breakdowns of the individual transfer
football transfers as a whole is generally is skewed upwards by a small number streams between specific countries and
subject to wild speculation, the figures in of big money transfers, with the median regions, country-level statistics on club
the FIFA TMS report are sourced directly transfer fee just USD 280,000. spending and players’ salaries, case studies
from the mandatory information that clubs The report also found “substantial” including interviews with leading football
and associations have to enter into FIFA’s differences in the salaries paid to players stakeholders and a full appendix with data
electronic Transfer Matching System in who switched countries in 2012 – with a featuring over 190 countries.
order for an international transfer to be wide variety even among the countries
approved. The report therefore provides with the largest amount of international * The 2011 report (featured in the March 2012 issue of FIFA World)
a highly accurate global view of the transfer activity. Italian and English clubs contained an inflated value of USD 3.1 billion for club-to-club compensation,
based on data incorrectly entered by clubs in the Transfer Matching System.
international transfer market, covering paid the most (with average annual fixed This has now been revised for the 2012 report.
over 200 countries and 5,600 professional
clubs around the world. Ins and outs Transfer types
“I’m happy that we can give the clubs Brazilian clubs generated the highest net receipts from The vast majority of international
information so that they can ask questions international transfers, while English clubs were the transfers involved out-of-contract
biggest net spenders. players.
about the industry as well,” said FIFA
TMS General Manager Mark Goddard Net recipients Net spenders
70%
on the day of the report’s publication. Brazil 121 million England 314 million
“Compared to other industries, what we Portugal 103 million Russia 256 million
are doing here for football is the equivalent Italy 91 million Turkey 78 million
of … hammering a stake in the ground – Netherlands 86 million China PR 49 million
because now, for the first time, we can Spain 50 million Germany 43 million
track the data on these topics.
8%
“We don’t yet have the data to go back In demand 12%
10%
ten years to track trends. That will have to Brazilians led the way once more when it came to the
wait. But the fact that we can quantifiably top nationalities represented in international transfers.
say ‘this is accurate information’ allows 1,463
so many different stakeholders to make 85% 15% 36% 64%
a lot more decisions in a more informed
fashion. And that information is not just 782 Engage Engage
player on loan
useful for FIFA. It’s for clubs and even the
507
players themselves.” 394
334 331 319 287 285
232 213 212 188 177 174
Engage out of contract
Not all millionaires Engage on loan
The Global Transfer Market report also az
il a * e y ia ia in
tin om ranc gua iger mb Spa erb tug
ia al
Ita
ly tia a
an voir
e
US
A Engage player
Br en oa Gh d‘I Return from loan
g ng
d F
Ur
u N o lo S or Cr
serves as a reminder that not all footballers Ar K i C P
ô te
it ed C
Un Involving club-to-club compensation
are millionaires and that not all international
* includes players from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales Not involving club-to-club compensation
transfers involve big money deals. In fact, a
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 27You can also read
