FIFA

Sharing insights and trends from the CAF African Cup of Nations 💡📈 This week, FIFA Lead of Football Performance Insights Tom Gardner presented at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Coaches Symposium in Abidjan, sharing tactical analysis and insights with head coaches from across the CAF region. FIFA supported Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) throughout AFCON 2023 with the provision of the same data and same level of analysis as during any FIFA competition, including the FIFA World Cups. The two-day event, organised by Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) in partnership with FIF Fédération Ivoirienne de Football, featured coaches from 42 African Member Associations as well as global experts from FIFA and UEFA. Gardner said: "The conference is a brilliant opportunity for us to share our analysis and insights with head coaches from across the region. It was great to be able discuss how the game looks slightly different in Africa compared to what we see at the FIFA World Cup, and really helped us to identify some of the latest emerging and developing trends in world football, so that we can share the knowledge and information that we have with technical experts around the world. "We look forward to continuing to work with CAF in this area and continuing to provide all of our members associations with more detailed information, more context on performance and ultimately driving ourselves towards global football development.”

FIFA 🤝 LAYS FIFA is proud to announce LAYS as an Official Sponsor of both FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States and the first-ever South American FIFA Women's World Cup™ in 2027! As Official Sponsor, Lay’s, alongside an iconic portfolio of food brands, including Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Ruffles, Cracker Jack, PopCorners, Quaker and Gamesa, will bring fans closer to the game than ever before with exclusive experiences, merchandise, consumer activations and more. The brand will break new ground at both tournaments by recognising and rewarding the “Fan of the Match” at every match, spotlighting those in the stands whose passion and energy bring the beautiful game to life and providing them with one-of-a-kind experiences. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “We’re delighted to extend this partnership with Lay’s and strengthen our collaboration as we head into a historic period for FIFA and the wider football community. After being involved in the last FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup, we’re proud that Lay’s has shared in our trust, vision and ideas for the development of the global game and has joined us on this journey into the future. Together, we will create special experiences for fans worldwide.” This marks a global extension of Frito-Lay’s successful role as a Regional Supporter during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and as a Tournament Supporter at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

Sharing insights with travel programme leaders in the USA! 💡   Earlier this summer, FIFA Head of Travel Barbara Schulte participated in a panel discussion at the Global Business Travel Conference in Atlanta.    During the session, named ‘The Architecture Debate: Who is building the best travel program model?’, Barbara explained the unique requirements behind organising travel for major FIFA tournaments and events — such as the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025, and FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States.    Barbara said: “Joining the GBTA conference and participating in The Architecture Debate panel provided an opportunity for me to outline the complexity of establishing an effective travel programme for football tournaments and events to others in the industry in North America. It was a valuable experience, and I am grateful for the chance to have represented FIFA in this capacity.”

FIFA Regional Director Europe Elkhan Mammadov met Norwegian Football Association (NFF) President Lise Klaveness and other leaders in football, sport and business to discuss the role of football in combatting racism within society. At a roundtable discussion initiated by the NFF, Mammadov presented FIFA’s zero tolerance stance to racism in football, and highlighted recent steps taken to reinforce its position. Unanimously approved at the 74th FIFA Congress in May 2024, the ‘No Racism’ crossed-arm gesture has been introduced at the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ in Colombia. “It was great to join the roundtable organised by NFF and its executives of stakeholders to discuss such important topics,” said Mammadov. “For FIFA it is important to know that local stakeholders also would like to activate the campaign of global stands against racism and it was a good opportunity to present the three-step procedure related to the No Racism gesture.”

Celebrating a new chapter in football esports with the FIFAe Next Gen event! 🎮   The first multi title esports event hosted by FIFAe took place earlier this month and showcased a new era by integrating different communities into one big celebration of football esports in Liverpool.   The FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager took centre stage at the event, with 20 players from around the world taking part in the inaugural event which was livestreamed on FIFAe’s digital channels alongside co-streamers. Football legends John Terry, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank and Sam Allardyce were in attendance, adding an extra layer of excitement to the occasion.   Christian Volk, Director of eFootball and Gaming at FIFA, said: “The FIFAe Next Gen event represents an important step forward in our ambition to develop the wider football esports landscape, bringing together passionate communities and showcasing titles like Football Manager and eFootball. With Liverpool's rich football heritage and cutting-edge facilities, it was the ideal choice to host the event, and the city has truly excelled in its role.”

POV: you step into our offices in Miami for the first time 🇺🇸 FIFA's Legal & Compliance Division completed their move from Zurich to Miami earlier this month — a switch in line with FIFA's vision of becoming truly global. The Legal & Compliance Division has made the trans-Atlantic switch to facilitate preparations for the FIFA World Cup 26™, which will be the most inclusive yet with an unprecedented 48 teams and three co-hosts, Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Welcoming a new cohort of coaches to the FIFA Talent Development Scheme! 🤝 The Talent Development Scheme seeks to create a sustainable legacy for long-term player development, maximising the opportunities provided in each participating member association with the aim of raising standards for national teams. 14 new tacticians joined colleagues for a workshop at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich to build personal and professional connections before being assigned to a member association. FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, said: “It is moving football forward in every single country. Let’s not forget that the core of our thinking is to give every talent in the whole world a chance. “I would like to thank everybody who has contributed to this project because they have worked very, very hard and things look very positive. The Talent Development Scheme has been rolled out in 176 member associations to date. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dVRQ77CF

A new era for club football! 🏆 FIFA has unveiled the emblem for the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™, the most inclusive competition in the history of club football. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, to be played from 15 June to 13 July 2025, will include representatives from each of the six continental confederations — redefining how, when and where true club world champions are crowned. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: "What a special moment. Today, we launched the brand of the new FIFA Club World Cup — the start of a new era in club football." "Thirty-two of the best clubs from all corners of the world will be competing in the United States in June and July 2025. They are at the heart of the tournament and we cannot wait."

📈 Number of international transfers in men’s and women’s football reaches historic high 🤝 More than USD 6.4 billion spent on international transfer fees ⚽️ Spending on women’s international transfers more than doubled compared to 2023   FIFA has released its International Transfer Snapshot, an analysis of the international player transfer activity during the 2024 mid-year transfer window, which reveals a number of record-breaking figures in both men’s and women’s football. For the first time, the report has been published on a new dynamic and engaging platform, which provides in-depth analysis of the most recent transfer window in international football. FIFA Chief Legal & Compliance Officer Emilio Garcia Silvero said: “We are delighted to present this dynamic report, which has been produced by our team in Miami and provides a unique understanding of the key dynamics of the mid-year transfer window.”

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™ is here! 🙌 Over the next 22 days, 24 teams across six groups will be in action across the host cities of Bogotá, Cali and Medellín. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams. This year’s tournament will be the first time that 24 teams take part – an increase from 16 in previous editions. Four teams will be making their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup debut as Austria, Cameroon, Fiji and Morocco prepare to take to the stage for the first time. Full match schedule: