Tag: News

Romania played in the inaugural FIFA World Cup Their first match, a 3-1 win over Peru, took place on this day Here’s the story of King Carol II’s extraordinary influence on the team What’s the first thing a king does when he assumes the throne? Well, when the decade was the 1930s, the country was Romania, and the subject was… Read More

Dussuyer led Benin to their maiden quarter-finals appearance at the AFCON Les Ecureuils defended resolutely in overcoming Morocco in the last 16 French coach seeks to spring a surprise in World Cup qualifiers Historically, football has not had many goalkeepers who have become head coaches. Yet a few big names have nonetheless enjoyed successful coaching careers, including Italy’s Dino Zoff,… Read More

Romario scored the semi-final winner against Sweden on this day in 1994 The little striker was the smallest man on the pitch by a full three inches Brazil went on to win their first FIFA World Cup™ since 1970 That Romario was the man to put Brazil into their first FIFA World Cup Final in 24 years was no surprise… Read More

To mark the 90th anniversary of the first goal ever scored at the FIFA World Cup, FIFA.com recalls the career of the man who scored it: Lucien Laurent of France. Firsts are never forgotten. In scoring the first ever goal in FIFA World Cup™ history, in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo on 13 July 1930, France’s Lucien Laurent set his… Read More

The first FIFA World Cup kicked off in Uruguay 90 years ago today Then FIFA President Jules Rimet battled stiff opposition to the tournament The first Trophy was ultimately renamed in his honour It took over two weeks for the Conte Verde, the Italian steamboat in this image, to reach Montevideo in 1930. On board were the Romanian, French, Belgian… Read More

Germany landed in Salvador having already conquered 40 million Brazilians – they ingeniously modelled their change kit on that of the county’s best-supported club, Flamengo. They duly devastated 200 million-plus of them with an earth-shaking performance in Belo Horizonte. Then, six years ago today and with all but every Brazilian firmly back behind them, Jogi Low and boys outlasted Argentina… Read More

FC Makunishi one of 800+ clubs globally rewarded via FIFA Women’s World Cup Club Solidarity Fund Fund designed to recompense clubs who helped players to an elite career Nadeshiko star and FC Makunishi product Yuika Sugasawa played at France 2019 It was well past bedtime when the club faithful at FC Makunishi excitedly tuned in for Japan’s opening match against… Read More

Sixty-eight years – that’s what it took France to win a tournament they had been the architects of. Two headers – that’s the unlikely recipe a likely hero used to rock its record champions. The 93rd minute – that’s when a ponytailed prince belied position and numeracy to apply the coup de grâce. Those numbers are news to nobody. Some… Read More

“He’s bigger than the Pope. This World Cup will be all about Ronaldo just as ‘70 was about Pele and ‘86 was about Maradona. Only the almighty God can stop Brazil.” Those words were uttered by Nigeria’s Taribo West. They were grudgingly accepted by innumerable other rival players heading into the 1998 FIFA World Cup France™. Ronaldo may only have… Read More

Spain had never even sailed past the quarter-finals. Then tika-taka befuddled foes and thrust them to the Soccer City showpiece. Then Andres Iniesta stuck the adidas Jabulani home to make Spain the eighth FIFA World Cup™ winners. FIFA.com recalls the fascinating figures behind La Roja’s conquest. Read More