FIFA Vision 2020-2023: One year on

In 2020, I published my “Vision 2020-2023”, which outlined the need to make football truly global. Twelve months into that plan, I am delighted to launch my account on LinkedIn as a place where I can share greater insight into the work we do at FIFA, charting the progress we have made, and identifying the challenges that remain ahead. 

The world had to take a step back in 2020 as we put health first, and we found ourselves with twin objectives to serve football: to push forward in building the new FIFA, and to be there for our sport in its hour of need.

FIFA exists to govern football and the structure behind that underwent vital change in 2020. The organisation is fast evolving into a body that can more effectively serve our game, truly popularising, developing and democratising football for the benefit of the entire world. 

The new FIFA is modernising our sport to be global, accessible and inclusive in all aspects. Not just on one or two continents, but everywhere.

Just as players don't celebrate victory at half time, we are not declaring job done. This new FIFA will continue to help develop football everywhere so that there are at least 50 national teams and 50 clubs from all continents that can truly compete at a top competitive level.

A lot will need to change in order to deliver this vision, but I want to present some specific targets for FIFA over the next 12 months. 

-        The FIFA Clearing House will begin operations, a crucial step in the reform of the transfer system to protect the integrity of the sport and a development that will see money remaining in football, for the benefit of football. 

-        In addition, the “third (and final) reform package” will tie up loose ends relating to the operating model of football transfers.

-        The administration will further digitise and streamline its business processes, with regular governance-based financial reporting. 

-        FIFA will also roll out a new operating model, with local entities set up to deliver tournaments in host countries, while transparent bidding processes, for the next top-tier FIFA competitions to be launched. 

-        Cooperation is key when it comes to the international match calendar. Together with stakeholders, we need to be open to rethink how a truly global football can be achieved, and tackle increasing competitive imbalances in the process. 

-        FIFA is investing big in women’s football, and we need to provide the robust competition structures to further support the professionalisation of the sport. Many innovative ideas are on the table.  

-        Finally, the safeguarding of children needs to be prioritised and I will continue to push for an independent international safe sports entity to be established in the year ahead. 

As we advance towards 2022, towards the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and then into 2023, with the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, we will deliver on these objectives. 

We are bringing a more accessible and inclusive football to the four corners of the world 

And fulfilling a vision to make football truly global.