FIFA

FIFA supports the protection of young African players. FIFA hosted a working meeting of the NGO "Culture Foot Solidaire", dedicated to the protection of young African football players, at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on Friday 6 June. Representatives of FIFA, CAF, FIFPro, EPFL, FFF, French professional clubs and CIES took part in this meeting, which was opened by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

"I would like to give the full support of FIFA to the activities that you are carrying out to defend the rights of young African players, who are naturally attracted by the exciting prospects that they see in football but unfortunately sometimes betrayed by those who present themselves as their benefactors," said the FIFA President.

"I want to thank FIFA and its President for hosting this meeting, which is an important step towards adopting concrete measures to solve this complex and difficult problem. We are certain that we will be able to provide good solutions for young African players," explained Jean Claude Mbvoumin, a former Cameroon international player and president of "Culture Foot Solidaire".

The participants explored the ways in which regulations, awareness campaigns and initiatives such as FIFA's Win in Africa with Africa initiative - which among other things aims to strengthen Africa's national leagues - can be used to further the objectives of "Culture Foot Solidaire". They also looked forward to the second international conference on young African players, which is scheduled to take place in Cameroon in October of this year.

First 'FIFA World Champions Badge' was presented to Italy. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter today presented the very first 'FIFA World Champions Badge' to reigning world champions Italy in Coverciano, Italy.
The Squadra Azzurra are the first national team to receive this badge, which from now on will be awarded after every FIFA World Cup finals competition. The reigning world champions will be able to wear the badge until the next FIFA World Cup."Italy have the honour of being the first team in the history of the World Cup to wear FIFA's new badge.There are two different versions of the badge - white on a golden background and gold on a white background. The FIFA World Cup Trophy, which was the brainchild of Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga in 1974, is embroidered on the badge.There is already a similar badge for the winners of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Italy have moved up one place to second from the Third Position in this month's official FIFA ranking, while Spain remain First of the list. Germany drop to third from the Second Position, while the South American contingent continue to struggle in sixth and seventh...

There have not been too many changes in the top 10, as Euro 2008 champions Spain remain at the top of the tree. Italy and Germany have swapped places, with the Azzurri moving up to second despite their disappointing 2-2 friendly draw against Austria last month.

Places four to nine are as they were in August, with Holland and Croatia completing the top five, and South American giants Brazil and Argentina still struggling in sixth and seventh respectively.

Turkey are the biggest movers, as they go up three places to break into the top 10. England's international misery continues, as they drop another position, and are now down in 15th.

Current Top 20 Teams according to FIFA Ranking

01 Spain
02 Italy
03 Germany
04 Netherlands
05 Croatia
06 Brazil
07 Argentina
08 Czech Republic
09 Portugal
10 Turkey
11 France
12 Russia
13 Romania
14 Cameroon
15 England
16 Scotland
17 Bulgaria
18 Greece
19 Israel
20 Ghana

Tickets will go on sale in February 2009 via FIFA's website.

The World Cup FIFA 2010 will be held on South Africa. It is proclaimed that two million tickets are to be sold for this world cup, said by the FIFA organizing Committee in Johannesburg. At Safa house, chief officers of the organizing committee gave a taster of some of the logistics involved in preparing for the world cup tournament.
Fifty-five thousand rooms were needed for accommodations, R13.6 billion had been invested into transport programmes, a 30,000 square meter international broadcasting center was being built and about ten fan parks would be set up. Recently promoted head of legal affairs, Leslie Sedide said two million tickets would be made available to the general public for the World Cup, while 120,000 more tickets were set aside to be given away for free to "nation builders". Tickets will go on sale in February 2009 via FIFA's website. There will also be paper ticket applications available at various outlets in South Africa, and internationally on request.
Transports and logistics chief officer Skhumbuzi Macozoma said 14,000 new luxury and semi-luxury coaches would be brought in, to be used during the tournament, and 10,000 taxis would be contracted to event routes. Host cities would be adding extra commuter buses and extending their operating hours. He also said over 33,000 of the 55,000 rooms required for FIFA staff and international spectators had already been sourced. CEO of the organizing committee Danny Jordan said that now that the Beijing Olympics was finished, the focus was on the 2010 World Cup and updates on progress for preparations would now be provided as regularly as possible. Jordan told reporters the organizing committee would need to engage with government where preparation costs had gone over budget.
He said these budget overspends were related to factors in the global economy beyond FIFA's control, such has the rising price of diesel.

FIFA is the International governing body of Association Football. The headquarters of FIFA is in Switzerland. FIFA organizes and governs all major Football International Tournaments since 1930. Of the Tournaments most important one is FIFA World Cup. FIFA is a 208 member Association.
The Game Laws are officially governed and are responsible of FIFA. The game law is maintained by International Football Association Board.
FIFA is an Association established under the laws of Switzerland. FIFA Congress is the supreme body and are of representatives from each affiliated national Federation.