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FIFA publishes Global Transfer Report 2022 with all-time record-setting numbers

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FIFA Thursday published the 2022 edition of the Global Transfer Report, according to which an all-time record of 71,002 transfers across borders were made in 2022, with 21,764 involving professionals (men and women) plus 49,238 amateurs.

There were 20,209 international transfers in men’s professional football in 2022, representing an increase of 11.6% compared to 2021 and even exceeding the levels of 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. These transfers – 2,843 of which included transfer fees – involved a new record high of 4,770 clubs from 182 different associations, compared to 4,538 clubs in 2021. A total of 17,291 players representing 183 different nationalities were on the move in 2022.

Emilio Garcia Silvero, FIFA Chief Legal and Compliance officer commented as follows: “The two-year negative trend in clubs’ spending on transfer fees was turned around in 2022, with last year’s total outlay reaching USD 6.5 billion, an increase of 33.5% compared to 2021, yet still below the all-time high of 2019.”

The top ten player transfers alone generated 12.5% of the entire amount that was spent on transfer fees in 2022. Similarly, of the 2,843 transfers that included fees, the top 100 were responsible for almost 50% of all money spent on transfer fees, with English clubs once again topping the list. For the first time, their total outlay exceeded the USD 2 billion mark and reached a record high of almost USD 2.2 billion.

With total receipts of USD 740.3 million, clubs from France received the biggest share of all associations. For the first time ever, Portuguese clubs completed more incoming transfers than clubs from any other association, with a total of 901 incoming transfers in 2022. Brazil, on the other hand, released the highest number of players, with a total of 998 outgoing transfers.

Impressive growth of women’s football continues
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand now just around the corner, the impressive growth in women’s professional football continued once again in 2022. The number of international transfers has more than doubled since 2018 and the introduction of the requirement to use TMS. In 2022, the number of clubs involved in international transfers went up from 410 in 2021 to 500 last year, a 22.0% increase.

On these figures, Emilio Garcia Silvero, FIFA Chief Legal and Compliance officer said: “All of this reflects the impressive strides being taken as more and more female players continue to turn professional. Some 1,555 international transfers were recorded in 2022, an increase of 19.3% compared to the previous year, while a new high of 119 associations were involved in international transfers.”

International transfers of amateurs
In 2022, there were more than twice as many amateur transfers as professional transfers, with a total of 49,238 amateur players moving across borders and joining a club in a new association. Some 92.3% of these players were male. The global reach of amateur football is truly impressive, with 204 of FIFA’s 211 member associations involved in at least one transfer last year.

The ongoing war in Ukraine also had a clear impact on the numbers in amateur football last year as Ukrainian nationals were by far the most represented group of all amateur players who transferred in 2022, with a total of 5,910 transfers, more than 60% higher than the 3,661 transfers completed by French players, the second largest group.

The Global Transfer Report 2022 also includes analysis on other relevant matters related to the player’s transfer market. The FIFA Global Transfer Report 2022 is available here (https://bit.ly/3JhmfPp) and on fifa.com/legal

FIFA launches education initiative designed to develop digital skills of member associations

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FIFA has launched FIFA Digital Skills, an educational programme designed to develop the expertise of professionals in the global football community on all things digital, through a dedicated e-learning platform and a series of live masterclasses.

As administrative and business activities continue to develop due to emerging technologies, the programme will be a crucial tool for member associations seeking to hone their skills in many areas.

Representatives from FIFA’s 211 member associations now have access to masterclasses from some of the world’s biggest and most innovative brands. Through the platform’s peer-to-peer learning function, users can also host tailored sessions focused on their own experiences.

From best practice case studies from football stakeholders to analyses of the latest technological trends from the brands driving the digital revolution, FIFA Digital Skills aims to leverage the power of the digital world to maximise the strategic and operational effectiveness of those running the game globally.

“As the world changes around us, we need to invest in people so that they are better placed to embrace the future,” said FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Kenny Jean-Marie. “We are proud to launch a platform that will be a one-stop resource for member associations, allowing them to access valuable information and encourage learning as part of the football community in the area of digital. I am proud that we are providing this platform, and that the member associations will be contributing to the process by sharing their success stories to benefit us all.”

FIFA’s Director of Strategy, Digital and FIFA+, Charlotte Burr, added: “The FIFA Digital Skills initiative is powered by FIFA +, our world-class digital destination for football fandom. We already have nearly 100 MAs on board and more than 400 participants learning and sharing their experiences, and we want to continue to use FIFA+ as a platform to give the entire world of football a voice, telling their stories and bringing their beautiful game to light. The FIFA Digital Skills initiative will provide best practices from experts and organisations for the 211 MAs to develop their digital capabilities to appeal to future fans and, ultimately, grow football for all.”

In support of FIFA’s commitment to strengthening football professionals’ competencies worldwide and exploring new technologies that can positively impact the game and the wider industry, the initiative complements the wide-ranging educational products and services available to FIFA’s member associations. FIFA Digital Skills’ unique offering aims to provide a 360-degree view of digital’s role in enhancing football across all levels of the game – from grassroots to the elite.

Having launched at the end of 2022, participants from across the globe have had the opportunity to engage with the programme and take their digital skills to the next level.

“I really appreciated the FIFA Digital Skills initiative because it’s a whole package of how to successfully create a great digital marketing plan and strategy for our association,” commented Fatouma-Degan Mohamed Idriss, Djiboutian Football Association. “We had a wonderful time and learnt very valuable lessons,” added Ahmad Abuzaid, Jordan Football Association. “Great experience, the case studies allowed us to see in a practical way the points to improve in our digital strategy and the templates allowed us to review the entire marketing strategy of the federation for more efficiency,” said Franchelle Bijou Boutamba Mouyabi, Gabonese Football Federation. Learn more about FIFA Digital Skills.

Official match ball for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 unveiled by adidas

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Today, OCEAUNZ, the Official Match Ball of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 was launched in spectacular fashion in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia, travelling over the iconic Sydney skyline by helicopter before arriving at Marks Park overlooking Bondi Beach.

The ninth successive football produced by adidas for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, OCEAUNZ’s design is inspired by the unique natural landscapes of the two host nations, with visuals nodding to the vast mountains of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia’s connection with the Indian Ocean.

The ball is a celebration of the cultures of both host countries and features designs by Aboriginal artist, Chern’ee Sutton, and Māori artist, Fiona Collis. Their art is also part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 brand identity, Beyond Greatness™.

Speaking about the launch of OCEAUNZ, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “adidas has created an iconic Official Match Ball for the FIFA Women’s World Cup that reflects diversity, inclusivity and togetherness, fitting themes for the first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by two different countries from different confederations. This edition of the tournament will be extremely special and the rich cultures of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, as evoked on OCEAUNZ, are certain to take the experience of visiting fans and teams #BeyondGreatness.”

The Official Match Ball’s name reflects the coming together of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand as host nations of the tournament.

OCEAUNZ features the same connected ball technology as was seen in Qatar at the FIFA World Cup 2022. This provides precise ball data, which will be made available to Video Match Officials in real-time.

Combined with player position data and by applying artificial intelligence, the innovative connected ball technology contributes to FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology and offers Video Assistant Referees instantaneous information to help optimise decision-making.

OCEAUNZ features:

CTR-CORE – a ground-breaking core within the ball that is designed to improve accuracy and consistency, supporting fast, precise play with maximum shape and air retention

SPEEDSHELL – The ball’s polyurethane (PU) skin features micro and macro textures and a new 20-piece panel shape, enhancing aerodynamics

CONNECTED BALL TECHNOLOGY – A Suspension System in the centre of the ball hosts and stabilises a 500Hz inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion sensor, providing unprecedented insight into every element of the movement of the ball. The sensor is powered by a rechargeable battery, which can be charged by induction.

OCEAUNZ will be available to purchase in adidas stores, at selected retailers and online at www.adidas.com/football.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will kick-off in 177 days with New Zealand taking on Norway in the opening match on July 20, before Australia play the Republic of Ireland later that day. The Final will be held in Sydney / Gadigal on August 20.

FIFA publishes report on the achievements of the transfer system reform

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FIFA Thursday published a comprehensive document that details the reforms conducted within football’s transfer system during the 2017-2022 period.

Modernising football’s regulatory framework and increasing transparency, integrity and fairness within the transfer system has been one of FIFA’s key pillars since the launch of FIFA 2.0 in late 2016, and it is also the first objective of the FIFA Vision 2020-2023.

The process, which was initiated in 2017 under the direction of the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee, represented the first wholesale review of football’s transfer system since its implementation in 2001, and thanks to the support and cooperation of the various stakeholders (FIFA member associations, confederations, ECA, FIFPRO and World Leagues Forum), it has led to many important reforms and achievements with impactful and positive outcomes for the football community.

These include, among others, the introduction of the following:

Further protections for players who are mistreated by their clubs, including the codification of further just causes for players to unilaterally terminate their contracts, as well as the implementation of compulsory consequences for parties that fail to comply with a decision of a FIFA body to pay a sum of money

Protections and guarantees for female players who are pregnant or give birth while under contract

The FIFA Clearing House to process payments, promote financial transparency and raise governance standards

A regulatory framework for coaches, providing the same minimum protections as those in place for players

A new regulatory framework for football agents, providing fundamental ethical and professional standards, as well as protection for clients and football agents alike

Further protections for minor players, including the first-ever regulatory framework for trials with rules concerning medical care, minimum age and an effective way to seek legal protection, while also implementing a more stringent regulation in relation to private academies to increase oversight of minors, and the modernisation and more flexible application of the humanitarian exception to reflect real-life cases

A new, streamlined decision-making body, the FIFA Football Tribunal, which dealt with more than 14,000 disputes and regulatory applications in its first year of operations

A new regulatory framework for loans to protect youth development, promote competitive balance and prevent the hoarding of players

The FIFA Fund for Football Players to compensate players whose clubs are declared insolvent, liquidated, subject to bankruptcy proceedings, or have been disaffiliated from organised football. A total of USD 16m had been allocated by FIFA by the end of 2022.

As part of FIFA’s commitment to constantly adapt the regulatory framework to the current reality of football and the transfer system, a number of other technical initiatives have been implemented, including, among others, the launch of the FIFA Legal Portal – an online platform through which proceedings before FIFA bodies will be conducted and which will gradually replace the email communication system – and the publication of an updated Commentary on the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players to support the various stakeholders and ensure that the regulations are applied consistently across the global football community.

The 2017-2022 reform process was also impacted by unprecedented worldwide circumstances and challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which required the development of a swift and efficient regulatory response and led to temporary adjustments to the FIFA regulations.

The reform of the transfer system has also been commended and supported by the Council of Europe and the European Parliament.

Victor Montagliani, FIFA vice-president and chairman of the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee, commented: “FIFA remains focused on accomplishing the final steps of this process, as planned with the various stakeholders, and continues to be mindful of changes within the football ecosystem in order to be ready to adapt and modernise its rules accordingly, all with the ultimate goal of creating an even better and truly global game”.

Match officials for FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 appointed

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The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the match officials who will be in charge at the forthcoming FIFA (www.FIFA.com) Club World Cup Morocco 2022.

A total of 26 match officials, including six referees, 12 assistant referees and eight video match officials, have been chosen in close cooperation with the confederations.

All selected match officials will attend the preparatory seminar starting in Rabat on 27 January.

The FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 will be played from 1 to 11 February 2023.

For more information on the competition and to see the full match schedule (https://fifa.fans/3wdjZ3D).

Match officials for the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022™ (https://fifa.fans/3kf5xWh)

FIFA President attends African Nations Championship opener

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present as the seventh edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) got under way with a spectacular opening ceremony and a victory for the hosts at the brand-new Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, Algeria.

It is a great privilege to be present here tonight for this historic moment in Algerian, and African, football history

Earlier in the week President Infantino had been present at the official inauguration ceremony (http://bit.ly/3w4zSJI) of the 40,000-seater stadium, which located on the south side of the Algerian capital. For the opening game the FIFA President joined dignitaries including Prime Minister of Algeria H.E. Aimene Benabderrahmane, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President and FIFA Vice-President Patrice Motsepe, President of the Algerian Football Association (FAF) Djahid Zefizef and Mandla Mandela, grandson of the first President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, whom the stadium is named after.

“It is a great privilege to be present here tonight for this historic moment in Algerian, and African, football history,” President Infantino said. “We have seen at the recent FIFA World Cup in Qatar how the levels of teams from this beautiful continent continue to progress at great speed. Tournaments and facilities such as this magnificent new stadium are another positive step on that journey. I congratulate our hosts Algeria for organising this African Nations Championship and look forward to the three weeks of wonderful football ahead.”

Following an opening ceremony that featured a series of cultural and musical displays showcasing the history and traditions of Algeria – the host nation delighted the full-to-capacity crowd with a 1-0 victory against Libya.

The competition – which is exclusively for domestic-based players – takes place across four Algerian cities including the capital Algiers, together with Annaba, Constantine and Oran, and will conclude at the same venue in which it started on Saturday, 4 February 2023.

Draw determines seven sides’ paths to FIFA Club World Cup glory

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The draw for the FIFA Club World Cup 2022 delivered an exciting series of fixtures for the seven clubs who will compete for the title of club world champions in Morocco from 1 to 11 February 2023.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present for the draw and addressed delegates before proceedings got under way. He thanked Morocco – hosts of the tournament for a third time – and stoked excitement as the countdown continues to discover which side will lift the trophy.

“Congratulations and thank you to Morocco for hosting the champions of all the continents for what will be a very important edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in February,” the FIFA President said.

Matches will be played in the cities of Rabat and Tangier, with Tangier hosting the opening game on Wednesday, 1 February, and Rabat, the final on Saturday, 11 February 2023

“When the champions of all the continents meet to crown the champion of the planet, the champion of the world, this is a special occasion, and this will take place in a very special country, in a great football environment,” Mr Infantino added. “We’re looking very much forward to [coming] to Rabat and to Tangier, to visit an entire country, and to cheer for the champions of all the continents and see who finally will be crowned champion of the world.”

It was determined that the opening game would be between CAF Champions League runners-up (2021/22) Al Ahly and Auckland City, holders of the OFC Champions League; the winners of which will take on Seattle Sounders on 4 February.

The host association representatives, CAF Champions League winners Wydad, will meet Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022, while four-time winners Real Madrid have a semi-final against Seattle Sounders, Al Ahly or Auckland City to navigate. On the other side of the draw, Flamengo’s last-four opponents will be Wydad or Al Hilal.

Also speaking at the draw, Fouzi Lekjaa, the Moroccan Football Association President, said: “This is also an opportunity to express the desire of our people and of our Kingdom to be among those willing to host football’s greatest events. We’ve always had this desire, and we will continue to express it with even more determination, enthusiasm, work and development. Long live football, long live FIFA, long live the Kingdom of Morocco.”

Matches will be played in the cities of Rabat and Tangier, with Tangier hosting the opening game on Wednesday, 1 February, and Rabat, the final on Saturday, 11 February 2023.

Nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 revealed

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FIFA has revealed the candidates shortlisted for The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2022.

The nominees are listed below in alphabetical order:

The Best FIFA Women’s Player:

Aitana Bonmatí (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Debinha (Brazil / North Carolina Courage)
Jessie Fleming (Canada / Chelsea FC Women)
Ada Hegerberg (Norway / Olympique Lyonnais)
Sam Kerr (Australia / Chelsea FC Women)
Beth Mead (England / Arsenal WFC)
Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands / Arsenal WFC)
Alex Morgan (USA / Orlando Pride / San Diego Wave)
Lena Oberdorf (Germany / VfL Wolfsburg)
Alexandra Popp (Germany / VfL Wolfsburg)
Alexia Putellas (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Wendie Renard (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
Keira Walsh (England / Manchester City WFC / FC Barcelona)
Leah Williamson (England / Arsenal WFC)

The Best FIFA Men’s Player:

Julián Álvarez (Argentina / Club Atlético River Plate / Manchester City FC)
Jude Bellingham (England / BV Borussia 09 Dortmund)
Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid CF)
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City FC)
Erling Haaland (Norway / BV Borussia 09 Dortmund / Manchester City FC)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain FC)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland / FC Bayern München / FC Barcelona)
Sadio Mané (Senegal / Liverpool FC / FC Bayern München)
Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain FC )
Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain FC)
Luka Modrić (Croatia / Real Madrid CF)
Neymar (Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain FC)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool FC)
Vinícius Junior (Brazil / Real Madrid CF)

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach:

Sonia Bompastor (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
Emma Hayes (England / Chelsea FC Women)
Bev Priestman (England / Canadian National Team)
Pia Sundhage (Sweden / Brazilian National Team)
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (Germany / German National Team)
Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / English National Team)

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach:

Carlo Ancelotti (Italy / Real Madrid CF)
Didier Deschamps (France / French National Team)
Pep Guardiola (Spain / Manchester City FC)
Walid Regragui (Morocco / Wydad AC / Moroccan National Team)
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina / Argentinian National Team)

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper:

Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany / Chelsea FC Women)
Mary Earps (England / Manchester United WFC)
Christiane Endler (Chile / Olympique Lyonnais)
Merle Frohms (Germany / Eintracht Frankfurt / VfL Wolfsburg)
Alyssa Naeher (USA / Chicago Red Stars)
Sandra Paños García-Villamil (Spain / FC Barcelona)

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper:

Álisson Becker (Brazil / Liverpool FC)
Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Sevilla FC)
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid CF)
Ederson (Brazil / Manchester City FC)
Emiliano Martínez (Argentina / Aston Villa FC)

The FIFA Puskás Award:

Mario Balotelli (https://bit.ly/3GBu1kb) (Italy): Adana Demirspor v. Göztepe Spor Kulübü [Süper Lig] (22 May 2022)
Amandine Henry (https://bit.ly/3ZwVXht) (France): FC Barcelona v. Olympique Lyonnais [UEFA Women’s Champions League] (21 May 2022)
Théo Hernández (https://bit.ly/3IJ1go9) (France): AC Milan v. Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, [Serie A] (15 May 2022)
Alou Kuol (https://bit.ly/3vZEiS6) (Australia): Iraq U23 v. Australia U23 [AFC U23 Asian Cup] (4 June 2022)
Kylian Mbappé (https://bit.ly/3XrJh9Q) (France): Argentina v. France [FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™] (18 December 2022)
Francisco González Metilli (https://bit.ly/3XrotQ4) (Argentina): Club Atlético Central Córdoba v. Club Atlético Rosario Central [Primera División] (1 August 2022)
Marcin Oleksy (https://bit.ly/3ZzL26L) (Poland): Warta Poznań v. Stal Rzeszów [PZU Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa] (6 November 2022)
Salma Paralluelo (https://bit.ly/3GyBgcp) (Spain): FC Barcelona v. Villarreal CF [Liga F] (2 April 2022)
Dimitri Payet (https://bit.ly/3iwJ9qS) (France): Olympique de Marseille v. PAOK Thessaloniki FC [UEFA Europa Conference League] (7 April 2022)
Richarlison (https://bit.ly/3iyPYIt) (Brazil): Brazil v. Serbia [FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022] (24 November 2022)
Alessia Russo (https://bit.ly/3GVC6QX) (England): England v. Sweden [UEFA Women’s EURO 2022] (26 July 2022)

The Best FIFA Fan Award:

Abdullah Al Salmi (Saudi Arabia): Abdullah journeyed by foot from his hometown of Jeddah to Qatar, hiking across the Saudi Arabian desert, to support his national team at the FIFA World Cup.
Argentinian National Team fans (Argentina): Argentina fans travelled to Qatar in impressive numbers to provide incredible support for their team’s ultimately victorious FIFA World Cup campaign, and millions of fans then welcomed their heroes home to Buenos Aires and across the country.
Japanese National Team fans (Japan): Japan fans earned worldwide recognition for their tradition of staying behind to help clean the stadium after World Cup games.

Two expert panels – one for women’s football (https://bit.ly/3GEtZYL) and one for men’s football (https://bit.ly/3GzUKNN) – selected the candidates for the players’, goalkeepers’ and coaches’ categories.

Voting open now!

Public voting is open on FIFA+ (https://bit.ly/3IHhBty) and will run until 23:59 CET on 3 February 2023.

FIFA will announce the three finalists in each of the seven categories listed above in early February 2023.

The full voting and award process is detailed in the Rules of Allocation (https://bit.ly/3QBo8aZ).

To keep up with the latest news about The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022, check out FIFA+ (https://bit.ly/3IHhBty) and FIFA’s accounts on Facebook (https://bit.ly/3vW2l4D), YouTube (https://bit.ly/3IJ3d3T) and Twitter (https://bit.ly/3XkIdEK).

You can join the discussion about who should win the awards by using the hashtag #TheBest (https://bit.ly/3XrpnvW).

FIFA president visits Algeria as Nelson Mandela Stadium is inaugurated

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino Thursday completed a day of engagements in Algeria, which included the inauguration ceremony to officially open the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers – and a meeting with the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

“There are important developments taking place across Algerian football, not least the opening of the Nelson Mandela Stadium, which is a fitting honour in memory of a great leader, and also a wonderful venue to host matches in the upcoming African Nations Championship,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

President Infantino later met with President Tebboune at the stadium, and held fruitful discussions on a range of matters.

The inauguration ceremony of the 40,000-seater stadium took place a day in advance of the opening game of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), as the Nelson Mandela Stadium will also host the opening match as Algeria face Libya on 13 January, and it will also provide the venue for the final on 4 February.

As well as attending the ceremony, President Infantino also met with Patrice Motsepe, CAF President and a FIFA Vice-President, and Djahid Zefizef, the President of the Algerian Football Association (FAF) to discuss a wide range of football development matters across the African continent, and the ongoing drive to strengthen football infrastructure throughout Algeria.

FIFA President Infantino devastated by Mbami’s death

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed his regrets after former Cameroon international Modeste Mbami passed away on Saturday following a cardiac arrest at the age of 40 in Paris France.

On a post on Instagram few hours after Mbami’s death was confirmed, FIFA’s supremo shared a picture of the once versatile midfielder with the caption “Such Sad News, RIP Modeste Mbami”.

An astute and powerful player in his prime, Mbami Modeste spent most part of his career plying his trade in France for Sedan, PSG where he won two French Cups and Marseille before stints in Spain with Almeria, China, Saudi Arabia, and Columbia.

The 1.80m will be remembered for his spectacular quarterfinal goal against Brazil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in Australia with Cameroon going on to clinch the gold medal at the event.

Mbami who died today aged 40 was also part of the Cameroon team that played the final of the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in France.

A tournament that was overshadowed by the death Cameroon’s midfield maestro Marc Vivien Foe due to cardiac issues during the semi-final clash with Columbia in Lyon.

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