Review 2004
May: 100 years for FIFA, and a first for Africa
From: FIFA
The calendar was full for FIFA in May, with two major events taking place.
First of all, a host country for the FIFA World Cup 2010™ had to be chosen and
, after the new ruling in 2003, the honour was certain to go to an African
nation. South Africa won the vote ahead of Morocco in the end, and there were
jubilant scenes in the streets of Johannesburg.
The second big occasion took place in Paris, where FIFA had been created a
hundred years previously; on 21 May 1904 in rue Saint-Honoré. Centennial
matches were played, a Congress held, Orders of Merit presented and a
commemorative plaque unveiled during the course of a fantastic week. There was
hardly a moment to catch one's breath as New Caledonia also become the 205th
member association, the re-launch of the FIFA Club World Championship was
confirmed and the World Anti-Doping Code approved.
Elsewhere, the football continued, except for Roberto Baggio, who called time
on his distinguished career. Japan, Iraq and Korea Republic secured their spots
at the Olympics from the Asian Zone, while the candidates from Europe entered
the last round of qualifiers. In the women's game, under-19 sides in South
America and Asia were engaged in crucial qualification matches for their world
championship.
Finally, one country that experienced mixed emotions in May was Cameroon. After
an initial appeal was rejected, the Indomitable Lions rejoiced at the lifting
of their six-point penalty in FIFA World Cup Germany 2006™ qualification after
an equipment infringement.
FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
The top 10 hardly changed, apart from the USA's reappearance in eighth place,
while Romania moved up five spots into 23rd after an impressive 5-1 victory
over Germany, and Nigeria climbed the same number of places into 16th. Lower
down the table, Nicaragua leapt 16 places to reach 161st, following a pair of
2-0 wins against Bermuda.
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™
The first phase of qualifiers got underway in Oceania between May 10 and 19,
with two groups of five teams in action. The top two in each group could look
forward to entering the final round with Australia and New Zealand, both exempt
as seeded teams. It was the Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Vanuatu and Fiji who
ultimately won through to the next stage.
Key dates:
- May 8: 50th anniversary of the AFC
- May 15: South Africa chosen to host FIFA World Cup 2010™
- May 17: Re-launch of the FIFA Club World Championship
- May 20: Centennial games played at the Stade de France
- May 21: Centenary of FIFA
- May 21: 54th FIFA Congress
- May 21: Lifting of Cameroon's six-point sanction
- May 21: New Caledonia becomes 205th member of FIFA
- May 21: FIFA approves the World Anti-Doping Code
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