Football Must Never Lose Its Soul

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  Susan Niederhöfer
  Chefredakteurin

The World Cup is becoming bigger, more global, and logistically more challenging than ever before. What sporting opportunities does this new format offer, and where is the risk that quality and drama might suffer as a result?

Personally, I see this primarily as a great opportunity for more nations to showcase themselves on the biggest stage. This promotes the development of footbal worldwide and gives rise to new stories, new emotions, and perhaps even some surprise success stories. I agree 100% with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Of course, the challenge lies in maintaining high levels of sporting quality and excitement. However, I am convinced that good organization and clear structures can ensure that the drama becomes even more diverse and interesting.

In recent years, the Swiss national team has established itself as a consistent performer in tournaments. In your opinion, what is still missing for Switzerland to not just put in a respectable performance, but to actually advance deep into the tournament?

Switzerland has shown impressive consistency in recent years, and that provides a strong foundation. In my view, the next step is to have the courage to take control of games at the decisive moments. It’s about conviction and the belief that we can hold our own against any nation. When that mental strength combines with the talent we have, a lot is possible. I am confident that Switzerland can go far.

You were a goalkeeper at the highest level yourself. How has the role of the goalkeeper changed in modern footbal, and what qualities in young goalkeepers might still be underestimated today?

The role of the goalkeeper has evolved tremendously. Today, he is much more involved in the game and essentially takes on the role of the first playmaker. Technical skills with the feet are more important than ever. At the same time, the importance of personality, composure, and decision-making is sometimes underestimated. A goalkeeper must not only react but also be able to read the game. In addition, he must project a sense of confidence to his team. That remains timeless.

FIFA, national associations, and clubs talk a lot about load management. Has international footbal reached a point where the match schedule needs to be reevaluated from both a sporting and economic perspective? lender sportlich und wirtschaftlich neu durchdacht werden muss?

If you take a closer look at the calendar, the impression that there are constantly more and more games sometimes puts things into perspective. The international match calendar was coordinated in collaboration with associations, leagues, and, in some cases, player representatives. Additional competitions, such as an expanded Club World Cup or larger World Cups, provide important momentum for footbal worldwide, both in terms of sports and economics.

To be fair, however, it must also be said that FIFA matches account for only a portion of the overall workload. A large part stems from the national leagues and club competitions. Furthermore, the heaviest workload primarily affects a small group of top players, while many clubs today have sufficiently deep squads to rotate players effectively. At the same time, of course, the health of the players always comes first. That is why it is right to continuously review the match schedule and work together to find solutions that make sense for players, clubs, and the sport of footbal as a whole.

Today, football has become more global, data-driven and commercial. In order to maintain its emotional power, what aspects must the sport preserve despite technology, media rights and investor interests?

Footbal thrives on emotion, passion, and simplicity. These elements must never be lost. Data and technology are valuable tools that support the sport, but they should not dominate it. What matters most is that fans can identify with their teams and that real stories unfold on the field. If we preserve this, footbal will continue to inspire people around the world in the future. This is very important to FIFA and to me. These are the values we stand for.

Thank you very much for your time and the interesting conversation, Mr. Züberbühler!

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Pascal Zuberbühler
Senior Football Expert FIFA and Ambassador FIFA World Football Museum

Pascal Zuberbühler is a former professional football player, the Swiss national team’s all-time leading goalkeeper, and an international expert in elite football. Among the highlights of his career are numerous international appearances and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, during which he kept a clean sheet.

With his positive charisma, personal anecdotes, and fascinating insights into motivation, team dynamics, and the world of elite sports, he captivates his audience at events, talks, and sports broadcasts. As an experienced host, he combines entertainment with exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, and current topics from the world of sports.

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