World XI

The World XI, also known as the FIFA World Stars, is an association football team consisting of players from various countries. The World XI play one-off games against clubs, national teams, collectives of continental teams, such as the Europe XI.[2][3]

World XI

First international
England 2–1 World XI London, England; 23 October 1963[1]

The team's first match was against England on the 100th anniversary of the Football Association – 23 October 1963. The World lost 2–1 in front of a crowd of 100,000.[1] Prior to this, matches had been played in 1947 against the United Kingdom in Scotland (to celebrate the four British national teams returning to FIFA, with the proceeds going to the world governing body)[4] and against England in 1953 (for the Football Association's 90th anniversary – in fact all the players were from continental Europe).

FIFA has organised several World XI squads to compete in various commemorative exhibitions and charity testimonials, including two officially against Brazil (1968 and 1996);[5] other opponents have included the national teams of France, Germany, USA, Australia, China and Italy, Spanish club Real Madrid, the Turkish League, an Asia XI in 1997 and an Africa XI in 1999.[5]

An unofficial World team also played against the likes of Romania, Cameroon, Chile, New York Cosmos, Hamburger SV, Benfica, Anderlecht, Flamengo, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, the English Football League XI in 1987,[6] an Africa XI in 2007, and has met Brazil four further times in 1973, 1989, 1990 and 1995.[5]

The Women's World Stars first played on 14 February 1999 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California, United States, for the draw of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, defeating the United States 2–1.[7][5]