International matches in 2008: 1,060 men’s matches and 364 women’s matches

Once again, a new record was set for “A” international matches in 2008, with 1,060 meetings in the men’s game and 364 in the women’s. Indeed, the men’s total fell just short of the record of 1,065 matches set in 2004.

These impressive figures were boosted both by the start of the qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ around the world (425 matches) and also the many friendly matches played by the men’s (533) and women’s teams (192).

The worldwide spread of the fixtures was encouraging: of the 208 FIFA member associations, 196 teams played at least one “A” international in men’s football last year, more than ever before, while in the women’s game, 94 teams played at least one match. Interestingly, the USA women’s team played the most matches last year (36), followed by China PR (29) and Canada (24).

In the men’s game, Trinidad & Tobago were the busiest team (28 matches), followed by Qatar (24) and Oman (23). The average number of matches per team outstripped the previous-year total, with 10.8 in men’s football and 7.7 in women’s.

It was a superlative year both for top teams and outsiders last year. European champions Spain won all of their 16 matches (including one on penalties) and can now boast an impressive unbeaten record stretching back over 28 matches.

The Korea DPR men’s team did not a concede a single goal during eight consecutive matches (720 minutes), whilst the USA women’s team won 34 matches (including one on penalties), including a run of 22 consecutive victories.

The two most valuable matches in terms of the FIFA World Rankings took place at EURO 2008 and the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

The Netherlands’ 3-0 victory over reigning world champions Italy in the group stages of EURO 2008 and Norway’s 2-0 triumph over the USA at the Olympic Games in Beijing led to the highest points gains.