FIFA 100: Pelé's selection of the world's top living footballers (2004)

Composition and characteristics

Pelé's choices reflect a mixture of eras, positions and nationalities. The final count comprised 123 male players and 2 female players, and the selection deliberately included both active professionals and retired stars: at the time, 50 of those named were still playing while 75 had already finished their careers. The title "FIFA 100" was intended to honour the association's centenary, not to limit the number of honourees to one hundred.

Origin and presentation

The list was compiled to coincide with the 100th anniversary celebrations of FIFA. It was unveiled at a formal ceremony held in London on 4 March 2004. Pelé selected living players whom he considered the most influential and talented, drawing attention to careers spanning club success, international achievement and distinctive individual skill.

Significance and reception

As a snapshot produced by one of football's most famous figures, the FIFA 100 has been widely cited and debated. Supporters value it as a celebratory roll call highlighting greats from different generations, while commentators and fans have used the list to prompt discussion about omissions, national representation and the balance between historical and contemporary stars. Its authority rests on Pelé's stature and the occasion of FIFA's centenary, but it remains a subjective selection.

Notable facts and context

• The name references FIFA's centenary rather than the literal count of players.
• Only living footballers were eligible for selection, which shaped the mix of active and retired figures.
• The inclusion of two women, among 125 names, drew attention to the gendered history of recognition in the sport.
• The announcement and accompanying event drew global media coverage and sparked debate in different footballing nations.

Today the FIFA 100 remains a frequently referenced list in conversations about football history. It functions both as a record of Pelé's personal judgements and as a cultural artefact of FIFA's centenary celebrations, useful for historians, fans and commentators comparing how the game's greats are remembered. Further context and the full set of names can be consulted through the published list of players and contemporary reports of the presentation ceremony in London.

For biographical background on the compiler see resources about the Brazilian legend Pelé, and for institutional context consult material on FIFA and its centenary activities. The FIFA 100 continues to provoke interest as both a celebratory list and a starting point for debates about greatness in football.