Gianni Infantino has been re-elected unopposed to lead Fifa, global football’s governing body, for a second term.
The 73rd Fifa Congress reelected Infantino as President in the Rwandan capital Kigali where delegates from the 208 gathered member associations gathered.
Infantino will serve as Fifa President for the next four years.
“I am truly humbled and touched by your support,” Infantino told the Fifa Congress.
“I promise you that I will continue serving Fifa, serving football all over the world, and serving all 211 Fifa member associations,” he added.
In his speech, Infantino made pledges to ensure sustainable growth of the global game and revealed a prize money increase for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The increase saw the prize money triple from the 2019 tournament to over $150 million.
The president also announced the launch of the revised 32-team Club World Cup with the intention of giving teams from every confederation more opportunities to compete on the global stage.
For the first time in its history, an elective FIFA Congress took place in Africa as Rwanda hosts the 2023 FIFA edition.
President of Rwanda Paul Kagame congratulated Infantino on his re-election, stating that he first got to know him while campaigning to be elected in 2016.
“He was the leader Fifa needed at that moment, and everything I have seen from that time until now shows me that he deserves to continue to lead this organization.”
Kagame, who received the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022, welcomed the expanded 48-team World Cup which would increase the slots for Africa from five to nine or ten from 2026.
“I welcome the expansion of the number of teams participating in the next World Cup,” Kagame said, adding that it will create “even more engagement and visibility on our continent.”
Featured Image: Featured Image: President of FIFA Gianni Infantino with Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda. Kigali hosting 211 FIFA Football Associations members and partners, for the 73rd FIFA congress, the first-ever electoral congress to happen in Africa.(Photo Fifa)
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