FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has told FIFA’s 54 Member Associations in Africa that next year’s inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup™ will contribute to developing football both on their own continent and around the rest of the world.
Speaking at the 46th Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr Infantino also emphasised the importance of winning the fight against racism and said the expanded FIFA World Cup 26™ had contributed to more investment and football development in Africa.
Four African teams Al Ahly FC, Wydad AC, Espérance Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns will take part at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in 2025, giving them the chance to face teams from other parts of the world in competitive matches.
“Club football was at the basis of football. It was born as a national movement. It then became more and more continental as well, and after 150 years of history of football, it’s time that club football, as well, becomes global,” Mr Infantino said. “We want all of you to have a chance, and your players to have a chance to shine on the global stage… it will contribute, again, to developing football in Africa and in all corners of the world, because this is our mission.”
Mr Infantino added that all six confederations were united around FIFA’s Strategic Objectives which included the introduction of the tournament. “It’s the mission of all of us to give opportunities, to give hope, to give chances, to improve and to participate,” he said.
On racism, the FIFA President thanked the member associations for supporting FIFA’s Global Stand Against racism, taken at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 17, 2024. “I think this is a fundamental fight that we need to win, and that we are winning because we are united,” he said.
He said he was proud of the way African football had evolved in the last few years, focusing on five areas: football development, men’s national team football, women’s national team football, club football and youth football.- FIFA