Gianni Infantino Re-elected As FIFA President
Gianni Infantino will serve a second term as FIFA President after being re-elected unopposed to lead global football’s governing body for another four years, during the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.
For the first time in its history, an elective FIFA Congress took place in Africa. The proceedings were opened by His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda.
Speaking immediately after the re-election to serve from 2023 to 2027, Infantino, said: “Being FIFA President is an incredible honour, an incredible privilege, and it is also a great responsibility.
“I am truly humbled and touched by your support, and I promise you that I will continue serving FIFA, serving football all over the world and serving all 211 FIFA member associations.”
During the Congress, Infantino stressed FIFA’s role to organise competitions and to develop football and revealed that the 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Australia and New Zealand later this year will receive an increase in prize money to over USD $150m – more than three times the value from the last tournament in 2019, and ten times more than in 2015.
However, the controversial Visit Saudi sponsorship of the showpiece women’s tournament has been dropped after a backlash from players and the tournament organisers in Australia and New Zealand.
He also announced additional changes to the transfer system and a continued commitment to financial sustainability across the football pyramid. For the next financial cycle, the commitment of USD $11bn in revenue over the next four years was stated, which represents an increase on the initial target of USD $6.4bn from the previous cycle, and an increase on the USD $7.5bn in revenue which was eventually reported.
