By Victor Kanayo
Report from Paris, the France capital, indicates that FIFA will most likely push to take over massive Stade de France, shortly after the 2024 Olympics.
French newspaper L’Equipe in a report captured by Insidethegame, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and FIFA leader Gianni Infantino have already discussed this during a meeting in February.
Ministry of Sport in France, previously announced that it had no plans to extend the contract with Bouygues and Vinci when it is due to come to an end on June 30 next year, and that the government was due to launch a call for tenders.
In estimation, the 81,500-capacity Stade de France is put around €600 million (£532 million/$637 million) but requires €400 million (£355 million/$425 million) for renovation work, according to L’Equipe.
The Stade de France is set to host athletics and rugby sevens competitions, as well as the Closing Ceremony of Paris 2024.
The venue was built by Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France and Vinci in time for the 1998 FIFA World Cup and is owned by the French Government.
The arena is also the home of the French rugby team and is set to stage matches during this year’s Rugby World Cup, including the semi-finals and final.
It emerged in November 2022 that Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the Qatari owner of French football club Paris Saint-Germain, was looking to purchase a stadium for the team to play in, with Paris 2024 venues Stade de France and Parc des Princes on the shortlist.
Although, FIFA has denied suggestions that it is mulling over a purchase of the stadium, Infantino is reportedly looking at the idea with a view to holding premium football events and is awaiting the call for tenders.
