By Victor Kanayo
FIFA Council on Thursday morning in Kigali, Rwanda, officially re-elected Gianni Infantino unopposed as its President for a third term.
The 52-year-old Swiss Lawyer who succeeded the disgraced Sepp Blatter in 2016, was waved in for a third term by acclamation, just as he was four years ago, by delegates from the 211 member federations.
Shortly after his re-election, Infantino who is known for his styled comic way of speaking in his acceptance speech said, “To all those who love me, and I know there are so many, and also those who hate me, I know there are a few: I love you all.
“Being FIFA president is a big honour and privilege but also a huge responsibility. You can continue to trust on my commitment.”
The FIFA council made up of over 200 delegates from member Federations across the world, is currently staging its 73rd annual Congress, where many far-reaching decisions will be made.
Part of the latest decision taken in Kigali were that; the men’s World Cup will increase from 32 teams to 48 for the next edition in North America in 2026 while the women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams for the first time in Australia and New Zealand later this year.
Earlier, Infantino announced a projected income of $11bn in the four years up to 2026, compared with $7.5bn in the last four-year cycle ending in 2022.
While FIFA statutes currently limit a president to a maximum of three-four year term, Infantino has already prepared the ground to stay until 2031, declaring in December that his first three years at the helm did not count as a full term.
Infantino, who staunchly defended Qatar’s hosting of last year’s World Cup as the Gulf state’s treatment of migrant workers, women and the LGBTQ community came under the spotlight, has overseen the expansion of the men’s and women’s World Cup and huge increases in FIFA revenues.
Meanwhile, President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, has honoured late Brazilian Football Legend, Edison Arantes Do Nascimento, popularly known as ‘Pele’ by naming the famous Kigali Stadium after him.
Kagame paid tribute to Pele for inspiring the football world and getting the world united during his legendary footballing career.
Kagame made the remarks on Wednesday, March 15, after he, alongside Infantino, officially inaugurated Kigali Stadium, which was named after the football legend and hence, became ‘Kigali Pele Stadium’, in a Football Delegation Tournament organised on the sidelines of the 73rd FIFA Congress.
