Zurich: On the 10th anniversary of Gianni Infantino's election as FIFA President, he expressed gratitude to the presidents of the 211 FIFA Member Associations (MAs) for their unwavering support in transforming FIFA's governance and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to transparency and competition expansion.
According to Emirates News Agency, Infantino highlighted 11 key achievements since his election at the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, on February 26, 2016. He emphasized the successful reintegration of football into FIFA's core focus, achieved through collective efforts, and recalled the crisis the organization faced at the time of his election. By embracing reform, transparency, and development, FIFA has charted a new path forward.
Infantino underscored the importance of unity between FIFA and the MAs, thanking them for their dedication and role in restoring FIFA's connection to football. Among the notable measures was the FIFA Forward Programme, which increased development funding to MAs sevenfold, enabling localized investment.
Youth development received significant attention through the Talent Development Scheme, offering structured pathways for young players globally. Additionally, administrative capacity-building programmes have targeted areas such as legal, finance, infrastructure, medical, IT, safeguarding, and security.
FIFA also enhanced decision-making involvement for MAs, with open forums like FIFA Executive Summits facilitating idea exchange for the sport's future. The implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in 2018 improved fairness on the field, with further democratization efforts through VAR Light and Football Video Support.
In 2024, FIFA took a Global Stand Against Racism, supported unanimously by all 211 MAs. The expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams increased playing opportunities for men's national teams. Simultaneously, the FIFA Women's World Cup expanded to 32 teams in 2023, with plans for 48 teams by 2031, alongside over 1,700 women's development projects across 204 MAs.
FIFA expanded youth national team opportunities, establishing clearer pathways from grassroots to elite levels. The FIFA U-17 World Cup's expansion for both girls and boys exposed players to international competition at younger ages. The new festival-style FIFA U-15 Youth World Cup is set to transform young lives worldwide.
Financial support mechanisms introduced by FIFA included a US$1.5 billion COVID-19 Relief Plan, disaster relief funding, and a post-conflict recovery fund to assist associations affected by war. In club football, FIFA staged its first expanded Club World Cup in 2025 and announced plans for a Women's Club World Cup in 2028, along with other international club competitions.
FIFA has also increased the distribution and scope of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme, further supporting clubs globally.
