Swiss football administrator Gianni Infantino has secured a second term as FIFA president, extending his leadership until 2027. He was re-elected at FIFA’s 73rd Congress with unanimous applause, marking the continuation of his tenure as the organization’s chief executive since 2016. The session took place in Kigali, Rwanda, as the world’s football community gathered to review achievements and set future goals.
During the meeting, Infantino highlighted a string of milestones from his first seven years in office. He pointed to what he called the best World Cups in the history of the game for both men and women, drawing attention to the enormous global reach with millions of fans attending in person and via broadcast. He cited record spectator numbers and viewing figures, and noted the steady growth in engagement in major events such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2019 tournament held in France.
On the matter of event security and atmosphere, Infantino praised the Qatar tournament for its strong organization and peaceful conduct, crediting the absence of alcohol-related incidents for contributing to a calm environment. He also reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to humanitarian considerations and the lasting impact of the event on human rights dialogue and legacy planning in host countries.
Infantino underscored FIFA’s response capabilities during health crises, including a substantial support package aimed at assisting non-professional football and ensuring the sport’s resilience. He noted a notable improvement in the federation’s finances, with revenue surpassing prior projections and a controlled budget, which enabled greater investment in development and global programs.
He emphasized the organization’s shift toward greater transparency, saying formal audits and accurate accounting built trust with sponsors and broadcasters. He recalled the financial position at his arrival—around a slim amount—and contrasted it with a much stronger balance today, which he argued empowers FIFA to fund more initiatives across member associations.
The president also spoke about a substantial increase in development funding, ensuring that each federation receives significantly more support to grow the game locally. He mentioned specific figures allocated to development programs for the 2023–2026 period and referenced the recovery of funds previously tied to corruption cases, noting how such restitution has reinforced FIFA’s credibility and financial stability.
Infantino projected robust future revenue, excluding potential income from upcoming competitions, and celebrated the expansion of the Club World Cup and the ongoing preparation for national team events amid a growing global calendar. He highlighted women’s football milestones, including a forthcoming World Cup featuring teams from Australia and New Zealand and a plan for a wider and more inclusive Club World Cup format every four years, featuring teams from across confederations.
Looking ahead, Infantino called for more competition to elevate the sport globally. He discussed the idea of expanding women’s club tournaments and introducing a global club and national-team competition structure that would keep quality high worldwide. He stressed the need to ensure the international match calendar remains the primary tool for coordinating fixtures between clubs and national teams, while proposing a working group to refine health considerations for players into the 2030s.
Accepting the mandate, Infantino expressed gratitude for the support of delegates and reaffirmed his pledge to serve the game and FIFA’s member associations. He asserted that the organization’s mission is to unite football fans and spread joy and peace through the sport while staying true to the responsibilities that come with leadership. Congress members were invited to review and endorse the annual report, which outlined progress and future commitments.
Infantino’s current term marks his second as FIFA president, following his initial election in 2016. Regulations limit presidential service to a maximum of twelve years, allowing him to serve until the end of the current cycle and, potentially, into 2031, depending on future decisions by FIFA’s governance bodies. The congress in Kigali confirmed Infantino’s position after he faced a competitive field in the past, with the Swiss administrator ultimately prevailing by a clear majority in the decisive ballot. The leadership transition built on a broader push for governance reform in football’s global federation, aiming to restore trust and propel the sport to new heights.