Gianni Infantino was on Thursday, March 16, elected for a third term as FIFA President, the world governing body announced during the FIFA Congress in Kigali.
Infantino stood unopposed for the position.
The 52-year-old’s re-election was described as “a convincing election” after he was unanimously re-elected.
“I thank all of you, my family, my wife, my team, all of you, the FIFA team, the legends team, the council team, all those who love me, and also hate me, I love you all of course today is special,” he said.
For Infantino, being President of FIFA is an incredible honor, privilege and responsibility.
“I am truly humbled and touched by your support, and I simply promise you that I will continue serving FIFA, serving Football all over the world, all 211 member associations.”
“Leadership is obviously about listening, and learning. We always learn and then leadership is also about acting. You can continue to trust in my commitment and the only thing I am asking of you is to continue working hard together to unite the world with football,” he reiterated.
Infantino first rose to the leadership of FIFA when he replaced Sepp Blatter in 2016.
He won a second term in 2019.
The development means the Swiss-Italian is on course to preside over at least three World Cups, with his upcoming third-term set to go beyond the 2026 edition, which will be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Close to 2,000 delegates including top football executives from world football governing body (FIFA) met in Kigali on Thursday for the 73rd FIFA Congress.
The FIFA Congress, the supreme legislative body of FIFA, brings together top executives from FIFA, confederations and representatives from 211-member associations and other football stakeholders.
On the agenda of the congress was the suspension or expulsion of a member association, presentation of FIFA’s annual report during which member association will vote on approval of the consolidated financial statements for 2022 and off the FIFA statutory financial statements for 2022 before voting on approval of the cycle budget for 2023-2026 and the detailed budget for 2024.
In Kigali, Infantino noted that he is keen on engaging clubs and federations over the busy football schedules.
He said: “We have to protect the life of the players. We have to look at the way they can have time to rest and have time for holidays.
“It’s important to listen, to get input, to get opinions, to find the right balance. It’s important for us that we find the right balance between clubs and national teams. You have players who have to travel halfway around the world back and forth for these games. I think it is time to change it.”
