Gianni Infantino, President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), announced the establishment of a new tournament, which will be open to all 211 FIFA member associations, while also responding to his critics.
Gianni Infantino once again reaffirmed his commitment to remaining in his position as FIFA President, explaining that the gap between major footballing nations and the rest of the world must be narrowed. The Swiss has been under significant pressure in recent months amid calls for him to step down from his post.
Infantino has faced numerous criticisms recently, following the controversial events surrounding the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and Canada. Criticism intensified after the Swiss proposed selling a portion of FIFA’s World Cup shares to external investors.
This decision drew fierce backlash from the football community, prompting Infantino to withdraw the project. Meanwhile, there are many calls for the Swiss to resign from his position in the near future or to refrain from running for a new presidential term, as elections are scheduled to take place in February of next year.
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Infantino announced the establishment of the Under-15 World Cup for the first time. In statements reported by the website "Goal": "We will organize the Under-15 World Cup for the first time, and the tournament will be held this year. All 211 FIFA member associations are invited to participate."
He added: "This tournament will serve as a festival for children, where more than 4,000 children will play football together."
Infantino accused major footballing nations of not wanting other countries to grow. He made these remarks during a meeting held in the Dominican Republic with representatives from the Caribbean Football Union, under the umbrella of CONCACAF.
Infantino said, in statements reported by the newspaper "Mundo Deportivo": "It is important that we share and engage in dialogue, and that viewpoints and opinions are expressed properly. We have witnessed many events in recent weeks, and it is important that our voice is heard and that we are able to express how we feel. Therefore, I believe this is a positive development, and I am truly happy with the support I am receiving here."
Infantino hinted at criticizing UEFA after expressing his dissatisfaction with the stance of major footballing nations, explaining that efforts must be made to develop football in all 211 FIFA member countries.
He clarified: "Unfortunately, some countries do not want other countries to grow and develop, but we must narrow this gap between the very large footballing nations and the rest."
He continued: "I acknowledge that major countries put in a lot of effort, and we must praise them. It is natural for these countries to continue growing and developing, but we must give everyone a chance. We need to find investments and opportunities for everyone."
He added: "It is about finding and providing the necessary opportunities and resources to develop football around the world. This is what we have been striving for over the past ten years, and especially over the past ten weeks, and we will continue to do so in the coming years."
He concluded: "Everything we do is subject to FIFA’s standard laws, and decisions will be made democratically by the member associations, the Council, and the relevant bodies, with full compliance with these laws."
Several candidates have been proposed recently to succeed Infantino as FIFA President, among the most prominent of whom is the current President of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
