Gianni Infantino marked his tenth year as FIFA President on February 26, 2026. To commemorate the occasion, he sent a message of thanks to the 211 FIFA member associations, acknowledging their contribution to transforming the governance of global football. Elected during the extraordinary congress in Zurich in 2016, Infantino used this anniversary to take stock of his achievements and reaffirm his commitment to developing football at all levels.
In his letter, Infantino expressed pride in the progress made collectively, emphasizing that FIFA's success is the result of the combined efforts of the entire football family: member associations, players, coaches, referees, fans, and partners. He stressed the crucial role of these actors in promoting the values of unity and positive change conveyed by the sport.
The FIFA President highlighted the transformations that have taken place within the organization over the past decade. He specifically mentioned strengthening FIFA's transparency and credibility, as well as prioritizing football in all actions undertaken. The FIFA Forward program was cited as a concrete example of reinvesting record revenues generated by competitions, such as the World Cup, in infrastructure development, expanding youth competitions, and strengthening grassroots structures.
Infantino also emphasized the efforts made to foster a global and inclusive environment, with a particular focus on developing women's football and providing access to opportunities for young talents. Children's education, social cohesion, and the use of technology to improve refereeing and safety were also mentioned as priorities. According to him, these initiatives have helped make football more accessible, competitive, and united than ever before.
The FIFA President concluded his message by reaffirming his commitment to continue working with partners around the world, in a spirit of integrity, transparency, and sincerity. His goal remains to further globalize football, make it more inclusive and respectful, and thus spread joy, hope, and unity around the world. This message marks an important milestone in Gianni Infantino's tenure, as he continues to shape the future of global football. The next decade promises to be full of challenges and opportunities for FIFA and its member associations.
