FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially confirmed he will seek a further term in office, as football’s global governing body convened in Canada for its 76th annual Congress.
Addressing the 211 member associations, Infantino announced his candidacy for next year's presidential election on a day defined by record-breaking financial projections and lingering geopolitical tensions.
"The electoral period for the presidential election at FIFA starts today," Infantino said. "I am honoured and humbled, and I want to confirm to you that I will be a candidate for the election of FIFA president next year."
While the mood in the hall was largely celebratory, a notable absence loomed over the proceedings. Iran was the only member nation not represented at the summit, amidst ongoing uncertainty surrounding their participation in this summer's World Cup. Despite the escalating conflict involving the United States and Israel, Infantino remained resolute, reiterating that the Iranian national team "will be participating" in the tournament, which is set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The Bermuda Football Association was well-represented at the high-level talks, with President Mark Wade, First Vice President Shannon Burgess, and General Secretary David Sabir in attendance to navigate a busy legislative agenda.
Beyond the politics, the Congress approved the 2025 FIFA Annual Report, painting a picture of a sport awash with unprecedented levels of cash. The budget for the 2027-2030 cycle foresees record-breaking revenues of $14 billion.
FIFA has pledged that this windfall will be reinvested directly into the game, with member associations set to benefit from an eightfold increase in development investment compared to the era prior to 2016. Furthermore, the FIFA Forward programme is expected to reach a new high of $2.7 billion, as the governing body seeks to solidify its financial dominance on the global stage.
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