FIFA President Gianni Infantino has visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and met with senior football administrators and officials, following the country’s successful recent hosting of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021™. Mr Infantino travelled to the UAE and attended the Expo 2020 Dubai UAE, where he met with the President of the UAE Football Association, and discussed the future of football in the region.

Speaking just days ahead of the 72nd FIFA Congress and Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the President commented afterwards on his long-standing affinity with the Gulf and its people. “I love the UAE, and the Gulf region will also have the FIFA World Cup coming up soon in Qatar. I love this part of the world, that’s not a secret,” Mr Infantino said.

With eight months to go until the Arab world hosts the FIFA World Cup for the first time, the FIFA President also discussed football’s ability to unite. Mr Infantino added: “Football is about inclusion, it’s about bringing people together. It’s about unity and we have, especially in difficult times, to keep these values high. Whenever we are going anywhere in the world and seeing children playing football, this makes us feel confident for the future, and smile for the future.” During the visit, the FIFA President also visited the World Government Summit 2022.