FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has visited Ecuador in the latest stop on his tour of South America, received in Quito by Francisco Egas, President of the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF). 

The FIFA President used his visit to commend the aligned approach between the FEF and FIFA on the vision for the long-term development of Ecuadorian football on a visit that included a meeting with the President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso. The FIFA President was also welcomed for a very special tour of the Church of the Society of Jesus - known fondly as la Compañía - by President Egas, the Vice-President of the Republic Alfredo Borrero and the President of CONMEBOL, Alejandro Dominguez.

During the ongoing visit to South America, President Infantino is completing a clean sweep of visits to CONMEBOL member associations under his tenure, illustrating FIFA’s commitment to engaging with each of its members in pursuit of the true globalisation of football.

Ecuador has placed a strong emphasis on the lasting impact of sustainable investment in football at all levels, from grassroots through to elite, national level. President Infantino visited the Casa de la Seleccion, which acts as basecamp for all the Ecuadorian national teams.

“It’s a place which clearly breathes football and where every player wants to enjoy some magic moments,” said the FIFA President. “And it pays testament to the great work that the Federation, and everyone working in football here, has achieved. I have heard many words of thanks to FIFA for our support but really, these are the achievements of the FEF: FIFA really only plays a small part in helping, but we are extremely proud to do so.

“Clearly, when everyone works together in the same direction, great things can be achieved, and projects move and evolve in the right direction can have huge benefits for our communities, for our children, for the young players and the future of football. 

“It was an honour to meet with the President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso,” added Mr Infantino. “We spoke about football, but also how we have similar priorities, in football governance and the political world. We work for people, for everyone, for boys and girls everywhere, and thanks to football, we are able to help to teach values to these children.

“We have the FIFA Football for Schools project which teaches not only football but how to grow up, as better men and women,” he added. “Thank you to President Lasso for the opportunity to discuss how football can work for society, to give our young people a safe, positive environment in which to flourish.”

He went on to emphasise how FIFA continues to stand together with its member associations and recalled the support of the COVID-19 Relief Plan in recently helping associations through the impact of the pandemic.