FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. He took the opportunity to strengthen ties between FIFA and other international organisations. “This summit in Davos is a fantastic platform for sharing our experiences and discussing the changes that we can make to the world we live in. This progress – whether technological, digital, industrial or philosophical – has an impact on football and football, too, has its own role to play,” said the FIFA President.

Speaking with heads of state from three different continents, including the President of Rwanda and 2018 Chairperson of the African Union Paul Kagame, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, President Infantino promoted the role of football in society. During his discussions with the three leaders, he focused on the social and economic aspects of the sport, and the value it can bring to education and health.

The positive discussions point towards future cooperation. “I was greatly encouraged by today’s meetings with President Kagame, President Macri, and Prime Minister Trudeau, that FIFA is well on the right path in the reforms we have initiated, and that this is proof that trust in our organisation has been restored,” said Infantino. “They all acknowledged the social and economic importance of football for development in their countries and regions, as well as the role that FIFA already plays in these aspects of society. In the coming months, we will explore the best ways to cooperate in concrete terms with both the African Union and the G20 in the aim of using football as a vector for development, education, and healthy living. The values of football have a great role to play in modern society.”