FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently engaged in pivotal discussions with Qatar’s FA President Jassim Rashid Al Buenain, centred on expanding the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The meeting, held in Paris, underscores Qatar’s increasing role in international football.
Amid the hosting of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Infantino expressed that the meeting took place as Qatar is set to host the first five editions of the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup, kicking off in 2025.
“It was great to meet the President of the Qatar Football Association, Jassim Rashid Al Buenain,” Infantino posted on his social media channels.
The proposed expansion aims to include more teams, potentially increasing the number of participating nations from 24 to 48 for the men’s edition and 24 for the women’s.
“I don’t have to defend Qatar they can defend themselves. I’m defending football and injustice.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s opening statement as he addressed the media on the eve of the World Cup in Qatar ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/q1rzwx63YU
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 19, 2022
This change is expected to offer broader representation and competition, aligning with FIFA’s strategic goals.
Infantino remarked, “We had the chance to reminisce about the glory of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and I congratulated him on their AFC Asian Cup victory back in February. We also looked forward to Qatar staging its third global FIFA tournament after the FIFA Council, in March, awarded the Gulf state multi-year hosting rights to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.”
Qatar, known for hosting the successful 2022 FIFA World Cup, is seen as a strategic partner in this endeavour.
Jassim Rashid Al Buenain highlighted the nation’s readiness, stating, “We have proven our capability to host major tournaments, and we look forward to supporting FIFA in this initiative.”
Statistics from previous tournaments indicate that the U-17 World Cup has been instrumental in discovering future football stars.
The 2019 edition saw 504 goals scored over 52 matches, showcasing the young talents’ prowess. Expanding the tournament could amplify such opportunities, making the U-17 World Cup a critical platform for aspiring footballers.
Infantino’s meeting with Qatar’s FA President also explored potential collaborations in training and development programs.
Infantino stated, “It’s an exciting time for football in Qatar and I’m excited to continue working closely with the football association to realise the full potential of our beautiful sport in the country.”
