President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed appreciation for the continued support of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) for football development in the Maldives.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrived in the Maldives on Friday for his first official visit to the island nation, accepting an invitation extended by Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Ahmed Thoriq.
Infantino’s high-profile trip provided a crucial platform to discuss the current state of Maldivian football, facility needs, and future development strategies.
During his visit, the FIFA President met with President Dr Muizzu, who formally expressed gratitude for FIFA's continuous support in the development of the sport within the archipelago.
“We discussed strengthening cooperation with the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) to further nurture our nation’s passion for the beautiful game,” he said on a message shared on social media.
Infantino also held discussions with the FAM leadership on mechanisms to further cooperation aimed at strengthening the local game. The visit is considered a major boost to the FAM's ongoing efforts to revitalise Maldivian football, promising to strengthen the association’s management, restore stable financial systems for local clubs, ensure the protection of player rights, and enhance strategies designed to retain talented players within the sport.