FIFA President Arrives In Egypt

FIFA president Gianni Infantino arrived in Cairo on Wednesday for a two-day visit where he is planned to attend the annual meeting of the Cairo-based Confederation of African Football (CAF), state news agency (MENA) reported.

The FIFA official also aims to congratulate the newly elected board of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), according to MENA.

Infantino  was received by a host of Egyptian officials at Cairo International Airport, including youth and sports minister Khaled Abdel-Aziz, FIFA executive committee member and Egypt’s football association president Hani Abu Reida and CAF’s president Issa Hayatou.

Infantino replaced In February fellow Swiss Sepp Blatter as president of the world football governing body for a term that runs until 2019.

Source : Kingfut

FIFA President Arrives In Egypt

Infantino Proposes Extra African Spots in World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested expanding the FIFA World Cup to 40 teams, with Africa receiving two extra qualifying spots.

Infantino has long been a supporter of the expansion of the FIFA World Cup from its current 32-team format, and proposed the idea before even being elected as FIFA president.

Africa is currently allocated five spots in the World Cup, with the current format.

“My proposal has been 40 teams and if that happens then m proposal has been to have at least two extra place for African teams,” Infantino said, according to British news outlet BBC.

However, the proposed expansion will definitely not be applied before 2026, with the 32-team format confirmed for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in Russia and Qatar respectively.

Source : Kingfut

Infantino Proposes Extra African Spots in World Cup

Africa To Get Two Extra World Cup Spot - Infantino

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended his controversial plan to expand the World Cup to 40 teams on Wednesday and has also indicated how Africa would be the biggest beneficiary, with two extra places, while Asia and would also get an extra place and a playoff spot

In an interview with Fox Sports 1, the chief of world football’s governing body pointed to the expansion of teams at Euro 2016 as evidence that the 32-team World Cup could successfully accommodate more sides therefore rejecting criticism the move would dilute the quality of football’s showpiece event

 

He said “For example, two more Africans, one and a half in CONCACAF, half in South America, half in Oceania, one and a half in Asia, we arrive at 39.

“And the last spot should be played on the pitch somehow let’s see how by the one who will deserve it in the best possible way”.

 

Africa To Get Two Extra World Cup Spot - Infantino

South Sudan FA Office Opened By Infantino

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino today opened the South Sudan Football Association’s new office.

The Italian, who won last month’s FIFA elections to succeed Sepp Blatter, inaugurated the facility in the war-torn country’s capital Juba.He will also attend the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between South Sudan and Benin, which kicks off at 13:30 GMT on Wednesday.

South Sudan played their first official friendly, against Uganda, in July 2012.It was only in 2011 that organised football was first played in South Sudan, after the country gained its independence from Sudan.

South Sudan officials dressed Infantino in traditional robes and made him dance. Officials also produced a large cake to celebrate the Italian’s 46th birthday.After gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan erupted into civil war in December 2013.

Infantino, who won last month’s FIFA elections to succeed Sepp Blatter, is due to visit South American football confederation CONMEBOL from 28 to 29 March in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay.

South Sudan FA Office Opened By Infantino