FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Cali to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella. This event comes amid controversy over his failed attempt to privatize international competitions, including the World Cup, and under pressure from UEFA.
Infantino arrived at the airport smiling alongside Alejandro Domínguez, president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), an organization that has publicly supported Infantino in opposition to the bellicose currents led by UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation.
Eight months before the end of his term and with elections scheduled for March 2027, Infantino is under intense pressure, especially from UEFA. The powerful European confederation maintained a threat of boycotting the World Cups despite the withdrawal of the controversial project and the apologies expressed by FIFA the day before.
Football, unity, and joy
During a children's football festival, Infantino expressed his happiness at attending the event. "Football is joy, football is happiness, football is unity," he said to dozens of children wearing soccer uniforms.
"We must always look into these children's eyes, even if they mock what we say or our speeches; what matters is that we do everything possible so that these girls and boys can enjoy the most magical sport," he added.
Elected on June 21, Abelardo de la Espriella, aged 48, is a representative of the radical right and an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom Gianni Infantino maintains close ties.
