Cali (Colombia) – During a visit that has received support from several South American football governing bodies, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is in Colombia to attend the swearing-in ceremony of ultradisciplinary president Abelardo de la Espriella. The visit comes amid tensions over a controversial proposal that aimed to allow private investment in FIFA activities and competitions, including World Cups.
The Swiss-Italian arrived in Cali early Friday morning and participated in an event where he emphasized the importance of ensuring children's enjoyment of football. 'We have to look into the eyes of these children who don't care about what we say, our speeches, and all this,' Infantino declared.
Several South American federations are backing his management, particularly Conmebol, which was the first organization to publicly support his re-election in April. Venezuela, Ecuador, and Paraguay also joined the call, while Brazil has not issued a formal statement.
'Not everything needs to be agreed upon,' said Alejandro Domínguez, president of Conmebol, during an interview with a local media outlet in Cali. 'We need to continue working for football, with dialogue.'
Infantino is also accompanied by the presidents of Conmebol and the local federation, Ramón Jesurun, who is a member of FIFA's Council.
The head of Conmebol has advocated for expanding the 2030 World Cup to include 64 teams. The centennial edition will primarily take place in Spain and Portugal, but three opening matches will be held in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Infantino’s visit to Colombia coincides with the opposition he faces in Europe and North America, where federations like UEFA continue their boycott of FIFA competitions. However, CAF has expressed support for the executive director.
'We are working to have a complete phase' in Argentina, said Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), during an interview broadcast on TyC Sports on Thursday. The Norwegian federation has called on Infantino to resign now.
