FIFA President Gianni Infantino is scheduled to make a one-day official visit to the Maldives this Friday, the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has confirmed.
FAM President Ahmed Thoriq (Tom) confirmed the visit but did not share further details. However, some media reports say that Infantino will make a courtesy call on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, in addition to discussions with main clubs and key football stakeholders during his brief stay.
Infantino is expected to arrive on a private jet and depart the same evening, according to sources familiar with the visit. Special events are planned to coincide with his visit, including a children’s event.
Infantino’s visit is widely viewed as an effort to revive and strengthen Maldivian football, which has faced setbacks in recent years due to corruption scandals during the tenure of former FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel, who is currently imprisoned.
Current FAM President Ahmed Thoriq was elected under the supervision of FIFA’s Normalization Committee and has been leading efforts to reform the association and restore confidence in the sport.
Thoriq recently met Infantino at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, where the FIFA President commended his leadership and congratulated the Maldives on their recent South Asian Cup victory over Sri Lanka.
“I have no doubt that Thoriq will utilize his experience and vision as a former player to his post as FAM’s President,” Infantino stated.
This marks only the second visit by a FIFA President to the Maldives. The first was by Sepp Blatter, who made a two-day visit following the 2006 tsunami. During that trip, Blatter met with then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and announced a USD 2 million contribution from FIFA to support the Maldives’ Tsunami Recovery Program.
