FIFA President Gianni Infantino laid out plans for the world of football on his latest visit to countries beyond those where sport is currently thriving, stating his desire to bring up-and-coming nations up to speed.
The comments were made when Infantino was in the Dominican Republic, visiting with representatives of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and in support of all those attending the CFU U-14 Challenge Series event.
Infantino used the event to demonstrate how funds can make their way from the FIFA Forward program to bring young players further forward in their careers. He asked for the money from elsewhere, however, to provide both genders with chances at playing football on the global stage.
“We want to grow football in every one of our 211 countries in the world,” stated Infantino. “We need to narrow this gap between the big, big countries and all the others. We need to give a chance to all the others.”
He revealed that his proposed U-15 World Cup would feature 211 member associations, meaning it was possible for over 4,000 youngsters to appear at a “festival of youth,” as he described the proposed event.
Such proposals, the FIFA president stated, rely on sponsors, broadcasters, or associated business partners investing money in those parts of the world where football can make a positive difference while suggesting FIFA wanted to invest much of its cash in global development.
