The 74th FIFA Congress, a landmark event drawing over 3,000 figures from the global football community, has cast an international spotlight on Thailand as a premier sports destination. The event, which runs until Friday, marks a significant achievement for Thailand as the first ASEAN nation and the sixth in Asia to host the FIFA Congress. The congress, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, welcomed participants from the six continental football federations and representatives from 211 member countries, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino and various football icons. AIMS President Stephan Fox was among global sports leaders attending the event. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, opened the congress with a warm welcome. This was followed by an address from Nualphan Lamsam, the President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT). FIFA President Gianni Infantino reiterated the organization’s mission to grow football globally and provide more opportunities for teams worldwide to play competitively. He announced initiatives such as expanded youth tournaments and proposed the creation of an U-15 football festival, open to teams from all member associations.
“Our duty is to offer more opportunities everywhere in the world, the opportunity to play, dream, be involved and, sometimes, change life. Also, the opportunity to grow not only as a footballer but also as a human being,” Infantino stated.
A key highlight of the congress was the official vote to determine the host nation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In a historic decision, Brazil was selected as the host, defeating a joint bid from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Brazil received 119 votes, while the joint European bid garnered 78 votes, making Brazil the first South American nation to host the tournament. Stephan Fox, President of the Alliance of Independent Members of Sport (AIMS) congratulated Brazil on their victory.
This is a monumental achievement for Brazil and a significant moment for South American football,” Fox remarked. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Brazil for their successful bid and look forward to an exceptional tournament in 2027.”
In his address, Infantino also announced a robust anti-racism program based on five pillars: rules and sanctions, action on the pitch, criminal charges, education, and players’ voice.
“Racism is something terrible. It is a scourge that exists in our society. And is one also that is infiltrated in football. For too long we were not capable of dealing with it in an appropriate way. We need to stand up and fight racism and defeat racism all together,” he declared.
Delegates responded with a standing ovation after five FIFA Legends outlined the principles of this initiative. Stephan Fox also engaged with key stakeholders and congratulated Mattias Grafström on his appointment as Secretary General of FIFA by the FIFA Council. The 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok concluded on a high note, leaving delegates with a sense of optimism and determination to advance football worldwide. The congress not only celebrated significant milestones but also set the stage for a more inclusive and united future for the sport.
