FIFA President Gianni Infantino Visits Tonga to Witness Progress and Discuss Football Development
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has recently embarked on a visit to the Kingdom of Tonga to personally observe FIFA Forward initiatives and discuss further development of football in the country. During his trip, he was accompanied by Lord Ve’ehala, the President of the Tonga Football Association (TFA), and met with the Prime Minister, the Honourable Hu’akavameiliku, at the TFA headquarters.
Expressing his satisfaction with the visit, Infantino stated, “I am pleased to witness the impressive work done by Lord Ve’ehala and his team at the TFA to make football a tangible dream for the young generation in Tonga.” He further emphasised FIFA’s commitment towards remote areas, highlighting, “We are here for those living in the most isolated parts of the world, for those who never give up on their dreams. Our mission is to provide opportunities to all, and we are proud to do so here in Oceania.”
Infantino acknowledged the enthusiasm for the FIFA Women’s World Cup across the Pacific, noting the joy of the local children. “These smiles and dreams that football brings, this is the World Cup that Tonga wins every day, and I am proud to witness this.”
Among the locations visited was the TFA headquarters, one of the most resilient structures in Tonga. The building had previously served as a shelter for locals during the devastating tsunami in 2022.
FIFA Forward is currently aiding the construction of a new TFA Stadium. Scheduled for completion next year, the stadium is designed for resilience against natural disasters and to be highly accessible. This forms part of FIFA’s broader initiative to expand the sport outside of Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga.
Plans for future projects include the establishment of technical centres in the Ha’apai islands and the island of ‘Eua, as well as financial support for the participation of both national teams in the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands later this year.
Tonga proudly leads the region in implementing FIFA’s Football for Schools programme. This global initiative aims to make football more accessible by integrating it into the school curriculum.
The Hon. Hu’akavameiliku extended his gratitude for the visit, highlighting its significance. “This visit signifies FIFA’s strong commitment to promoting football, not only in Tonga but also in the wider Pacific region. We appreciate the focus not just on Nukuʻalofa, but also on our other islands,” he said.
Accompanying Infantino on this trip were Mattias Grafström, FIFA Deputy Secretary General – Football, Youri Djorkaeff, Senior Football Advisor and FIFA World Cup 1998™ champion, along with FIFA Legends Houssine Kharja and Tim Cahill.
This visit follows the announcement made at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Congress on July 19. As part of an ongoing tour, the FIFA President is visiting several member associations in the region to observe firsthand the advancements being made in the sport.
President Infantino has already attended FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ matches in all venues in Aotearoa New Zealand. After the initial visits to the Pacific Islands, he plans to continue the tour by attending group stage matches in Australia.
