ISLAMABAD: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said he plans to visit Pakistan in the near future as part of efforts to support the growth and development of football in the country.
Infantino made the remarks while speaking to Pakistan TV Digital on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“I will come to Pakistan very soon,” Infantino said, adding that he had conveyed this commitment during discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He also welcomed recent administrative changes within the Pakistan Football Federation, noting that the new leadership was taking positive steps.
Describing Pakistan as a “great football country,” the FIFA president said the organisation was working to help raise the profile of the sport in the country and strengthen its position in Asia.
Pakistan’s engagement with FIFA has increased in recent months. In December, Pakistani lawmaker Syeda Amnah Batool was appointed to FIFA’s Institutional Reforms Committee, marking greater representation in global football governance.
FIFA Senior Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa also visited Pakistan in November 2025, where he held meetings with government officials and football administrators to discuss infrastructure development and grassroots initiatives.
Football enjoys widespread popularity among Pakistan’s youth, with participation rising through school competitions, local tournaments and community clubs across major cities. However, the sport continues to compete for attention and resources in a country where cricket remains the dominant game.
