FIFA President Gianni Infantino has attended the inauguration of the new President of Colombia Abelardo de la Espriella in Santiago de Cali as well as a football festival for girls and boys in the same city.

The FIFA President participated in the festival alongside the Governor of Valle del Cauca Department Dilian Francisca Toro, the Mayor of Santiago de Cali Alejandro Eder Garcés, the President of CONMEBOL and FIFA Vice-President Alejandro Domínguez, the President of the Colombian Football Association (FCF) and FIFA Council member Ramón Jesurún, and the President of the Liga Vallecaucana de Fútbol Oweimar Giraldo Bedoya.

“When I was invited to be here today, I wanted to do something related to football, to grassroots football, to children’s football, because this is our heart,” Mr Infantino said in a brief speech. “Football is joy. Football is happiness. Football is unity.

“The only thing that matters is that we do everything that we can for these girls and boys to be able to enjoy the most magical sport in the world.”

Mr Infantino has made several visits to Colombia during his 10 years to date as FIFA President. In April 2016, he met the then President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, in Bogotá during what was his first trip to South America as FIFA President.

In July 2022, he was decorated with the Order of Boyacá, awarded to both Colombian and foreign citizens for exceptional services to the country, by President Iván Duque Márquez. The honour was awarded as recognition for his commitment to the development of football and its positive social impact in the country, especially towards children and youth.

Gianni Infantino also attended the Centenary FCF celebrations in September 2024, which took place at the same time the country was hosting the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024™.