At the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) in Riyadh, FIFA President Gianni Infantino used his platform to reaffirm football’s transformative power, not just as a sport, but as a force for unity, joy, and social progress.
Sharing the stage with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, and leaders from Pakistan, Colombia, Albania and Guyana, Infantino painted a compelling vision for how the “beautiful game” can elevate communities and bridge divides.
“This is not just a ball; it’s a magic instrument. It transforms people into happy people … people who dream, who create, who believe in tomorrow.” he told the audience, encouraging fellow panelists to pass around a match ball to spark smiles in the room.
Infantino described football as a vehicle to reinforce values widely discussed at FII: peace, understanding, education and inclusion. He stressed that FIFA, through its network of 211 member associations, is investing revenues back into global development programs tackling issues like racism, safeguarding, and equal opportunity.
While emphasizing FIFA’s commitment to on-field fairness, Infantino also positioned football as a moral compass in a fragmented world.
“Besides training stadiums or infrastructure, we must build spaces of trust, respect, empathy,” he argued. This message resonated at an event where global financiers, governments, and civil society converged to debate humanity’s direction.
Infantino’s intervention came amid high-level exchanges. He spent meaningful moments alongside presidents and prime ministers, reinforcing how sport and policy must be intertwined.
Beyond symbolism, Infantino noted that FIFA’s mission extends to creating tangible pathways. From youth training programs to knowledge-sharing initiatives, he argued, football’s off-pitch influence is as vital as its goals and trophies.
He also cited FIFA’s social responsibility goals embedded in its strategic framework 2023-2027, particularly the one devoted to human rights and community development.
In the lead-up to the next FIFA World Cup in North America (🇨🇦🇲🇽🇺🇸), Infantino framed football as a celebration of global unity and human emotion. He challenged audiences to look beyond infrastructure investments and technological upgrades, reminding them that happiness and connection are themselves worthy returns.
In a world where progress often feels mechanical, Infantino’s address at FII9 was a timely reminder to transform societies by nurturing hearts as much as roads and stadiums are built.
