FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stressed the importance of a collaborative alliance between world football’s governing body and the Rwandan Football Association (FERWAFA) in order to bolster the foundations for the sport in the country, during a meeting with Olivier Mugabo, the member association’s President. Mr Infantino had emphasised the vital importance of investing in the infrastructure of football during a discussion at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali earlier in the week and continued the theme in positive dialogue with President Mugabo, which also focused on the role FIFA has to play in capacity building for football in the country.

The visit sought to harness the positive momentum in Rwandan football in recent years. FIFA inaugurated a Regional Development Office in Kigali and on a national level, FERWAFA has been supported in its objectives to develop football by a range of stakeholders including Rwandan President, Paul Kagame and his government. Kigali will again be the focus of global attention on 16 March, 2023 when hosting 211 member associations for the 73rd FIFA Congress.