Gianni Infantino

FIFA tells Oceania to step up

“In order to have a chance to qualify for a World Cup, this will grow the game immensely in Oceania. We need to embrace the opportunity but the responsibility is on us to earn the spot. So this is a big year for the women and also the year of the Oceania where we put ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, in the centre of the world,” said Infantino.

Infantino re-elected FIFA president

Speaking immediately after the re-election to serve from 2023 to 2027, President Infantino said:

“Being FIFA President is an incredible honour, an incredible privilege, and it is also a great responsibility. I am truly humbled and touched by your support, and I promise you that I will continue serving FIFA, serving football all over the world and serving all 211 FIFA member associations.”

For the first time in its history, an elective FIFA Congress took place in Africa. The proceedings were opened by His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda.

FIFA plays down Russian hooligan violence fears at 2018 World Cup

"I'm not concerned about trouble and violence in 2018. I have full confidence in Russian authorities, they are taking this matter very, very seriously," he said in Doha on Friday (AEDT).

More than 100 England fans were injured following clashes with Russian supporters in Marseille before their group game at Euro 2016, causing UEFA to threaten the team with expulsion from the tournament.

There have been fears of more trouble at next year's tournament. But Infantino said the organisers were already putting plans in place to curb any hooliganism.

FIFA World Cup expansion on the cards despite concerns

The 37-member FIFA Council, which makes strategic decisions for soccer's governing body, will on Tuesday decide whether to increase the tournament from the current 32 teams to either 40 or 48, starting in 2026.

Infantino, elected last February to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter, pledged during his campaign to enlarge the tournament - a promise designed especially to appeal to the bulk of FIFA's 211 member associations that rarely or never qualify for World Cups.

Infantino now says he has "overwhelming support" for his plans.

Scala quits as FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee chair

In what represents a severe blow to President Gianni Infantino just three months into his tenure at world football's governing body, the Swiss-Italian has quit an important role at FIFA after the ruling Council was granted the power to dismiss the heads of the independent watchdog committees without consulting its membership.

The unprecedented move was approved at the Congress, the first to be held under Infantino's leadership, with an overwhelming majority of 186 votes to one during yesterday's meeting