FIFA President Extends Gratitude to the Vietnam Football Federation

On the occasion of the 10-year milestone since his election, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his appreciation to the 211 member associations and reviewed the significant reforms and accomplishments of the organization over the last ten years.

On the occasion of the full 10-year milestone since his election day (February 26, 2016 – February 26, 2026), FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a letter to the 211 member associations worldwide, expressing gratitude for their companionship and support throughout a decade of reform. This is regarded as a crucial landmark in the process of reshaping the world's most powerful football organization.

In the letter, he emphasized the collective spirit that drove the transformation: “I believe we have succeeded in bringing football back to FIFA and bringing FIFA back to football. And we have achieved this together.”This message not only serves as a summary but also reaffirms the central role of member associations within FIFA's operational structure.

The FIFA President recalled the time he was elected at the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich (Switzerland) in 2016, when the organization was mired in a severe crisis threatening its very existence. According to him, the decision to choose a new path at that time was based on three pillars: reform, transparency, and development – the foundation for the subsequent extensive restructuring process.

One of the highlights of the 2016–2026 period is the enhanced direct financial support for member associations through the FIFA Forward Programme, with investment levels seven times higher than before. Alongside this is the FIFA Talent Development Programme aimed at expanding opportunities for young players globally, as well as initiatives to strengthen governance, operational capacity, and promote women's leadership in football.

FIFA also advanced institutional reform by expanding the participation of member associations in the decision-making process, through Executive Forums and a new system of standing committees. On the pitch, the introduction of VAR technology from 2018, along with flexible technological solutions for countries with limited conditions, is seen as a significant step forward to enhance fairness and transparency.

At the competition level, FIFA expanded the scale of the men's, women's, and youth World Cups, while launching the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and moving towards a future FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. Along with financial support packages during the COVID-19 pandemic, disaster relief, and post-conflict recovery funds, these steps are viewed by President Gianni Infantino as evidence of a stronger, more reliable, and unified FIFA, laying the foundation for sustainable global football development in the coming decade.