FIFA President Cites SL’s Football Gains
By Lamin Tarawalie
As Gianni Infantino completes ten years as President of FIFA on 26 February 2026, he has pointed to Sierra Leone as an example of steady institutional and structural growth within the global game.
In remarks issued ahead of the anniversary, the FIFA boss noted that football in Sierra Leone has recorded tangible progress at both elite and grassroots levels.
He referenced the U-17 women’s national team’s victory in the WAFU U-17 Women’s Cup and the establishment of the Women’s Premier League, supported through FIFA’s Forward Programme.
These achievements, he indicated, demonstrate a deliberate shift toward expanding competitive opportunities for women and girls.
The FIFA President further outlined FIFA’s financial support for the installation of five artificial playing surfaces across the country, describing the investment as part of a broader policy aimed at strengthening infrastructure and widening access to the sport.
President Infantino also referred to discussions held in New York last September with President Julius Maada Bio and SLFA boss Babadi Kamara, during which the parties considered avenues for reinforcing football’s developmental role within Sierra Leone.
The statement coincides with Sierra Leone’s measured recognition of President Infantino’s decade at the helm of FIFA, noting with appreciation the steady engagement, developmental backing, and institutional cooperation extended to the country during his tenure.
