Infantino promises record growth after FIFA re-election

Gianni Infantino was re-elected as FIFA president during the 73rd Congress in Kigali on Thursday, promising record revenues in the next four-year cycle of $11 billion [€10.37 billion] as he called for more football to be played around the world.

Infantino stood unopposed, making his re-election as head of football's governing body a formality, even if he is not universally popular among member associations for a range of reasons, including pushing for a failed plan to play the World Cup every two years.

"It is an incredible honour and privilege, and a great responsibility," Infantino said.

"I promise to continue serving FIFA and football around the world.

"To those that love me, and I know there are many, and those who hate me... I love you all."

Infantino confirmed FIFA's income hit record levels in the last cycle from 2019-22, but promised to substantially raise this again on the back of expanded men's and women’s World Cup tournaments and the introduction of a 32-team Club World Cup.

"Revenues rose to a record $7.5 billion [€7 billion, to 2022] in a period that was hit by Covid-19. When I arrived, FIFA reserves stood at around $1 billion [€940m]. Today they are at almost $4 billion [€3.7 billion]," Infantino said.

"We promise new record revenues for the next cycle of $11 billion, and the new Club World Cup is not included in that figure, so it could increase by a couple of billion [more]."

Infantino said FIFA would continue to review the transfer system to "improve transparency" and suggested the organisation might discuss a salary cap.

"We must improve our regulations and the FIFA statutes. We will continue to evolve our good governance principles and look at the transfer system, and maybe have a discussion to improve