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The 66th FIFA Congress is shaping up to be a historic one for the organisation. Not only will the assembly in Mexico City be the first one presided over by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but it will also mark the first time that FIFA’s supreme body meets under the revised FIFA Statutes that came into force on 27 April.
“Mexico is steeped in football tradition and we are happy to be involved at the heart of this period of important decisions for the world of football,” said the president of the Mexican Football Federation (FEMEXFUT) Decio De María. “It is a great honour for our country to welcome our fellow Member Associations again after 30 years,” he added, referring to the last time Mexico hosted a FIFA Congress, a few days before the opening of the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™.
The 66th FIFA Congress takes place on Friday 13 May, beginning at 09.30 local time, at the Centro Banamex. Items on the agenda will bring all 209 Member Associations up to speed on such crucial matters as the governance reforms approved by the Extraordinary Congress on 26 February and FIFA’s plans to enhance football development even further.
“Following the approval of the revised statutes, the FIFA Congress is a key milestone in our commitment to put the reforms into action and lead FIFA and football forward. An important part of FIFA’s recovery is to engage with the football world, including former top players,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “After going through some uneasy times, I truly believe that the organisation is on the verge of an exciting new era and that we can unite to work towards our common goal of developing football across the globe and at all levels.”
Around the CongressIt is sure to be an eventful few days for the representatives of the 209 Member Associations as Mexico City hosts a number of parallel events in the week leading up to the FIFA Congress. Four confederations will organise their own congresses – CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and the OFC – and the AFC will hold a meeting of its executive committee.
Furthermore, on 9 and 10 May the FIFA Council will meet for the first time – still with the same composition as that of the Executive Committee that it replaced, but already with the non-executive role established by the revised FIFA Statutes.
As well as so many important organisational meetings, there will also be time during the week to put football rightfully in the spotlight. On Wednesday 11 May, as the Estadio Azteca celebrates its 50th anniversary, a group of FIFA Football Legends will take to the pitch of the legendary stadium for a friendly game with a team of Mexican all-stars.
The action-packed week will receive full coverage on all of FIFA’s digital platforms, and on Friday 13 May, FIFA.com and FIFA’s YouTube channel will be live as of 09.30 local (CET -7) to stream the whole of the FIFA Congress, as well as the post-Congress press conference.