NFA President Grateful For Fifa New Changes

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has hailed for a decade of transformative leadership at .

In a goodwill message shared on X, Gusau praised Infantino’s “visionary stewardship, progressive reforms, and unwavering commitment to the global growth of football.” He also applauded the strong partnership between FIFA and the in advancing the beautiful game worldwide.

Infantino, first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2019 and 2023, has overseen some of football’s biggest milestones. The men’s World Cups in 2018 and 2022 were staged successfully, while preparations are underway for the first-ever 48-team tournament at the , offering more nations the chance to compete on the global stage.

Billions Invested in Football Development

Through the FIFA Forward Programme, over $5 billion has been invested in football development across all 211 member associations since 2016—seven times more than in the period before. This has strengthened grassroots football, improved infrastructure, and expanded training opportunities worldwide.

FIFA has also reformed its financial and governance systems, boosting transparency and efficiency. These changes helped restore global confidence in the organisation and attracted more sponsors and international partners.

Club World Cup and Women’s Football Boom

The expanded FIFA Club World Cup recorded massive fan engagement, with millions attending matches and billions watching worldwide.

Women’s football has seen historic growth under Infantino. The featured 32 teams for the first time and proved hugely successful. Plans are already in place to expand the tournament to 48 teams from 2031.

Prize money has also increased sharply. In 2023 alone, FIFA distributed $152 million to teams and players—three times the amount paid in 2019 and ten times more than in 2015.

Former Super Falcons star described FIFA’s new payment structure as “ground-breaking,” noting that players were paid directly for the first time.
“It guaranteed every player at least $30,000 and up to $270,000 for winners. It was a reward for years of hard work, especially for African players,” she said.

Rebuilding Trust and Supporting Football Globally

FIFA’s reforms have transformed the body into a more trusted global sports organisation. The United States Department of Justice recognised this turnaround by awarding compensation to the FIFA Foundation for past corruption losses.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA released $1.5 billion in relief funds to support member associations and keep football alive worldwide.

The introduction of the FIFA Clearing House has also ensured fair distribution of training rewards, with over $500 million allocated and more than $300 million paid to about 7,000 clubs globally.

A Decade That Changed World Football

From expanding tournaments to investing billions in development and promoting gender equity, Infantino’s 10 years at FIFA have reshaped global football. Gusau’s tribute reflects growing recognition of a leadership era defined by growth, reform, and opportunity for more nations to dream big on football’s biggest stage.