FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents a pennant to European Club Association chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi
The FIFA Council held a meeting at its headquarters in Zurich on October 2, 2025, where it made several important decisions regarding football governance, competitions, and stakeholder relationships. Key participants included Peter Knäbel, President of the Swiss Football Association, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), and Bruno Chiomento, Chairman of the Governance, Audit, and Compliance Committee, who participated as observers.
Football as a Means for Peace
During his opening address, Gianni Infantino underscored football’s potential to promote peace amidst ongoing global conflicts, with a particular focus on the situation in Gaza. He stated, “FIFA is dedicated to leveraging football’s power to unite people in a fragmented world. We extend our sympathy to those impacted by conflicts worldwide, and the crucial message that football can offer right now is one of peace and solidarity,” while acknowledging FIFA’s ongoing engagement with confederation leaders. Infantino added, “While FIFA cannot resolve geopolitical challenges, it can and must advocate for football globally by emphasizing its unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian principles.”
Safeguarding Football’s Structure
The Council also discussed the various challenges facing professional football, including public criticism, legal disputes, and governance issues tied to entities operating outside the established pyramid model that supports club and national team football globally. Council members highlighted that these situations jeopardize the sport’s stability.
“FIFA will persist in encouraging all stakeholders interested in constructive dialogue to safeguard players, strike an appropriate balance between club and national team football globally, and enhance the future of football,” remarked Infantino.
Establishment of Standing Committees
After discussions with Member Associations and confederations, FIFA announced the appointment of members to its newly formed Standing Committees for the 2025-2029 term. The list of newly appointed members will be made available on FIFA’s official website, with nominations for stakeholder candidates to be presented to the Council for review.
“The new Standing Committees will enhance the participation of our Member Associations, confederations, and other stakeholders in our decision-making, ensure increased female representation, and introduce concentrated technical expertise in various football-related sectors,” said the FIFA President. “This means FIFA will be better equipped for future challenges.”
Updates on Competitions
The Council received a report on the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi described as a resounding success, generating significant enthusiasm among clubs regarding the competition’s future.
Additional competition updates included:
FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027: Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan designated as co-hosts.
FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026: London, England confirmed as the venue for the final phase, with four matches scheduled between January 28 and February 1, 2026.
CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026: Scheduled dates from March 17 to April 3, 2026, now included in the Women’s International Match Calendar.