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FIFA addressed President Gianni Infantino MLS owners at the league’s Board of Governors meeting this week, becoming the first FIFA president to attend a board meeting since MLSfounded in 1996.
“I was very happy for the first time that the president of FIFA is coming to an MLS meeting of this nature,” said Infantino. “We have great events coming up here in North America with the new Club World Cup next year, the World Cup in ’26, so a lot of promotion for soccer or football as we call it.”
The MLS Board of Governors consists of one representative from the ownership of each of the league’s 30 teams and is chaired by commissioner Don Garber. The board meets in person three times a year and often uses those meetings to discuss league business and vote on league initiatives.
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Garber said Infantino joined the board dinner Monday night as well as the early part of the meeting Tuesday. Interim FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström also attended the meetings.
“It’s the first time in 29 years that a FIFA president has come to an MLS board meeting and I think that speaks to or underlines the importance of the North American soccer market and FIFA is embracing the opportunity here to grow the game,” Garber said. . “And it’s exciting to see the enthusiasm that exists at both FIFA and CONCACAF level with where we are today, but perhaps more importantly, what potential we have to make soccer the premier sport in this country.”
Garber said FIFA did not make a formal presentation, but instead took a more conversational approach to discussing the growth of the game in the US and the league itself.
“Gianni got up to the dais and just expressed his views on where the sport is in our country, his views on Major League Soccer and the impact we’ve made on the growth of the game, both at the fan level, which has been significant. but certainly our commitment and investment in infrastructure and in growing a supportive culture,” said Garber. “And I think he has very strong views that this is just the beginning of a journey where MLS can continue to develop and grow with the right level of investment and the right level of support to reach really incredible new heights .”
Garber said the league is excited about the opportunity to work alongside FIFA on several initiatives, noting things like coach education and other off-the-field initiatives and working with local governments to deliver sustainable value. beyond the 2026 World Cup.
“It’s important to work together to promote the game in North America and around the world, and from that perspective for me, it was very interesting and I look forward to continuing to work together,” Infantino said.
FIFA declined to comment further when asked about the world governing body’s removal as a defendant in Relevent Sports’ antitrust lawsuit, beyond the organization’s already released statement. The development is seen as a possible indication that FIFA may change its policy on allowing domestic league competitions to play games outside their territories – in effect, making the US a potential host for games from Europe’s major leagues. HOW Premier League.
Garber said he could not comment on the lawsuit, other than to say MLS is “going to take a step back and just try to better understand what the situation is.”
(Main photo: ULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)
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