AYV News, February 26, 2026
As Gianni Infantino marks ten years at the helm of FIFA on 26 February 2026, he has spotlighted Sierra Leone as a model of steady institutional development within world football.
In remarks issued ahead of the anniversary, the FIFA President referenced what he described as measurable gains in Sierra Leone’s football landscape, pointing to both competitive success and structural reform.
Among the key highlights was the triumph of the country’s U-17 women’s national team at the WAFU U-17 Women’s Cup, a milestone widely viewed as a breakthrough moment for women’s football. He also noted the establishment of a Women’s Premier League, supported under FIFA’s Forward Programme, as evidence of sustained efforts to expand opportunities for women and girls in the sport.
Infantino further underscored FIFA’s backing for infrastructure growth, including funding for the installation of five artificial playing surfaces nationwide. The initiative, he explained, aligns with FIFA’s broader commitment to improving access, raising standards, and strengthening grassroots participation.
The FIFA chief also recalled discussions held in New York last September with President Julius Maada Bioand Sierra Leone Football Association President BabadiKamara, during which the role of football as a tool for youth empowerment and national development was examined.
The recognition comes as Sierra Leone reflects on a decade of collaboration with FIFA under Infantino’sleadership, acknowledging what officials describe as consistent engagement and developmental support aimed at strengthening the country’s football institutions.
