FIFA President Infantino Lauds PM Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s Development
FIFA President Praises PM Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s Transformative Football Development
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lauded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s remarkable strides in football development, describing the nation’s progress as “absolutely incredible” and commending its vision to make sports a source of unity, happiness, and social transformation.
Speaking at the ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, Infantino praised Pakistan’s leadership for integrating sports into the country’s broader framework of development, saying football embodies the same values that drive progress, emotion, inclusion, and joy.
5 Key Takeaways:
🔹 FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s football transformation.
🔹 Infantino highlighted football as a force for unity, joy, and emotional investment.
🔹 The Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh provided a global platform for his remarks.
🔹 He cited record-breaking global viewership of recent FIFA tournaments.
🔹 Pakistan’s government continues to link sports, development, and social progress.
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“What you are doing with your country is transformative. I can only take my hat off,” said Infantino, addressing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other global leaders in attendance. “Alongside your investments in technology, schools, and hospitals, we must also invest in happiness, and football is one of the best ways to bring people together.”
Football as a Force for Unity
Infantino emphasized that while infrastructure and economic growth are vital, investing in joy and human connection is equally essential. He highlighted football’s unparalleled role in uniting people across boundaries, calling it a “language of emotion” that transcends culture, race, and nationality.
Recalling recent tournaments, Infantino said the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar drew 3 million spectators and over 5 billion global viewers, while the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand reached 2 billion viewers worldwide. He projected that the upcoming 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, could attract a record-breaking 6 billion viewers and 7 million live spectators.
“At the end of the day, people want jobs and education, yes, but they also want a moment to forget everything and just be happy,” Infantino said. “That’s what football gives them. It reminds us that we’re part of one world.”
Pakistan’s Vision for Sports Growth
The Government of Pakistan has been increasingly focused on expanding the country’s sports infrastructure and encouraging youth participation in international competitions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration views football as a tool for nation-building, youth empowerment, and social cohesion, aligning with a wider national strategy to combine economic development with cultural revival.
The remarks by the FIFA President were warmly received by Pakistani officials and sports enthusiasts alike, signaling growing optimism for Pakistan’s re-emergence on the global football stage.
