PFF pays tribute to Gianni Infantino on 10th year as FIFA president

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF), led by president John Anthony Gutierrez and FIFA Council Member and former PFF president Mariano V. Araneta, paid tribute to Gianni Infantino as he marks his 10th anniversary as president of FIFA, lauding what they described as a transformative decade for global football and for the Philippines in particular.

Over the past several years, Philippine football has experienced significant progress, both on and off the pitch. Federation officials credit much of that momentum to FIFA’s expanded development programs under Infantino’s leadership — initiatives that have provided funding, infrastructure support, and governance reforms aimed at elevating emerging football nations.

The Philippines’ growing stature in international football has been underscored by its increasing role as a host of global competitions. The most notable milestone came when FIFA awarded the hosting rights of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup to the country in 2025. The decision signaled strong confidence in the Philippines’ organizational capability and its potential to help drive the sport’s expansion across Southeast Asia.

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“President Infantino’s trust in our nation to host the first-ever Women’s Futsal World Cup was a watershed moment for us. It proved that FIFA views the Philippines as a leader capable of organizing world-class events. His generous assistance throughout the hosting process underscored a deep belief in the capability of Filipino football leaders and our passionate community,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

For the PFF, hosting the tournament represents more than a singular event. It is viewed as a catalyst for long-term growth — stimulating investment in facilities, strengthening domestic leagues, and inspiring greater youth participation, particularly among women and girls.

Gutierrez emphasized that while recent achievements of the national teams have captured headlines, the federation’s deeper focus is on building sustainable foundations.

“Behind the resurgence of our national teams with historic performances in the past years, it is the bricks and mortar – modern facilities, modernization of governance, and grassroots development support – that will define our future. President Infantino understands that for football to truly be global, every member association must have the tools to professionalize and grow. We are now better equipped than ever to nurture the next generation of talent,” he added.

HIGH STANDARDS SET BY PH

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated the Philippines for its successful hosting of the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, which concluded with Brazil hoisting the trophy.

A packed crowd at the PhilSports Arena watched on Sunday night as… pic.twitter.com/71oYrpzUdU

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) December 8, 2025

Central to that progress has been FIFA’s flagship development initiative, the FIFA Forward program, which has played a pivotal role in modernizing Philippine football infrastructure and administrative systems.

Among the major milestones:

World-Class Facilities: The establishment of the first-ever FIFA Arena in Balanga, Bataan — a landmark project aimed at raising training and competition standards. The initiative is expected to expand further, with plans to roll out at least 20 world-class pitches nationwide by 2026, significantly widening access to quality playing surfaces.

A New Home for Football: The construction of a new five-story PFF National Headquarters and Training Center in Carmona, Cavite. Designed as a high-performance hub, the facility will serve as the central base for national teams, coaching education, and federation operations.

Modernization in All Spheres: Beyond infrastructure, FIFA has extended guidance in coaching education, grassroots development, and governance reforms, helping the PFF strengthen transparency, accountability, and long-term strategic planning.

Araneta highlighted the broader regional impact of Infantino’s leadership, particularly in empowering Asian member associations.

“President Infantino has been a true partner for Asian football and for the Philippines in particular. His commitment to equal opportunity and global growth empowered nations like ours to accelerate football development,” Araneta added.

Women’s football, in particular, has benefited from structural reforms introduced during Infantino’s tenure. FIFA’s decision to expand the FIFA Women’s World Cup from 24 teams in 2019 to 32 in 2023 created greater competitive opportunities for emerging nations and strengthened the sport’s global reach. For countries like the Philippines, expanded pathways to elite competition have provided both exposure and belief — fueling a surge of interest and participation at the grassroots level.

As Infantino reaches a decade at the helm of world football’s governing body, Philippine football leaders see their country’s upward trajectory as part of a larger vision: a more inclusive, better-resourced global game where developing federations are equipped not just to participate, but to thrive.

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