FIFA President Gianni Infantino has praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s growing commitment to football, calling the country’s progress “absolutely incredible” and describing the sport as a source of unity and joy.
Speaking at the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh on Tuesday, Infantino commended Pakistan’s efforts to develop the game. He said that while building infrastructure is important, countries must also invest in “emotions and happiness,” values that football brings like no other.
“What you are doing with your country is transformative. I can only take my hat off,” Infantino said, addressing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other dignitaries. “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.”
Infantino spoke about football’s unmatched power to connect people across borders. He mentioned how recent global tournaments united billions of fans in shared celebration.
“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 we’re part of one world.”
The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar drew three million spectators and more than five billion viewers worldwide. The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand attracted 2 billion viewers. The next edition, to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is expected to reach six billion viewers and bring seven million fans to stadiums.