On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with President Joseph Aoun.
In a message posted on Instagram, Infantino said he had “the pleasure of talking football” with the president, highlighting the role of sport as a “source of hope and opportunity” for Lebanese youth. He emphasized the importance of FIFA's development initiatives, including the “FIFA Arena” project aimed at strengthening infrastructure.
Infantino acknowledged some of the progress made in recent years by Lebanese football, such as the Olympic team's historic qualification for the U23 Asian Cup and the improvement in the women's team's world ranking.
Recalling his visit to Lebanon in 2019 for the launch of the “Football For Schools” program, the FIFA president highlighted the Lebanese people's passion for the game and the unifying role of sport in a country in crisis.
Beyond football, the FIFA president has a strong personal connection to the country: he is married to Lebanese Leena Al-Ashqar, a bond he regularly refers to and one that gives each of his visits to Lebanon a special dimension.
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