FIFA President Infantino highlights football’s economic power at Davos.

FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino has lauded the economic power of football and the games ability to be a catalyst for economic growth.

Infantino was speaking as he attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

During the global gathering, the Fifa supremo met several heads of state, business leaders from different companies and officials of global organisations to emphasize football’s ability to create wealth and bridge social gaps.

“I think it’s important for football and for FIFA to be present at the World Economic Forum. Football is, as we know is more than a sport.” Infantino mentioned.

“Football is definitely a very important economic player in the world. And football also has a social function, which is also extremely important. So, being able to come to the World Economic Forum, to meet leaders of countries but also leaders of the business community and to see how football can integrate the economy all over the world, I think it’s very, very important.”

He also had talks with the heads of the World Health Organization (WHO)
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo and World Trade Organisation (WTO) Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

“let’s not forget that the global GDP of football is almost 270 billion USD, which positions football quite at an important level. It’s not just a game where you have 22 players, referees and fans who watch. It moves a lot as an economic sector, in terms of broadcast sponsorship, ticketing but also everything that’s around it, in terms of operations, the catering and so on – the security.” Infantino highlighted.

“So, it is really an important economic sector and there is a lot of potential for the development of this economic sector all over the world, to follow the great example that Europe and some European countries in particular have given. There is a lot to do all over the world.” the FIFA supremo concluded.