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MINUTES Procès-verbal Acta Protokoll
MINUTES Procès-verbal Acta Protokoll
2 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018 3
CONTENTS
Table des matières / Índice / Inhalt
English 3
Français 25
Español 47
Deutsch69
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
President: Gianni Infantino
Secretary General: Fatma Samoura
Address: FIFA-Strasse 20
P.O. Box
8044 Zurich
Switzerland
Telephone: +41 (0)43 222 7777
Internet: FIFA.com4 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
MINUTES
of the 68th FIFA Congress at the
at the Expocentre, Moscow, Russia
Wednesday, 13 June 2018 – 09:00-14:00
1. Welcome
2. Roll call and declaration that the Congress has been convened and composed in compliance with
the Statutes
3. Appointment of scrutineers and of five members to check the minutes
4. Suspension or expulsion of a member
5. Approval of the agenda
6. Approval of minutes
67th FIFA Congress – Manama, 10 and 11 May 2017
7. President’s address
8. Activity Report
8.1 Activity Report
8.2 FIFA World Cup™
8.3 Next FIFA events
9. Finance and governance
9.1 Consolidated financial statements for 2017
9.2 FIFA statutory financial statements for 2017
9.3 Auditors’ report to the Congress
9.4 Report by the chairman of the FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee
9.5 Vote on approval of the consolidated financial statements for 2017 and of the FIFA statutory
financial statements for 2017
9.6 Cycle budget 2019-2022 and detailed budget for 2019
9.7 Vote on approval of the cycle budget 2019-2022, and of the detailed budget for 2019MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018 5
10. Vote on proposals for amendments to the FIFA Statutes, the Regulations Governing the Application
of the Statutes and the Standing Orders of the Congress
10.1 FIFA Statutes
10.2 Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes
10.3 Standing Orders of the Congress
11. Election or dismissal of the members of the judicial bodies, the Audit and Compliance Committee,
and the Governance Committee
12. Discussion of proposals submitted by the member associations and the Council within the period
stipulated in art. 28 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes
12.1 Proposal by the Palestinian Football Association to amend art. 3 of the FIFA Statutes
12.2 Proposal by the Argentinian Football Association, Bolivian Football Association, Brazilian
Football Association, Chilean Football Association, Colombian Football Association,
Ecuadorian Football Association, Paraguayan Football Association, Peruvian Football
Association, Uruguayan Football Association and Venezuelan Football Association to carry
out a feasibility study on the increase of the number of teams from 32 to 48 in the 2022 FIFA
World Cup Qatar™
13. Vote on the designation of the host association(s) for the final competition of the
2026 FIFA World Cup™
14. Next Congress: 69th FIFA Congress in Paris on 5 June 2019
15. President’s closing remarks6 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
PRESENT
1. FIFA Council
President – Mariano Araneta Jr. (Philippines)
– Gianni Infantino (Switzerland/Italy) – Chung Mong-gyu (Korea Republic)
– Zhang Jian (China PR)
Senior Vice-President – Alexey Sorokin (Russia)
– Shk. Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa (Bahrain) – Fernando Gomes (Portugal)
– Georgios Koumas (Cyprus)
Vice-Presidents
– David Gill (England) Secretary General
– Alejandro Domínguez (Paraguay) – Fatma Samoura (Senegal)
– Vittorio Montagliani (Canada)
– Aleksander Čeferin (Slovenia)
– Ahmad (Madagascar) 2. Guests of honour
– Sándor Csányi (Hungary)
– Lambert Maltock (Vanuatu) – President of the Russian Federation,
Vladimir Putin
Members
– Hany Abo Rida (Egypt) Honorary Members
– Sunil Gulati (USA) – Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia)
– Lydia Nsekera (Burundi) – Michel D’Hooghe (Belgium)
– Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia) – Şenes Erzik (Turkey)
– Constant Omari (Congo DR) – Marios Lefkaritis (Cyprus)
– HRH Prince Abdullah (Malaysia)
– Kohzo Tashima (Japan)
– Sonia Bien-Aime (Turks and Caicos Islands)
– Fernando Sarney (Brazil)
– Pedro Chaluja (Panama)
– Luis Hernández (Cuba)
– María Sol Muñoz Altamirano (Ecuador)
– Wilmar Valdez (Uruguay)
– Evelina Christillin (Italy)
– Sandra Fruean (American Samoa)
– Lee Harmon (Cook Islands)
– Almamy Kabele Camara (Guinea)
– Ramón Jesurún (Colombia)
– Reinhard Grindel (Germany)
– Dejan Savićević (Montenegro)
– Mahfuza Akhter Kiron (Bangladesh)MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018 7 3. Representatives from the confederations AFC UEFA – Windsor Paul John – Theodore Theodoridis – Ravi Kumar – Giorgio Marchetti – Benoît Pasquier – Emilio García Silvero – Vahid Kardany – Zoran Laković – Fahad Al Raisi – Kevin Lamour CAF – Amr Fahmy 4. Excused – Djibrine Adoum None – Kalusha Bwalya – Leodegar Tenga – Essadik Alaoui Concacaf – Philippe Moggio – Jürgen Mainka – Marco Leal – Alejandro Lesende – Guilherme Carvalho CONMEBOL – José Astigarraga – Laureano González – Arturo Salah – Robert Harrison – César Salinas OFC – Franck Castillo – William Lai – Frédéric Guillemont – Scott Moran – Gloria Pater
8 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
68th FIFA CONGRESS
Expocentre, Moscow, Russia, 13 June 2018 – 09:00-14:00
The President greeted the delegates on the occasion In memoriam
of the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow before asking The President then led a minute’s silence in tribute
the Secretary General to test the electronic voting to the members of the global football family who
system. had sadly passed away since the 67th FIFA Congress
in Manama:
– Horace Burrell (Jamaica)
1. Welcome – Pertti Alaja (Finland)
– Costakis Koutsokoumnis (Cyprus)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino – Fadil Vokrri (Kosovo)
FIFA President Gianno Infantino opened the – Hussein Ali Abdulle (Somalia)
68th FIFA Congress by welcoming the delegates, – Raúl Córdoba (Mexico)
presidents, general secretaries, Council members, – Noel Kinsey (Wales)
vice-presidents, Partners, Legends, special guests – Victims of a stampede in Honduras
and observers, before extending a special welcome – Josef “Beppo” Mauhart (Austria)
to new FIFA Vice-President Lambert Maltock, who – Todor “Toza” Veselinović (Serbia)
had been elected as OFC President on 11 June. He – Recep Adanır (Turkey)
also congratulated CAF on winning the Congress – Robert Hammond (Ghana)
Football Tournament the day before the Congress. – Ronnie Cocks (Malta)
Looking ahead to the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, – Volodymyr Dudarenko (Ukraine)
he said that the tournament would be held in a – Stefano Farina (Italy)
beautiful country that had famously never been – Bogdan Dochev (Bulgaria)
conquered before, but this would change very – Giuliano Sarti (Italy)
soon as football was all set to conquer Russia as – Andrés Felipe Enríque Muñoz (Colombia)
well as the world. He then expressed his gratitude – Jacques Foix (France)
to Russia, President of the Russian Federation – Cheick Tioté (Côte d’Ivoire)
Vladimir Putin, the Russian government, the – Victims of a military plane crash in Myanmar
Local Organising Committee, the Football Union – Karl-Heinz Weigang (Germany)
of Russia, the more than 15,000 volunteers and – Tony DiCicco (USA)
the more than 150 million citizens of Russia for – Marcos Coll (Colombia)
welcoming the world to a beautiful celebration – Jan Notermans (Netherlands)
of football. After congratulating the 32 teams on – Hein Verbruggen (Netherlands)
qualifying, he mentioned the presence of many – Frode Larsen (Norway)
FIFA Legends at the Congress and said that they – Kelechi Emeteole (Nigeria)
knew all too well the power and ability of the – Stéphane Paille (France)
World Cup to trigger emotions among billions of – Ayan Sadakov (Bulgaria)
people around the world. He stressed, however, – John McKenzie (Scotland)
that major events such as the World Cup were – Tonny van der Linden (Netherlands)
only made possible by the hard work, day in, day – Louis Nicollin (France)
out, of all of those who were in attendance at the – Ibra Agbo (Equatorial Guinea)
Congress, with development programmes standing – Heinz Schneiter (Switzerland)
at the very heart of that work. – José Mourinho Félix (Portugal)MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018 9
– László Kovács (Hungary) – Pierre Hanon (Belgium)
– Heinz Siebert (Germany) – Choirul Huda (Indonesia)
– Victims of a stampede in Lilongwe, Malawi – Marino Perani (Italy)
– Silvia Nooij (Netherlands) – Ian McLeod (South Africa)
– Chuck Blazer (USA) – Manuel Sanchís Martínez (Spain)
– Francine Lockington (Fiji) – Miguel Loayza (Peru)
– David Ausseil (France) – Abdoulaye Soulama (Burkina Faso)
– Roy Richards – Eugène Parlier (Switzerland)
(Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) – Feliciano Rivilla (Spain)
– Victims of a stampede in Dakar, Senegal – Marvin Rodríguez (Costa Rica)
– Marcel Kunz (Switzerland) – Ebrahim Ashtiani (IR Iran)
– Abdelmajid Dolmy (Morocco) – Hans Kraay Sr (Netherlands)
– Bradley Lowery (England) – Abubakari Yakubu (Ghana)
– Anas Subeh (Egypt) – Joël Lobanzo (Belgium)
– Josef Hamerl (Austria) – Akbar Eftekhari (IR Iran)
– Waldir Peres (Brazil) – Sâa Fabert Tolno Tessema (Guinea)
– Ovidio Messa (Bolivia) – Timothy Ayiekoh (Uganda)
– Les Murray (Australia) – Amar Rouaï (Algeria)
– Tor Røste Fossen (Norway) – Hamad Ndikumana (Rwanda)
– Victims of the terrorist attack in Barcelona, – Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi (India)
Spain – Ángel Berni (Paraguay)
– Perivaldo Dantas (Brazil) – Hans Schäfer (Germany)
– Ely Tacchella (Switzerland) – Santiago Vernazza (Argentina)
– Rudolf Bat’a (Czech Republic) – Commins Menapi (Solomon Islands)
– Osman Jama Diraa (Somalia) – Janusz Wójcik (Poland)
– Valeri Maslov (Russia) – Luis Garisto (Uruguay)
– Victims of a stampede in Johannesburg, – Gregory Rigters (Suriname)
South Africa – Benjamin Massing (Cameroon)
– Joe Cilia (Malta) – Osvaldo Fattori (Italy)
– Victims of a mudslide in Sierra Leone – Henning Jansen (Denmark)
– Jarek Engelbrecht (Poland) – Ivan Stoyanov (Bulgaria)
– Ababacar Diop “Bouba Diakhao” (Senegal) – Stanisław Terlecki (Poland)
– Piet Ouderland (Netherlands) – Ali Kadhim (Iraq)
– Eugenio Bersellini (Italy) – Zdenĕk Šreiner (Czech Republic)
– Ahmed Khan (India) – Jacques Simon (France)
– Haile Ghebremichael (Eritrea) – Izzy Dezu (Republic of Ireland)
– Etienne Farah Kamano (Guinea) – Sean McCaffrey (Republic of Ireland)
– Richard Boucher (France) – Régis Manon (Gabon)
– Elmer Acevedo (El Salvador) – Antonio Valentín Angelillo (Argentina/Italy)
– Nicolae Lupescu (Romania) – Juan Carlos García (Honduras)
– Jean Plaskie (Belgium) – Pierre Grillet (France)
– Paul Wilson (Scotland) – Hans Aabech (Denmark)
– Aleksei Arifullin (Russia) – Calan Vanterpool (Anguilla)
– Georges Griffiths (Côte d’Ivoire) – Takis Loukanidis (Greece)
– József Tóth (Hungary) – Victor Gamedze (Swaziland)
– Željko Perušić (Croatia) – Naby Laye Camara (Guinea)
– Roberto Anzolin (Italy) – Antonio Munguía (Mexico)
– Cho Jin-ho (Korea Republic) – Tommy Lawrence (Scotland)
– Hernán Silva (Chile) – Hamid El Hazzaz (Morocco)
– Poul Hyldgaard (Denmark) – Cyrille Regis (England)
– Gunnar Thoresen (Norway) – Philippe Gondet (France)
– Vittorio Mormando (Italy) – Göran “Pisa” Nicklasson (Sweden)10 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
– Károly Palotai (Hungary) – Mohamed Sbaï (Mauritania)
– Jimmy Armfield (England) – Kostas Polychroniou (Greece)
– Azeglio Vicini (Italy) – Walter Eich (Switzerland)
– Majid Ariff (Singapore) – Abdoulaye Sogue (Mauritania)
– Liam Miller (Republic of Ireland) – Francis Smerecki (France)
– Tsukasa Hosaka (Japan) – Jutta Nardenbach (Germany)
– Reinier Kreijermaat (Netherlands)
– Jacques Lionel Désir (Haiti)
– Ladislav Kačáni (Slovakia) 2. Roll call and declaration that the Congress has
– Manchester United delegation been convened and composed in compliance
(1958, pro memoria) with the Statutes
– Hans Rinner (Austria) The Secretary General proceeded to call the roll in
– Georgi Markov (Bulgaria) English alphabetical order.
– Tsvetan Veselinov (Bulgaria)
– Chinedu Udoji (Nigeria) A total of 210 members were present – only Ghana
– Lucien Bouchardeau (Niger) was absent – and all 210 member associations
– Enrique Castro González “Quini” (Spain) present at the Congress were entitled to vote.
– Ion Voinescu (Romania)
– Joseph Bonnell (France) The Secretary General declared that the Congress
– Pavel Panov (Bulgaria) had been convened and composed in compliance
– Chow Chee Keong (Malaysia) with the FIFA Statutes.
– Davide Astori (Italy)
– Samir Zaher (Egypt)
– Elie Onana (Cameroon) 3. Appointment of scrutineers and of five
– María Elena Valverde (Costa Rica) members to check the minutes
– Henri Michel (France) Angola, Aruba and Estonia were proposed to serve
– Nicolae Tilihoi (Romania) as scrutineers to examine the functioning of the
– Ray Wilkins (England) electronic voting system and to sign the protocol.
– Roy Bentley (England) Cook Islands, Ecuador, El Salvador, Gibraltar, India,
– Golam Hafiz (Bangladesh) Lebanon, Sudan and Tahiti were proposed to serve
– Rubén Galván (Argentina) as scrutineers to count the voting by a show of
– Emiliano Mondonico (Italy) hands. The Bahamas, Germany, Hong Kong, Niger
– Noël Lerond (France) and Paraguay were proposed to check the Congress
– Vladimír Weiss (Slovakia) minutes.
– Bjørn Hansen (Norway)
– Ray Wilson (England) These proposals were put to the vote and approved
– Zambian national team, FAZ delegation with the following result:
(1993, pro memoria)
– Lorenzo “Rotto” Isidore (St Lucia) 201 valid votes cast
– Yoshinobu Ishii (Japan) 201 votes in favour
– Jack Chamangwana (Malawi) 0 votes against
– Omar Daoud (Libya)
– Hugo Guerra (Uruguay) The three scrutineers for the electronic voting system
– Abdoulaye Doumbouya (Guinea) were then asked to proceed to the e-voting table.
– Mani Shah (Nepal)
– Jlloyd Samuel (Trinidad and Tobago)
– José Luis López Serrano (Spain) 4. Suspension or expulsion of a member
– Mohammed Houmane Jarir (Morocco) The President confirmed that there were no
– Ibrahima Sow (Mauritania) suspended members and no members for whom
– Doğan Babacan (Turkey) expulsion would be requested, and said that this
– Roger Piantoni (France) positive news was a reflection of all of the hard work
– Alejandro Peñaranda (Colombia) that had been accomplished over the past year.MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018 11
5. Approval of the agenda World Cup™. It went without saying that FIFA had to
The agenda for the 68th FIFA Congress was put to the respect its own rules and be transparent, accountable
vote and approved with the following result: and careful, and that all of FIFA’s good work did not
always hit the headlines, unless something went
199 valid votes cast wrong, but overall there should be a sense of pride
197 votes in favour in all that had been achieved to make FIFA such an
2 votes against open and democratic organisation.
He had travelled the world as FIFA President,
6. Approval of minutes particularly for the Executive Football Summits,
The proposal to approve the minutes of the 67th FIFA listening to people’s concerns and plans, and
Congress, held in Manama, Bahrain, on 11 May 2017 sharing experiences as part of his determination
and approved by the scrutineers, Austria, Djibouti, to ensure that each member association had two
Dominican Republic, England and Swaziland, was voices – one to vote, and the other to speak up.
put to the vote and approved with the following Under his presidency, FIFA had shown that it was a
result: modern organisation, as evidenced by the decision
to use video assistant referees at the 2018 World
199 valid votes cast Cup following a thorough and inclusive trial phase
199 votes in favour that had begun in March 2016. The time had come
0 votes against to give referees more help on the pitch, and he had
no doubt that VAR would be a success.
7. President’s address He was also proud to say that his election motto,
Opening his address, President Infantino said that with which he had pledged to bring football back to
it was a pleasure to stand before the Congress over FIFA and FIFA back to football, had become reality.
two years since his election. Looking back, he was Under his administration, FIFA had introduced
able to say that those two years had been full of the Forward Programme, which had increased
hard work and commitment, not only on a personal investment in football fourfold from USD 350m
level, but by everyone. On the day of his election, over a four-year period to USD 1.4 billion, and in
26 February 2016, FIFA as an organisation had the past two years alone, FIFA had received 1,800
been clinically dead but now it was alive and full development applications, whereas in the previous
of joy with a vision for the future. He had been 20 years, this figure had stood at nearly 700. All
elected on the basis of a programme that he had of this meant greater levels of scrutiny, not only
been implementing since his election. The good for FIFA, but for its member associations and the
governance reforms that FIFA had introduced had confederations in the form of central reviews.
been vital in reaching the current state of affairs
and in ensuring that FIFA was now in good shape. FIFA had also been working hard to take the game
These reforms had also been instrumental in FIFA’s itself to even greater heights, not only with the
renaissance as an organisation, with FIFA having introduction of VAR, but also by increasing the
introduced term limits and appointing independent number of teams at the World Cup to 48 as of
committee members for the first time, for example the 2026 edition, giving even more teams access
on the Finance Committee and the Development to a competition that was immensely powerful in
Committee, with persons of the highest integrity developing the game. FIFA had also focused on
elected. FIFA had also put in place a new structure, developing youth football and the women’s game,
which included a new Compliance Division, and had with the potential introduction of the Women’s
ensured that there was absolute transparency in its World League, and was now also working on
financial figures. Furthermore, there was a system revamping the transfer system to provide more
of eligibility checks, which every FIFA committee transparency and to protect players and training
member had to pass. In other steps, FIFA had clubs the world over.
published the Garcia Report, which had been kept
under wraps for years, and had put in place a solid Furthermore, FIFA had been brought back into touch
and transparent bidding process for the 2026 FIFA with its main stakeholders, the players, through the12 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
Legends Programme, which ensured that football opening match and the final, and noting that the
idols now work more closely with the governing high-tech Saint Petersburg Stadium, which had a
body. In addition, FIFA had worked hard in the areas retractable pitch and roof, would also host seven
of human rights, diversity and integration, both in matches including a semi-final and the match
its administration and at management level, which for third place. He stressed, however, that all 12
was headed by a Secretary General from Africa. stadiums were spectacular venues and that they all
met the requirements for hosting such an event.
After two years as President, he was proud to say After confirming that most of the 32 participating
that FIFA’s financial figures were now in robust teams were already on Russian soil and that all of
health, ensuring that football development work the Team Base Camps were ready for action, he
could be carried out. He briefly touched upon the was happy to report that the feedback received so
financial figures that would be presented later at far had been very positive. He then presented an
the Congress, explaining that the revenue projected overview of some of the key facts and figures on
for the end of the 2015-2018 cycle no longer stood the operational side of tournament, saying that a
at USD 5 billion but at USD 6.1 billion, and all this total of 207 visits had been organised as part of
in spite of the worst crisis in FIFA’s history. He was the selection process for the Team Base Camps, and
in no doubt that the future would be even brighter, outlining some key transportation details such as
because money invested in football would always the fact that were now 11 renovated air terminals
be money well invested. As such, as stated in the as well as several new metro stations and new roads
Financial Report, FIFA Forward funds would be linking city centres and the airports. During the
increased by 20% in the next cycle, meaning that tournament, there would be 236 team flights and
each member association would receive USD 6m more than 1,300 vehicles in operation as part of the
instead of USD 5m over a four-year period. Overall, ground transportation concept. He also provided
FIFA had achieved a great deal in his two years as information on the scale of the accommodation
President, but there was still more to come. concept, with 365 hotels under contract and
39,000 rooms reserved, and confirmed that the
A video highlighting the achievements of the Russia 2018 security concept was fully compliant
12 months since the last FIFA Congress was then with the government’s guarantee, with security
shown. to be enforced at more than 170 tournament
venues. He also briefly touched upon the volunteer
programme, saying that more than 176,000 people
8. Activity Report had applied to be volunteers, from which 17,000
8.1 Activity Report had been selected to work with the 18,000 host city
The Activity Report 2017, which had been volunteers to help make the tournament a success.
distributed in advance, was then put to the vote Ticketholders would also be able to benefit from
and approved with the following result: the visa-free entry policy as well as from free rail
travel and public transport on matchdays, and there
200 valid votes cast would also be a FIFA Fan Fest in all 11 host cities.
198 votes in favour In summary, he said that seven years of hard work
2 votes against involving thousands of people had now drawn to a
close, and the time had now come for everyone to
8.2 FIFA World Cup™ enjoy an unforgettable World Cup in Russia.
Alexey Sorokin, a member of the FIFA Council and
the CEO of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Local 8.3 Next FIFA events
Organising Committee, welcomed the delegates to The President gave a brief overview of the upcoming
his hometown and said that he was delighted to FIFA events and competitions, saying that The Best
report that Russia was ready to write a new page FIFA Football Awards™ would take place in London
in the history of the World Cup. He gave a brief in September. In terms of competitions, the FIFA
overview of the 12 stadiums that would host the U-20 Women’s World Cup would take centre stage
tournament, explaining that the Luzhniki Stadium in France in August ahead of the Youth Olympic
in Moscow was at the heart of the Russian concept Futsal Tournaments in Buenos Aires in October. Two
and would host seven matches, including the more FIFA tournaments – the FIFA U-17 World CupMINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018 13
Uruguay 2018 and the FIFA Club World Cup UAE expenses for 2017 had been 16% below budget.
2018 – would be held in November and December Investment in football activities, meanwhile,
to round off the year before attention turned to accounted for 78% of FIFA’s total expenses, and the
2019’s main event, the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, financial situation and reserves of the governing
in France from 7 June to 7 July. body were very solid as reserves stood at 54% above
budget. Finally, the overall outlook for the full
2015-2018 cycle was very promising as 98% of FIFA’s
9. Finance and governance revenue target had already been contracted by the
Finance Committee chairman Alejandro Domínguez end of 2017, a figure that had only continued to
said that he was proud to present some facts and grow in 2018 as FIFA had now achieved 108% of its
figures on the results of FIFA’s recent financial full-cycle revenue budget.
management because, as the President had
already mentioned, FIFA was in robust financial Moving on to the 2017 consolidated statement
health. Despite some dire prognostications about of comprehensive income, Thomas Peyer noted
a financial crisis for FIFA, thanks to the work that that FIFA had recorded revenue – primarily from
had started two years ago, the governing body TV broadcasting rights and marketing rights – of
had posted some historic figures. Instead of the USD 734 million, an increase of USD 120 million
projected USD 1.4 billion in marketing rights, FIFA compared to the budget, which was mainly due
had hit the figure of USD 1.75 billion. The same to licensing rights. Expenses had amounted to
was true in the area of TV broadcasting rights, with USD 923 million, which was USD 180 million below
the forecast figure of USD 3 billion having been budget, and all of this when taken together equated
increased to USD 3.7 billion. In terms of ticketing to a pre-tax result of USD -189 million, which was
and other revenue, the forecast result had also an improvement of USD 300 million compared
been improved upon, rising from USD 1.2 billion to the budget. After inclusion of USD 3 million
to USD 1.4 billion. Furthermore, FIFA had a cash in taxes and financial result, FIFA’s net result for
reserve portfolio of USD 3.8 billion, and although 2017 had been USD -192 million. To explain the
FIFA had originally budgeted for commercial revenue figures in greater detail, he said that most
revenue of USD 5.5 billion, the forecast now stood of the governing body’s revenue had come from
at USD 6.1 billion. In summary, the facts and figures TV broadcasting rights (31%), marketing rights
made it clear that FIFA’s management had restored (33%) and licensing rights (22%), whereas in terms
confidence in the governing body. of expenses, 24% had been spent on competitions
and events with a further 52% on development and
9.1 Consolidated financial statements for 2017 education, and another 18% on FIFA governance
Chief Finance Officer Thomas Peyer addressed the and administration. He also noted that 2017 had
Congress to explain the consolidated financial been a positive year in terms of cash generation,
statements for 2017, which had been prepared in with USD 479 million generated by FIFA’s operating
accordance with International Financial Reporting activities. This figure, and more, had been invested
Standards. The statements had been approved by into financial assets (USD 550 million), with the
the Audit and Compliance Committee, the Finance overall result being that FIFA had a similar cash
Committee and the Council, and had been audited by balance at the end of 2017 (USD 953 million) as it
PricewaterhouseCoopers. The FIFA Financial Report had at the end of 2016 (USD 1,010 million). FIFA
2017, which all member associations had received in also had total assets of USD 4.4 billion, including
advance of the Congress, had documented a number USD 2.9 billion in cash and financial assets, at the
of improvements in terms of transparency, and no end of 2017. In this regard, he noted that FIFA had
member associations had submitted questions on USD 2.9 billion in cash and financial assets at the
the report for discussion at Congress. He stressed end of 2017, as compared to the USD 3.8 billion FIFA
that the work that had been done in the preceding had on the day of the Congress. In terms of reserves,
18 months had been successful, with FIFA recording FIFA had USD 930 million at the end of 2017, again
revenue that was 20% over budget. Furthermore, a significant increase on the figure in the budget.
the FIFA administration had focused on reducing its He summed up by saying that FIFA’s balance sheet
own expenses to free up more funds for investment was healthy and sustainable with strong liquidity
in football development work, and as such the and sufficient reserves.14 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
Finally, he said that the financial outlook for the appropriateness and application of the revenue
full cycle remained promising, explaining that the recognition policy, and accounting for the financial
2016 FIFA Congress had approved a revenue budget implications of ongoing investigations by Swiss and US
of USD 5,656 million and an investment/expenses authorities and other legal cases. He then confirmed
budget of USD 5,556 million for a pre-tax result of that the FIFA consolidated financial statements gave
USD 100 million. However, revenue had developed a true and fair view of the consolidated financial
well and FIFA had now contracted more than USD position as at 31 December 2017, of the consolidated
6 billion in revenue, 108% of the budgeted figure, financial performance, and of the consolidated cash
which represented the highest level of revenue flows for 2017, that they were in accordance with
in FIFA’s history. As FIFA also expected costs to International Financial Reporting Standards, and
remain within budget, it was to be expected that that they complied with Swiss law.
FIFA would exceed its forecast pre-tax result for the
full cycle. In addition, FIFA’s strong level of reserves Similarly, he confirmed that the statutory financial
enabled the governing body to plan for the future statements for 2017 also complied with Swiss law
development of the game and to cover financial and the association’s articles of incorporation. On
risks, and as such, he was pleased to report that FIFA the basis of the audit report, PwC recommended
believed that its reserves would reach new heights that FIFA’s consolidated financial statements
by the end of 2018 at USD 1,653 million. and statutory financial statements for 2017 be
approved.
9.2 FIFA statutory financial statements for 2017 9.4 Report by the chairman of the FIFA Audit and
Thomas Peyer explained that the statutory financial Compliance Committee
statements refer to FIFA as an association, and Tomaž Vesel said that, with two years having
that the Council was responsible for preparing the passed since the Congress had voted in favour
statements in accordance with Swiss law and the FIFA of reforms, it was now possible to evaluate the
Statutes. The statutory financial statements were effects of those reforms on FIFA’s operations. In
reported in Swiss francs (CHF). He reported that, that time, the Audit and Compliance Committee
in 2017, FIFA reported a profit of CHF 8.1 million had played an important role in reviewing the
and had equity of CHF 91 million. FIFA’s reserves for majority of procedures and verifying the existence
statutory obligations stood at CHF 875 million. of strategic and operational guidance. He then
highlighted some of the key changes that FIFA had
The President closed this agenda item by reiterating made in terms of compliance, such as adopting
that FIFA had never recorded such high revenue all necessary regulations and policies, launching
before, and by underlining again that FIFA also the risk assessment process with all key FIFA
expected its reserves to continue to increase to departments, the consistent implementation of
unprecedented heights. the compliance programme, and the creation of
an internal audit function. Furthermore, it had also
9.3 Auditors’ report to the Congress been vital to ensure good cooperation with the
Patrick Balkanyi of PricewaterhouseCoopers statutory auditor, and to follow up on the auditor’s
presented the results of his company’s audit for main recommendations.
2017, explaining that there were two sets of
accounts – the consolidated financial statements, Over the past year, FIFA had focused on helping its
and the standalone (statutory) financial statements. member associations comply with its regulations
He noted that his company’s audit opinion on the and, together with the oversight of the Audit and
former had been published on pages 113 to 122 Compliance Committee, would continue to assist
of the FIFA Financial Report 2017, and as such he its members by providing the necessary expertise
summarised the key facts. He said that the overall to help improve their controls and by helping them
group materiality was based on 1% of the total to continue developing football. As such, one of
expenses, and that the scope of his company’s work the committee’s main duties was to oversee the
had, for example, covered 99.7% of the revenue. proper use of development funds, as part of which
He explained the three key audit matters for the all member associations would undergo a central
financial year of 2017 – addressing fraud risk, the review in 2018.MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018 15
He also underlined the role of the committee in As the budgeted revenue had increased for 2019-
safeguarding the integrity of various areas of 2022, so too would the expenses budget, which
FIFA, from the bidding process for the FIFA World would rise by 16% to a total of USD 6,460 million. He
Cup™ to defining a compensation policy. Finally, stressed that some of the strategic initiatives outlined
he stressed the improvements that had been made in FIFA 2.0, such as digital marketing, e-Sports, and
in terms of disclosure of compensation within the technical development, had been included in the
Governance Report, and said that the committee budget. Furthermore, various strategic activities
members would continue to support the ongoing would be insourced over the upcoming cycle, as a
FIFA reforms. As part of their work, they had result of which FIFA would employ more staff over
reviewed the 2017 Financial Report and noted that the next two years. Most importantly, however,
the statutory audit report met the independence the budget for the FIFA Forward Programme
criteria stipulated in the FIFA Statutes, and as would be increased by USD 667 million to a total of
such, the Audit and Compliance Committee USD 1.746 billion, which meant that investment in
recommended that the reports be approved by development and education would increase by 41%
the Congress. compared to the 2015-2018 cycle. Looking more
closely at Forward, he said that the programme
9.5 Vote on approval of the consolidated financial would account for 75% of the total budget for
statements for 2017 and of the FIFA statutory development and education, with USD 1.266 billion
financial statements for 2017 to be attributed to member associations, and each
The consolidated financial statements for 2017 and member association receiving USD 1.5 million per
the FIFA statutory financial statements for 2017 year, an increase from the current USD 1.25 million,
were then put to the vote and approved with the meaning that each member association would
following result: receive a total of USD 6 million over the 2019-2022
cycle. A total of USD 288 million would be paid
203 valid votes cast out to the six confederations, and the funds for
202 votes in favour regional/zonal associations and travel/equipment
1 vote against costs would also increase, from USD 107 million
to USD 192 million. He concluded his presentation
9.6 Cycle budget 2019-2022 and detailed budget on the full-cycle budget by saying that FIFA was
for 2019 anticipating strong revenues in the next cycle,
Thomas Peyer said that the budgets had been which would allow the governing body to invest
drawn up in accordance with the FIFA Statutes, and even more in football development, and that in
were aligned with the FIFA 2.0 vision. The Finance line with the FIFA Statutes, the budget showed a
Committee had presented them for approval to balanced result for the 2019-2022 cycle.
the Council, and had obtained such approval. He
began by saying that FIFA was forecasting that Moving on to the detailed budget for 2019,
revenue for the upcoming four-year cycle would he explained that FIFA had a revenue budget
grow to USD 6,560 million, 70% of which had of USD 722 million and an expenses budget of
already been contracted, and that the budget for USD 1,226 million. Revenue recognition under
expenses would be USD 6,460 million, 80% of which International Financial Reporting Standards,
would be invested in football activities, leaving a however, meant that most revenue would be
pre-tax result of USD 100 million. Consequently, recognised in the final year of the cycle, whereas
FIFA also expected its reserves to slightly increase expenses were distributed more evenly over the
until the end of the cycle in 2022. The rise in four-year cycle. Consequently, FIFA invariably
revenue compared to the 2015-2018 cycle was posted negative results in the first three years
primarily due to increased income from TV of a cycle, and a positive result in the final year.
broadcasting and marketing rights, the former Therefore, FIFA was budgeting for a pre-tax result
accounting for 53% of FIFA’s total revenue budget of USD -504 million in 2019. A detailed breakdown
and the latter for a further 29%. The remaining of the expenses in 2019 showed that 76% would be
18% of revenue came from licensing rights (7%), spent on football activities, with USD 319 million
hospitality rights and ticket sales (8%), and attributed to competitions and events, and
others (3%). USD 579 million on development and education.16 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
The main investments in 2019 would be the FIFA to the next level, encouraging people to exploit their
Women’s World Cup 2019™ in France, and the FIFA true potential, to learn new things and to make new
Forward Programme. friends from other countries. Russia was prepared for
all that the World Cup would bring, and would ensure
The President noted that all of this information had that all visitors to the country left with a positive
been sent to the members ahead of the Congress, impression having experienced Russia’s hospitality
and as no questions had been received, it was and become acquainted with the country’s culture.
to be assumed that all of the information was After expressing his hope that people would wish
sufficiently clear. He closed by reiterating that close to return to Russia again in the future, he wished
to USD 1.75 billion would be invested in Forward in the Congress delegates fruitful deliberations and
the upcoming cycle. welcomed everyone to Russia.
9.7 Vote on approval of the cycle budget 2019- President Infantino, speaking on behalf of the global
2022, and of the detailed budget for 2019 football family, expressed his deepest gratitude to
The cycle budget for 2019-2022 and the detailed President Putin for his commitment, as well as to the
budget for 2019 were then put to the vote and Russian government, the LOC, the Football Union
approved with the following result: of Russia, all of the volunteers and the more than
150 million Russian people for having welcomed
205 valid votes cast the world to Russia.
203 votes in favour
2 votes against
10. Vote on proposals for amendments to the
A video on the Forward Programme was then FIFA Statutes, the Regulations Governing the
shown. Application of the Statutes and the Standing
Orders of the Congress
The President then announced that Vladimir Putin, 10.1 FIFA Statutes
the President of the Russian Federation, would 10.2 Regulations Governing the Application of
address the Congress. the Statutes
10.3 Standing Orders of the Congress
Vladimir Putin began his address by saying that, with
the World Cup just hours away, it was time to reflect on Marco Villiger explained that recent experiences
the path that everyone had embarked upon together during the FIFA reform process had shown that the
to reach this point. Although the responsibility for Statutes required further revision, and that to this
organising a vibrant festival of football lay with the end, a Task Force – consisting of one representative
host country, Russia had still needed the support of of each confederation, the chairman of the Audit
many specialists from the global football family. He and Compliance Committee and the chairman of the
expressed his delight that the family had gathered Governance Committee – had drafted the revised
in the host country on the eve of the World Cup, version of the Statutes that was being submitted for
giving Russia the opportunity to thank everyone for Congress ratification. He then presented the main
their assistance and support over the past seven years amendments as follows:
in helping to ensure that Russia 2018 would be an
unforgettable and magnificent event for all. He paid Art. 4 – explicit statement that, where possible, FIFA
a special tribute to President Infantino, highlighting remains neutral in matters of politics and religion
his commitment to football as well as his values and
principles, which had stood him in good stead during Art. 25 – member associations to be notified at least
difficult times for FIFA. Moving on to the tournament, four months in advance of the place and date of
he said that Russia 2018 was of great significance for each ordinary FIFA Congress
the entire country, and that the dream of so many
fans had finally come true. Fans would be descending Art. 27 – candidatures for the FIFA Council
upon Russia from all over the world to experience and –Candidatures to be presented to the
share the World Cup atmosphere. He noted that FIFA relevant confederation three months
was committed to development and taking the game before the confederation congress;MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018 17
–
Confederation to then notify the FIFA Cup. Furthermore, he noted that the lack of training
general secretariat and provide evidence compensation and solidarity mechanism payments
of timely submission of candidatures. in the women’s game would also make it difficult
to increase participation in the women’s game, and
Art. 40 par. 5, art. 51 par. 8 – all committee members that the introduction of such payments would make
to submit a yearly related-party declaration to it clear that FIFA would always reward education
either the Audit and Compliance Committee or the and training, irrespective of gender. Nevertheless,
investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee the Swedish FA had no reservations regarding the
proposed adoption of the amendments to the FIFA
Arts 43 and 44 – matters relating to futsal and Statutes.
beach soccer to be dealt with by the Organising
Committee for FIFA Competitions instead of by the The President thanked Karl-Erik Nilsson for his
Football Stakeholders Committee remarks, saying that they were certainly worthy of
consideration. The proposed amendments to the
Art. 46 par. 3 – Players’ Status Committee and Dispute Statutes were then put to the vote in their entirety,
Resolution Chamber to be allowed to pronounce with the following result:
sanctions listed in the Statutes and Regulations
on the Status and Transfer of Players on member 199 valid votes cast
associations, clubs, officials, players, intermediaries 197 votes in favour
and licensed match agents 2 votes against
Art. 52 par. 4 – the chairperson and deputy The President noted that, as the quorum of 75%
chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee, but not required for statutory amendments had been
the committee members, to fulfil the independence reached, the FIFA Statutes had therefore been
criteria defined in the FIFA Governance Regulations amended as proposed.
Art. 56 par. 2 – inclusion of a new disciplinary
measure for natural persons: compliance training 11. Election or dismissal of the members of the
judicial bodies, the Audit and Compliance
Marco Villiger also noted that further amendments of Committee, and the Governance Committee
a purely formal nature had been made to the Statutes, The President said that, as there were a number
all of which were outlined in the draft version of of vacant positions on committees, the following
the Statutes that the members had received, and candidates had been proposed by the Council for
confirmed that the FIFA Council recommended the terms of office ending in 2021:
adoption of all of the proposed amendments.
– Sundra Rajoo (Malaysia) – member of the
After asking to address the Congress, Karl-Erik adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee
Nilsson, the President of the Swedish FA, speaking on – Andrés Martín Patón Urich (Argentina) – member
behalf of his association, said that, given the fact that of the Appeal Committee
the word “gender” had been omitted from the title – Iain Binnie (Canada) – independent member of the
of the revised art. 4 of the FIFA Statutes, it was to be Governance Committee
hoped that this was purely an editorial amendment as – Steve Laigle (New Caledonia) – member of the
it was vital that FIFA and all member associations were Governance Committee
committed to gender equality. As part of FIFA’s work – Abdoulaye Diop (Mali) – independent member of
on gender equality, it was also important to address the Governance Committee
the issue of compensation for clubs, especially as the
payments to clubs that released players for the FIFA These proposed appointments were then put to the
World Cup™ had risen significantly, and although vote en bloc, and approved with the following result:
there were still no equivalent payments to clubs that
released players for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, 196 valid votes cast
the Swedish FA hoped that this situation would be 191 votes in favour
rectified for the 2019 edition of the Women’s World 5 votes against18 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
12. Discussion of proposals submitted by the campaigns for fair play, women’s football and
member associations and the Council within human rights, and expressed his hope that the
the period stipulated in art. 28 par. 1 of the Congress would support the proposal.
FIFA Statutes
In response, the President said that the Council
12.1 Proposal by the Palestinian Football had analysed the proposal and invited Fernando
Association to amend art. 3 of the FIFA Statutes Sarney to address the Congress in order to explain
the Council’s recommendation.
Jibril Rajoub, the President of the Palestinian Football
Association (PFA), addressed the Congress by saying Fernando Sarney began his speech by outlining the
that his association wished to broach a topic that he PFA proposal again, saying that the PFA believed
believed would receive universal support, namely that amending article 3 of the Statutes would send a
that of human rights. He reminded the Congress crystal-clear message that FIFA was fully committed
that, at the Extraordinary FIFA Congress in Zurich in to human rights. In this regard, however, he stressed
February 2016, the Palestinian Football Association that FIFA had already done more than it was
had expressed its concern with the amended FIFA legally required to do, as evidenced by the existing
Statutes, believing that they required a more in- provision in article 3, and as backed up by the FIFA
depth revision, and although the PFA’s statements Human Rights Policy, which had been adopted
had received significant support, it had not been by the FIFA Council in May 2017. Furthermore,
sufficient. However, those changes had been made FIFA’s human rights approach was based on the
two years ago, and the PFA still believed that further United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and
amendments were required, specifically to article 3, Human Rights, and the governing body had also
in order to help FIFA carry out its duty and respect commissioned a report by a leading human rights
its commitments as change could only be brought expert, Harvard Professor John Ruggie, and had
about step by step. Therefore, with the support begun to implement many of his recommendations.
of the Algerian Football Association and the Iraqi In addition, FIFA had introduced many initiatives
Football Association, the PFA wished to propose a and activities to further the promotion and
small but significant amendment to article 3 of the protection of human rights, notably in relation
FIFA Statutes in order to give enforceability to FIFA’s to the FIFA World Cup™ bidding process and
commitment to human rights, which in the three construction sites, anti-discrimination programmes,
associations’ opinion should be expressed more and steps to address human rights risks in supply
concretely within the FIFA Statutes. He stated that chains. He also noted that, in February 2017, FIFA
the FIFA Statutes contained deterrents for various had also set up the Human Rights Advisory Board
forms of misconduct but there was not a single to further underscore its commitment in this area,
deterrent for any form of human rights violations, and that FIFA was working on a memorandum of
which threatened to undermine FIFA’s commitment understanding with the Council of Europe to set
to human rights. Consequently, the PFA proposed out areas of cooperation – including the promotion
to amend article 3 of the FIFA Statutes to read as of human rights – between the two organisations.
follows [proposed new text in bold]:
He continued by saying that, in the light of all of
Art. 3 these steps and activities, FIFA’s activities in the
FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally area of human rights were exemplary and it was
recognised human rights and shall strive to promote already abundantly clear that the governing body
the protection of these rights among its members. was fully committed in this regard. Furthermore,
Failure to recognise, respect, protect, guarantee and FIFA’s Human Rights Policy specified FIFA’s human
defend human rights in accordance to international rights commitment, and it was a fact that an
standards as well as any violation of them is association’s constitution, which in FIFA’s case
strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension meant the Statutes, should lay down basic and
or expulsion. general provisions, which were then specified in
greater detail by further rules and regulations, as
Jibril Rajoub closed his address by stating that was already the case at FIFA with the Human Rights
all member associations were involved in various Policy. In terms of the PFA’s proposal to provide forMINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018 19
expulsion or suspension for violations of human The proposal to amend article 3 of the FIFA Statutes,
rights, he said that the Council believed that such a in accordance with the proposal submitted by the
proposal, if it were introduced, would raise various Palestinian Football Association and supported by
legal issues, particularly as the proposal was broad the Iraqi Football Association and the Algerian
and unspecific, did not specify the addressees of Football Association, was then put to the vote and
the various obligations, and did not lay down the rejected with the following result:
basic preconditions for imposing such sanctions.
Consequently, the Council was of the firm belief 191 valid votes cast
that the proposal did not comply with key Swiss 35 votes in favour
legal requirements such as transparency and 156 votes against
predictability. It also needed to be stressed that the
Human Rights Policy was a standard of conduct for 12.2 Proposal by the Argentinian Football
FIFA and all of its bodies and employees, and that Association, Bolivian Football Association, Brazilian
FIFA was already working with member associations Football Association, Chilean Football Association,
to further promote human rights. Finally, the Colombian Football Association, Ecuadorian
Disciplinary Code and the Code of Ethics provided Football Association, Paraguayan Football
FIFA with a solid legal framework to sanction Association, Peruvian Football Association,
discrimination and other unethical behaviour, and Uruguayan Football Association and Venezuelan
FIFA – as a private association – was not legally Football Association to carry out a feasibility study
obliged or even in a position to sanction possible on the increase of the number of teams from 32 to
human rights violations in general. Therefore, 48 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™
given all of the above explanations and concerns, The President noted that this proposal had been
not least regarding the legal situation, Fernando withdrawn by the ten CONMEBOL member
Sarney concluded his address by saying that the associations in order to allow the FIFA administration
FIFA Council was unanimous in asking the Congress to discuss the matter with Qatar. As such, there was
to reject the proposal to amend article 3 of the no requirement to vote on the proposal.
FIFA Statutes.
The President then announced that the Head of 13. Vote on the designation of the host
the PFA Legal Department, Gonzalo Boye Tuset, association(s) for the final competition of the
had asked to address the Congress on this agenda 2026 FIFA World Cup™
item. The President said that, following a long, thorough
and transparent process, FIFA was now happy to
Gonzalo Boye Tuset began his address by saying be presenting two bids to the Congress for a vote.
that, in the PFA’s opinion, the concept of human He expressed his gratitude to the two bidders
rights was much broader than discrimination. and to everyone who had been involved in the
Furthermore, he also pointed out that article 4 of bidding process, as part of which everything had
the FIFA Statutes already provided for the possibility been published, and the Congress would, for the
to expel or suspend associations for various forms of first time, have the opportunity to decide the host
discriminatory behaviour, and consequently the PFA association(s) of the World Cup after assessing all
did not see any reason why this possibility should elements of the bids. He then briefly outlined the
not also be included in article 3 for violations of proceedings, saying that he would first explain
human rights, which had to be a priority for FIFA. He the voting process before each bidder received
also stressed that the proposal was in line with Swiss 15 minutes to present their bid, after which the
law, particularly as Switzerland was also a signatory Secretary General would summarise the bidding
to the European Convention on Human Rights, and process and the bid evaluation report ahead
that the proposal was transparent and provided of the vote using the electronic voting system.
for predictability through the use of expulsion or Furthermore, he stressed that all votes would be
suspension. Consequently, he stressed that the PFA made public, and that, in response to numerous
firmly believed that its proposal should be adopted questions that FIFA had received, the decision on
by the Congress to allow FIFA to take a firm stance the host(s) would not have any impact on the
on human rights. number of slots allocated to each confederation,20 MINUTES – 68TH FIFA CONGRESS, MOSCOW 2018
which had already been decided and which four member associations having already submitted
included an additional half-slot for the host a bid?”
confederation.
He confirmed that the vote of each member
He then explained the procedure that would be association participating in the voting procedure
followed for the vote, noting that in accordance would be published on the screen at the Congress
with art. 69 par. 2 (d) of the FIFA Statutes, a simple as well as online at FIFA.com, and he concluded
majority (more than 50%) of the valid votes cast by noting that if a second ballot resulted in an
would be required for a decision, and that in equal number of votes for both the Morocco and
accordance with art. 11 par. 1 of the Standing the United bids, the bid that had received the
Orders of the Congress, any abstentions would be highest weighted average score in the technical
disregarded when calculating the simple majority. evaluation report would prevail. He then invited
In the first ballot, each member association the representatives of the United 2026 bid to make
would have three options from which to choose their presentation to the Congress.
– “United bid”, “Morocco bid” or “None of the
bids”. If either the United bid or the Morocco bid Opening the United 2026 presentation, Canada
obtained a simple majority, that bid would be player Alphonso Davies spoke about his background,
awarded the right to host the 2026 FIFA World saying that his parents had fled the civil war in
Cup™, however, if “None of the bids” obtained Liberia and that he had been born in a refugee camp
a simple majority, both the United and Morocco in Ghana. His family had then moved to Canada
bids would be rejected and the second phase of when he was five years old, and his team-mates
the bidding procedure would be launched to allow in his football team had welcomed him to their
all other FIFA member associations to submit a bid, country. Now 17, he was a member of the Canadian
but excluding the four member associations that national team and a proud Canadian citizen whose
had already submitted a bid. Similarly, if none dream was to play in a World Cup, possibly in his
of the three options obtained a simple majority, hometown of Edmonton, and he had no doubt that
and if the number of votes for “None of the bids” the people of North America would welcome the
was equal to the number of votes for the two world, just as they had him. Decio de María, the
other bids taken together, both the United and President of the Mexican FA, said that in his country,
Morocco bids would be rejected and the second football was not just a sport but a passion, part
phase of the bidding procedure would be initiated. of the country’s culture. He believed that hosting
However, if none of the three options obtained a the World Cup was a privilege for any country, and
simple majority, and if the number of votes for that his country would be humbled if chosen to
the Morocco and the United bids taken together host the 2026 edition. The three co-host countries
was higher than the number of votes for “None would welcome the world with open arms, offering
of the bids”, a second ballot would be conducted easy travel around the three diverse countries. He
involving both of the two bids. He also noted that reminded the Congress that, by 2026, it would be 32
the delegates of the four bidding associations years since Concacaf had last hosted the World Cup,
would not participate in the voting process and and that it was high time for the region to play host
neither would associations whose delegates were again under the motto of “Football for All”. Brianna
nationals of a country that a bidding association Pinto said that she had been playing football since
belonged to, before confirming that the following the age of three, and now, aged 18, she was a proud
question would be asked: member of the USA U-20 women’s national team,
which had given her the chance to experience new
“Do you want to award the right to host the 2026 cultures and countries through a shared love of the
FIFA World Cup™ final competition to the bid game, and she hoped that people would be able to
submitted by the Moroccan Football Association get to know the three bidding countries in 2026.
(“MOROCCO BID”), to the joint bid submitted by the Steven Reed, the President of the Canada Soccer
Canada Soccer Association, the Mexican Football Association, stressed that iconic, high-tech stadiums
Association and the US Soccer Federation (“UNITED in the three countries were already built and ready
BID”), or to none of them (“NONE OF THE BIDS”), for action, which would mean that the focus could
thus reopening the bidding process, excluding the be placed on other areas. He promised that theYou can also read
