Gianni Infantino will visit the Solomon Islands for the first time on Monday 14th August 2023, becoming the first FIFA President to visit the country where football is the national sport.
During his short visit to the capital, Infantino will witness the Solomon Power Iumi U-14 Championship at DC Park, a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister and FIFA President’s 11 taking on SIFF President’s 11 at Lawson Tama stadium to wrap up the day with an official dinner at Coral Seas resort.
As announced at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Congress on 19 July, Mr Infantino, who has already attended FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 matches in every host city in Aotearoa New Zealand, is visiting several member associations across the region.
This visit is to allow the FIFA President to see firsthand the projects supported by FIFA Forward, which is vital for football development in the region.
SIFF President Donald Marahare also confirmed the historic visit as preparations are underway to receive the football boss.
“Yes, I can confirm that the FIFA President Mr. Infantino will be visiting the country on August 14th,” Marahare confirms.
“This will be a historic visit to the country and particularly to football and preparations are going well for this event.
A good number of stakeholders are preparing for the visit, which includes Government Ministries and agencies.
“It will be an honor to host the President and have him witness first-hand the impact football has in the country,” SIFF President Marahare said.
President Infantino visited other OFC member associations recently in Cook Islands, American Samoa, Vanuatu, and Fiji before flying to Papua New Guinea en route to the Solomon Islands.
Part of the FIFA President’s delegation is FIFA World Cup 1998 winner and former Inter Milian forward Youri Djorkaeff who will be a key member of the FIFA President’s 11 to play against the SIFF President’s 11 consisting of local football veterans such as Batram Suri, George Lui, Stanley Waita and others.
The social football match will be played at Lawson Tama stadium at 4:30 pm.
- SIFF Media-