In a remarkable move with both sporting and diplomatic dimensions, FIFA President Gianni Infantino completed the process of obtaining Lebanese citizenship. Today (Monday), he and his family members had their fingerprints taken at the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities in Beirut. The ceremony was attended by Interior Minister Ahmed Hajjar, Lebanese Football Federation President Hashem Haidar, and Federation Secretary General Jihad Al-Shahaf. Infantino will receive his Lebanese identity card at a later date, officially becoming a Lebanese citizen.
The meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere, reflecting the deep relationship between international football and Lebanon. Infantino presented Minister Hajjar with an official FIFA jersey bearing his name, along with a commemorative gift, in a gesture of appreciation symbolizing the strong partnership. Infantino openly expressed his great affection for Lebanon and his pride in this gesture, emphasizing his keen interest in supporting Lebanese football and developing its infrastructure in cooperation with the local federation.
Background of the event and the importance of international support
This event comes at a time when Lebanese football is striving to strengthen its presence on the international stage. Gianni Infantino, of Swiss-Italian origin, is known for his open approach to different cultures and his efforts to expand the reach of football globally through the "FIFA Forward" program, which aims to support national federations. The granting of Lebanese citizenship to a figure of the FIFA president's stature is a powerful message of support, which could translate in the future into development projects that serve stadiums and sports facilities in Lebanon and enhance opportunities for sports investment in the country.
Regional and international dimensions
Regionally, this move underscores Lebanon's historic role as a founding member of the Asian Football Confederation and reaffirms Beirut's status as a sporting destination despite the challenges. The association of the president of the world's largest sporting organization with Lebanon strengthens sports diplomacy (soft power), potentially opening doors to broader cooperation not only in football but also in youth and sports in general, and encouraging other international bodies to increase their confidence in Lebanese institutions.
A busy visit schedule
Infantino is scheduled to continue his busy schedule in Beirut, where he will hold a series of high-level official meetings, including, according to the source, with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in addition to a planned meeting with Minister of Youth and Sports Noura Bayrakdarian. These meetings will focus on exploring avenues for joint cooperation before Infantino concludes his visit and heads directly to the airport that evening, leaving a positive mark on Lebanese sports.
