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FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the value of investing in football worldwide during his visit to the Dominican Republic for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) U-14 Challenge Series. In meetings with regional leaders, he reiterated his commitment to reducing the gap between the leading football nations and the rest of the world.

Infantino visits the Dominican Republic

FIFA President Infantino travelled to the Dominican Republic to meet Member Associations from the CFU. The trip took place alongside the CFU U-14 Challenge Series, a youth competition backed by the FIFA Forward programme. During the visit, Infantino held constructive discussions with CFU representatives, including President Lyndon Cooper and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani.

He also met local government and sports officials, underlining that the youth tournament was a perfect example of the benefits of global investment in the game. The FIFA chief said he was pleased to engage with figures from the region. He added that the gathering offered an important opportunity to hear views and exchange ideas about the future of football.

Narrowing the global football gap

One of the main themes of the visit was FIFA's continuing effort to create a more level playing field across continents. Infantino pointed to a decade of positive progress, while insisting that further development remains essential.

"I received a very, very warm welcome here in the Dominican Republic – beautiful, beautiful country…on the occasion of a meeting of the Caribbean Football Union, to discuss projects, ideas," Infantino said.

"So, even more so, a reason to be proud to be here. And happy, as well, because it’s important to engage, to have a dialogue, to express views and opinions – a lot been happening in the last few weeks and it’s important that you hear, you listen and you’re able to, also, express what your feelings are. So, I think overall, a positive, very, very happy with all the support I get here.

"We want to grow football in every one of our 211 countries in the world. We need to narrow this gap between the big, big countries and all the others...we need to give a chance to all the others".

Funding the next generation

Established in 1978, the CFU has 31 members and receives major financial support from world football's governing body. Under the current FIFA Forward cycle, up to $5 million is allocated to each regional organisation to support key initiatives. Infantino praised the model, calling it one of the best investments FIFA has made. He recalled that many regional associations had previously lacked the resources needed to organise football events for children.

"We had to find resources, and we had to find more and more resources because what they do in organising these events for the children – this year is the U-14 here in the CFU, in the Caribbean – U-14 boys, next year, U-14 girl," he added.

"Why shouldn’t we do, every year, boys and girls, for example? Well, that costs money, of course. Our job is to help to find that money so that more girls and more boys can enjoy football.

"We will organise now this year for the first time in FIFA a U-15 World Cup where all 211 countries of FIFA are invited. A festival of youth, more than 4.000 children playing football together. That’s why we need these resources, sponsors, broadcasters to reinvest 100% of what we generate back into the game, because we want to make football truly global in every corner of the world."

A new global youth festival

Looking ahead, Infantino unveiled plans for a major new youth tournament that will be open to all 211 FIFA member associations. The move is in line with the organisation's objective of making the sport truly global.

The first U-15 World Cup is due to be staged this year, bringing together more than 4.000 children to play football. Infantino enthusiastically described the forthcoming international event as a "festival of youth".

To turn such ambitious plans into reality, the FIFA President stressed the continuing need for resources, sponsors and broadcasters. He pledged that 100 per cent of the money generated would be reinvested directly back into the game to support further growth.