Belgium’s foreign minister wore a “One Love” armband when she met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino at her country’s World Cup match against Canada on Wednesday. Hadja Lahbib was pictured wearing the colorful armband — regarded as a symbol for inclusion and diversity — that FIFA has prevented captains of seven European teams, including Belgium, from wearing at the World Cup in Qatar. Read more: Japanese footballers find the energy to clean up locker room after beating Germany, win over internet They wanted to wear it as a rebuke to host nation Qatar’s human rights record. Lahbib posted a photo of herself on Twitter wearing the band on her left arm, writing: “My heart goes out to our Red Devils!” FIFA warned the seven European federations that players would be penalized if they wore the armband. Germany’s players covered their mouths for their team photo before their opening World Cup match, a 2-1 loss to Japan, to protest against FIFA’s clampdown on the “One Love” armband. Read more: After 36 years, Canada has to wait longer for World Cup win “It was a sign from the team, from us,” Germany coach Hansi Flick said, “that FIFA is muzzling us.” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who is also responsible for sports, also wore a “One Love” armband in the stands for her country’s match, sitting beside Infantino. Faeser posted a photo of herself wearing it with the hashtag #OneLove. Europe has been outspoken in its criticism of Qatar for breaching human rights. Belgium Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib wore the "One Love" armband during her meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in protest of Qatar's human rights violations.

GENEVA (AP/UNB) — Opponents of FIFA’s push for World Cups every two years seem scared of being toppled from the top of world soccer, its president Gianni Infantino said on Friday. Infantino’s speech to African soccer leaders was a clear criticism of Europe and South America which have dominated every World Cup and are threatening a boycott of biennial men’s tournaments. “Those who are against are those who are at the top,” Infantino told officials from the 54-nation Confederation of African Football meeting in Cairo. Read: NZ openers block out India after Southee 5-for on Day 2 “It happens in every sector of life, when there are reforms and changes, those who are at the top don’t want anything to change,” said Infantino, who was a long-time senior official at UEFA until being elected FIFA president in 2016. “They are afraid, maybe, that if something changes their leadership position is at risk.” Europe and South America have provided every team to play in all 21 World Cup finals since the first in 1930, and their historical strength has earned them at least 18 of the 32 entries at the 2022 edition in Qatar. “We understand that and we compliment and applaud them for having been so successful in reaching the top,” Infantino said. “This is fantastic and they are an example for everyone. But at the same time we cannot close the door (to others).” Read: Diego Maradona: A year without the Argentine Legend No African team has reached a men’s World Cup semifinal and the continent has just five of the 32 entries. That rises to at least nine when the 48-team tournament debuts in 2026. Infantino has pushed for biennial World Cups to help other regions develop and close the gap — by giving nations more chances to qualify and players more chances to perform on the biggest stage. An extra men’s World Cup in a four-year cycle would likely add around $3 billion at current levels to FIFA income and increase funding to its 211 member federations and six continental bodies. “It is our responsibility to keep the dream open to give opportunities to everyone,” the FIFA leaders said. Still, the backlash from all levels of European soccer since FIFA formally detailed its biennial plan in September led Infantino to say last month that any changes must be reached by consensus without doing harm to the game. Read: Fast bowler Pat Cummins is new Australia cricket captain European and South American soccer officials see threats to the status of their own continental and domestic competitions, and an increased workload for players. Infantino hinted again on Friday that a modified tournament could be a solution to getting wider support. “Will it be with the World Cup or will it be in another way?” he told members of CAF, which is currently the continental body most closely aligned with FIFA. “We have to study, of course, all this.” Annual 48-team youth tournaments, instead of the two-yearly World Cups for men and women at under-20 and under-17 level, are also part of FIFA’s plan to develop soccer. It was detailed in Cairo by Arsène Wenger, the former Arsenal coach who is FIFA director of global development. Infantino warned of losing a generation of youth players whose birth year falls at the wrong time in the current cycle of tournaments. FIFA has organized an online summit of its 211 members on Dec. 20 to discuss a strategy for future tournaments. No vote on biennial World Cups is expected then amid the current opposition, which includes a show of unity by UEFA and South American soccer body CONMEBOL. They have created a shared office in London that opens next month.

Robert Lewandowski won the biggest individual prize of his career Thursday, showing that a forward not named Messi or Ronaldo can be voted the world’s best soccer player.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino wished all the candidates of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) election 2020 which is undergoing at the Panpacific Sonargon Hotel at the capital on Saturday.

The future of soccer could be fewer games and fewer top competitions to help avoid a financial crisis, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a newspaper interview published Monday.

The super agents of soccer have pressing priorities beyond trading players in the January transfer window: Protecting their ability to enjoy unrestricted cuts of deals.

The year 2019 was tumultuous year for Bangladesh football, which witnessed its fair share of highs and lows over the past 12 months. Overall though, it has to be said that under Englishman Jamie Day, the men’s national team seem to be on to a good thing for the first time in years. It remains to be seen how much further the team can progress under his tutelage. Before turning the page to 2020, let's look back at the year that was for Bangladesh football.   Slight improvement in FIFA rankings   The Bangladesh Men’s National football team started the year 2019 ranked a dismal 192nd out of 210 nations in the FIFA rankings. They moved to 188th slot in April and then jumped up five place to move 183rd in June and then 182nd in July. That would remain the peak for the year however, as they again slipped down to 184th in October and finally ended the year at 187th with 915 points – so not all that much better in the end, but certainly not worse.  

Dhaka, Oct 17 (UNB)- FIFA President Gianni Infantino has insisted that football remains the number one sport in Bangladesh, and is hopeful of a bright future for ‘the beautiful game’ in the country that matches up to its enormous popularity.

Dhaka, Oct 17 (UNB) - President of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino on Thursday said FIFA will continue its support to Bangladesh for the promotion of its football.

Dhaka, Oct 12 (UNB) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino will arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday evening on a one-day visit responding to the invitation of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).