The start to the FIFA Congress in Paraguay caught many by surprise on Wednesday. Originally scheduled to commence at 9:30 a.m., the event was pushed back by over two hours, eventually starting at 12:47 local time (1547 GMT). Delegates rumbled with anticipation at the CONMEBOL confederation centre, barely two kilometres from Silvio Pettirossi International Airport. It was a sea of excitement, humming with expectation as they waited for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to arrive.
Infantino’s late arrival was explained on the agenda by noting his travels that had just returned him from a Middle East trip. He traveled to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates with then-U.S.-President Donald Trump. The congress also attracted high-level international football officials from around the world. They convened to discuss critical challenges facing the evolving football world.
Arrival and Opening Remarks
To the clinking sound of oars and the foghorn of the starting gun, delegates welcomed Infantino with a spontaneous standing ovation. As an example, he made a pledge to communicate better by doing the following,
“I welcome you, we are in Paraguay so I will try to speak in Spanish.”
This experience and gesture has left a lasting impact on our local audience and created a more welcoming environment for the many international congress visitors.
The first hiccup led to some anxious moments for delegates, who were expecting a quick return to regular programming. Most could not help but admit, or at least sympathize with the idea of the complexities that come with wrangling high-profile events.
Significance of the Congress
FIFA Congress convenes thousands of football executives from all over the world. Together, they work to address the rapidly changing and pressing concerns that the industry is facing right now. Discussions often cover areas such as governance, fiscal management and youth development, to hosting large tournaments and footballing advancements.
As delegates took their seats, there was a buzz of expectation about which major agenda items would be pushed through during the course of the congress. The extra time leading up to the opening action provided participants with ample opportunities to connect and learn from one another’s experiences working within their own football associations.
Looking Ahead
The last-minute start threw many of them off their game. It underscored just how important being adaptable is for international sports governing bodies. FIFA Congress is the place for leaders to come together and plan for the next exciting chapter of the beautiful game, worldwide.
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