(FILES) In this file photo taken on February 03, 2020 FIFA President Gianni Infantino gestures as he speaks during a public debate with members of the Association of International Sports Press (AIPS) as part of its annual congress on February 3, 2020 in Budapest, Hungary. - A special prosecutor looking into dealings between Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has launched criminal proceedings against the FIFA president. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)
KUALA LUMPUR: FIFA president Gianni Infantino is expected to make an official visit to Malaysia in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit 2025, which is expected to be attended by United States President Donald Trump.
A senior source within the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) told Bernama today, the visit is intended, among other matters, to witness the signing ceremony of an Asean football development agreement - a move described by the source as a significant step towards strengthening the football ecosystem in South-East Asia.
Besides attending official functions, Infantino is also scheduled to pay a visit to the National Training Centre (NTC) in Putrajaya.
The source said the visit would allow FIFA representatives to assess the modern facilities developed to support the long-term vision for Malaysian football.
Infantino’s itinerary is also expected to include a stop at the Football for Schools programme in Kelana Jaya, an initiative aimed at promoting football participation among students through educational and community approaches.
The visit - if it proceeds as scheduled - could boost the profile of Malaysian football, particularly with regard to grassroots development and the country’s role in regional football planning.
This visit would also provide an opportunity to strengthen strategic ties with FIFA and to seek support on matters such as infrastructure, coaching and community programmes.
For the record, Infantino was in Malaysia in April 2019, when he led a delegation of football leaders who paid a courtesy call on the former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The 47th Asean Summit, themed "Inclusion in Sustainability", is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26 to 28, with the participation of top leaders from the 10 Asean member states as well as key dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan and India. - Bernama
