During his recent meeting with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, Gianni Infantino, the head of FIFA, joyfully announced that he has received Lebanese citizenship.
Infantino noted that he is very pleased to become a part of the Lebanese nation and emphasized the importance of discussing issues related to the development of football infrastructure, partnerships, and using sports as a tool for promoting peace, education, and supporting youth.
According to the Lebanese Football Association (LFA), this granting of citizenship is a symbolic step that confirms the recognition of Infantino's contribution to the development of football in the country and his ongoing support for the local football community. As a sign of friendship, the FIFA president presented Aoun with an official ball from the 2026 World Cup, as well as commemorative gifts from the organization.
Gianni Infantino, who is 55 years old, has been leading FIFA since 2019. Previously, he served as the Secretary General of UEFA starting in 2009. In addition to Lebanese citizenship, Infantino is also a citizen of Italy and Switzerland. He is married to Lina Al-Ashkar, who is originally from Lebanon.
