President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received FIFA President Gianni Infantino on September 29.
As reported by İdman.Biz, citing AZERTAC, President Ilham Aliyev thanked Gianni Infantino for his support for efforts aimed at developing football at the state level around the world, including in Azerbaijan.
The head of state noted that preparations are being carried out at a high level for the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival, which Azerbaijan will host for the first time next month, as well as the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be held in the country in 2027.
The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival is scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan from October 22 to 31.
President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of Azerbaijan's participation in these major sporting events and expressed hope that they would contribute to the development of football across the region.
Infantino thanked the Azerbaijani President for the reception. Referring to the first FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival to be staged in Azerbaijan, the FIFA President said the event would attract the attention of the global sporting community.
The meeting also covered the work being carried out to develop football in Azerbaijan and the progress achieved in the sport in recent years.
The sides highlighted the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and FIFA and discussed prospects for further strengthening the partnership. The contribution of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) to FIFA's activities was also noted.
At the end of the meeting, Gianni Infantino presented President Ilham Aliyev with commemorative gifts.
