FIFA President's Unprecedented Meeting with 54 Africa Member Countries in South Africa

FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the South African Football Association (SAFA) on Tuesday, kicking off an unprecedented summit in Johannesburg.

Each of Africa’s 54 member countries have been invited to the executive summit with Infantino, called to discuss general issues in the game and explain FIFA’s plans to expand the World Cup and changes to its development structures.

The proceedings began with a private briefing held at the SAFA offices where Infantino attended a formal meet and greet with SAFA President Danny Jordaan.

“I wanted to pop by here with President Danny Jordaan, to visit the SAFA headquarters which are really beautiful and outstanding; I think an example for not only South Africa or the region or Africa but really for the whole world, a legacy of what can be done of facilities that can help to work,” Infantino told reporters.

It is the first time such a meeting has been held at which FIFA deals directly with all the leaders of African football.

Usually the only time all association presidents get together is for annual FIFA and CAF Congresses.

The meetings, which are being held behind closed doors, will be followed by a trip by Infantino to Harare on Thursday to join birthday celebrations for the Zimbabwe Football Association President Philip Chiyangwa.