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October 3, 2026
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Infantino Begins Fifa Reign With Star-studded Tournament

πŸ“… | Words: 228
πŸ“‚ Categories: Sports
🏷️ Tags: Soccer
Written By: Famzn News

Verified Author & Editorial Contributor

Carles Puyol, Robert Pires and Deco were among some of the icons on display in Switzerland as the Swiss national officially took over from Sepp Blatter

Fifa president Gianni Infantino played in a seven-a-side tournament alongside a host of football greats in Zurich on Monday to mark his first day in office.

Infantino was elected on Friday to replace Sepp Blatter, whose long reign ended in disgraceΒ with the 79-year-old serving a six-year ban from all football-related activity amid a corruption scandal at the governing body.

But successor and Swiss compatriotΒ Infantino held a seven-a-side tournament on his first day in the job in a bid to help the organisation become synonymous with football rather than off-field matters.

Former England and AC Milan bossΒ Fabio Capello was present as coach, while Infantino captained a side that included Luis Figo, Michel Salgado and Paolo Maldini.


Among the three other teams were star names such as Carles Puyol,Β Robert Pires, Clarence Seedorf, Deco and Andriy Shevchenko.

"Football is back at Fifa,Β and Fifa is back in football,"Β said Infantino. "As of today, I'd like that when we speak about Fifa, we speak about football. That's why I arranged these games today."

World Cup-winning former Spain captain Puyol added: "It is a symbolic act. If we talk about the football governing body,Β then it’s very positive to have the players playing an active role in it."

- Goal

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