The AFC Diamond of Asia – the most esteemed individual accolade in Asian football – was awarded to FIFA President Gianni Infantino in recognition of his visionary leadership and unwavering support towards the development of Asian football and the global game at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 in Korea Republic on Tuesday.

The 54 year old Swiss-Italian football administrator Infantino was elected as FIFA President for the first time in 2016, and re-elected again in June 2019 and in March 2023. In January 2020 under his leadership, global football continues to experience remarkable growth. Through the transformative FIFA Forward Programme, FIFA Member Associations have received enhanced support, contributing to the rapid development of football worldwide. The current FIFA President has also delivered groundbreaking governance reforms, which have helped to restore confidence in the global game and the broader world of sport.

With Asia serving as the epicentre, the Infantino played a leading role in the successful staging of two of the greatest editions of FIFA’s flagship tournaments – the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, with the Continent also entrusted with hosting several FIFA age-group including those in India (2017 FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup and also the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup), Futsal and Beach Soccer competitions in recent years.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who presented the AFC Diamond of Asia to the FIFA President at the iconic Grand Peace Palace at Kyung Hee University said, “The Asian football family is forever grateful to President Infantino for his steadfast support and dedication towards strengthening the beautiful game across our great Continent. His devotion and passion for the game and commitment to the reforms agenda have left a remarkable imprint not only in restoring worldwide confidence and belief in our sport, but also in unifying our global football family, including Asia, and we are extremely honoured to be celebrating his remarkable contributions to Asian football.”

The AFC President also paid tribute to the FIFA President and FIFA for supporting the Asian FIFA Member Associations during the toughest crisis in modern history. At the height of the pandemic when the world of sport was forced to a standstill, FIFA approved the groundbreaking COVID-19 Relief Plan which made USD 1.5 billion available to support all 211 FIFA Member Associations and the six Confederations to help alleviate the financial impact of the global outbreak.

Shaikh Salman added, “In our darkest hour, FIFA extended a helping hand and stood tall as a beacon of hope for all our Member Associations. The manner in which we respond in times of crisis reflects the true measure of our character and the footballing world will always cherish the pillar of support provided by FIFA under the leadership of President Infantino.

Shaikh Salman also underlined the AFC’s support towards FIFA’s expansion of its tournaments under the leadership of President Infantino, as part of efforts to provide more Member Associations with the vital opportunity to strengthen their development through exposure to top level competitions.

A fine example of the FIFA President’s vision to elevate youth football to greater heights was brought to bear at the recently concluded and newly expanded 24-team FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024, which witnessed an all-Asian final between eventual winners DPR Korea and Japan.

The AFC President added, “The solid foundations we find ourselves in today are a tribute to President Infantino’s capabilities and wisdom and now the stage is set for an expanded FIFA World Cup in 2026 where a record minimum of eight Asian teams will compete in the global spectacle, reinforcing the message that football is truly global, which ultimately augurs well for our ambitions to solidify football as the number one sport on the Continent.”

President Gianni Infantino in the process became the 17th recipient of the elite accolade, which is the most prestigious AFC award bestowed annually upon an individual for exemplary contribution towards the development and promotion of football, on and off the field within the Asian Continent - selected by the AFC Executive Committee (Photo Courtesy AFC).