{"id":55685,"date":"2025-09-19T21:20:52","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T21:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/ferwafa-president-gianni-infantino-discuss-rwanda-s-confirmed-role-as-host-for\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T14:54:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:54:06","slug":"ferwafa-president-gianni-infantino-discuss-rwanda-s-confirmed-role-as-host-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/ferwafa-president-gianni-infantino-discuss-rwanda-s-confirmed-role-as-host-for\/","title":{"rendered":"FERWAFA President, Gianni Infantino discuss Rwanda\u2019s confirmed role as  host for the FIFA Series 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>At the center of their discussions was Rwanda\u2019s confirmed role as host of the FIFA Series 2026, scheduled for the end of March 2026. <\/p>\n<p>The tournament will feature both men\u2019s and women\u2019s national teams, reinforcing Rwanda\u2019s growing reputation as a global hub for major sporting events.<\/p>\n<p>Another highlight was the inauguration of FERWAFA\u2019s new accommodation facility, expected to be transformed into a FIFA Academy Concept center.  <\/p>\n<p>This facility is set to become a cornerstone for nurturing young football talent in Rwanda and across Africa.<\/p>\n<p>Shema also briefed Infantino on the progress of four key pitch construction projects in Kigali, Gicumbi, Rutsiro, and Rusizi, all of which are expected to be completed by December 2025.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the ambitious FIFA Arena project\u2014comprising 10 mini pitches\u2014is underway, with the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Sports already contributing funds for the subbase works.<\/p>\n<p>Professionalization of football clubs and management programs in Rwanda also featured prominently in the discussions, with FIFA pledging support to strengthen the organizational and operational standards of local clubs.<\/p>\n<p>On the medical front, Shema updated the FIFA President on the CPR\/AED education program taking place from September 18 to 19, 2025. <\/p>\n<p>Organized in collaboration with the FIFA Medical Team and the Africa Heart Rhythm Association (AFHRA), the initiative aims to enhance player, staff, and fan safety by equipping participants with lifesaving emergency response skills.<\/p>\n<p>The two leaders further explored the feasibility of introducing a new VAR platform, the Football Video Support (FVS) system, to bolster refereeing standards in the Rwandan league. <\/p>\n<p>Among others, FERWAFA expressed its readiness to host FIFA regional courses for referee instructors, positioning Rwanda as a hub for capacity-building in African refereeing.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking after the meeting, President Fabrice Shema reaffirmed FERWAFA\u2019s commitment to working closely with FIFA and the Government of Rwanda to elevate football development. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese projects and programs not only build infrastructure but also strengthen professionalism, safety, and knowledge within our game. Rwanda is proud to be at the heart of football\u2019s growth story in Africa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The meeting underscored the strong partnership between Rwanda and FIFA, setting the stage for transformative initiatives that will impact the sport at both national and continental levels.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94749\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/fab-3.jpg\" alt=\"FERWAFA President, Gianni Infantino have discussed Rwanda\u2019s confirmed role as the host for the FIFA Series 2026. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94750\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0011.jpg\" alt=\"The high-level meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino took place on Friday, September, 2025. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94751\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0013.jpg\" alt=\"President Fabrice Shema and FIFA President Gianni Infantino discussed Rwanda\u2019s role as the official host of FIFA Series 2026.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94752\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0012.jpg\" alt=\"The President of Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Fabrice Shema expressed FERWAFA&#039;s readiness to host FIFA regional courses for referee instructors, positioning Rwanda as a hub for capacity-building in African refereeing.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94753\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0010.jpg\" alt=\"During their meeting, FERWAFA President Fabrice Shema and FIFA President Gianni Infantino explored transformative projects, including the FIFA Academy Concept and the construction of world-class pitches across Rwanda. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94755\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0008.jpg\" alt=\"FERWAFA President Fabrice Shema outlined exciting plans to enhance football infrastructure and professional development in the country during a high-level meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94756\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0006.jpg\" alt=\"Shema\u2019s discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted key projects set to reshape the football landscape. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94757\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0009.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94758\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0005.jpg\" alt=\"It was a historic moment in Rwandan football as FERWAFA President Fabrice Shema and FIFA President Gianni Infantino met to discuss Rwanda&#039;s pivotal role as host for the FIFA Series 2026.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94759\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0004.jpg\" alt=\"Fabrice Shema and Gianni Infantino\u2019s meeting highlighted the ongoing collaboration that will take Rwandan football to the next level. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94760\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img-20250919-wa0003.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The President of Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Fabrice Shema held a high-level meeting with Gianni Infantino, President of the world football governing body (FIFA) on Friday, September, 2025, where they discussed key milestones and upcoming projects that will shape the future of football in Rwanda and the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":2000094748,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-55685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"featured_image":{"id":2000094748,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/fab-2.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/fab-2.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/fab-2.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/fab-2.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/fab-2.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/fab-2.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55685"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55685\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000094748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55685"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=55685"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=55685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}