The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, reported this Monday of his interest in developing the infrastructure and talent of Nicaraguan soccer, which has one of the most discreet levels in Central America.
During a visit to Nicaragua, after witnessing the final of the 2022 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, Infantino showed special interest in finishing the works on the National Soccer Stadium, and in detecting and developing local human talent.
“Nicaragua has to have a national stadium where it gives this name (honors it), that is a symbol of a country where all the players are proud to play, where the whole country is proud,” said the world soccer rector, in a press conference offered in Managua.
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The current structure of Nicaragua’s National Soccer Stadium, which has been under construction for decades, is more like an open laptop, thanks to the stands set into the slopes of a hill and the field at the base of them.
The Nicaraguan Football Federation (Fenifut), reported this Monday its interest in expanding the stadium and roofing part of it.
“With the matches that we are going to organize in Nicaragua, with the (local) team and other world teams, the stadium is going to be reflected throughout the world, and that is why it is important to have a spectacular stadium,” Infantino said.
The FIFA president also showed interest in building a dome for futsal, and insisted on developing local talent.
“We have talked about the technical center, the development of talents, and we are going to continue talking about this, how can you detect the best talents in this country, which has many talents in various places in the country, how can we bring them to the technical center and create players? even stronger,” he said.
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Infantino backed up his remarks with the presence of former world champion Jill Ellis, from the FIFA Technical Study Group on the future of women’s football; Arsène Wenger, Director of Global Football Development at FIFA; and Pierluigi Collina, president of the FIFA Refereeing Commission.
Nicaragua currently occupies position 139 in the FIFA world ranking.
Sports such as baseball or boxing have historically been the most followed in Nicaragua, although the popularity of soccer has been growing in recent years.
