Nualphan Lamsam, also known as Madam Pang, warmly welcomed the arrival of FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Bangkok ahead of the 74th FIFA Congress 2024, set to take place this week.
Joining the gathering were the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, AFC General Secretary, Datuk Seri Windsor John, AFC Deputy General Secretary Vahid Kardany, and the Head of President’s Office at FIFA, Federico Raviglione. Former football luminaries such as Youri Djorkaeff, Houssine Kharja, and Gelson Fernandes also graced the occasion.
Nualphan highlighted Thailand’s preparedness in hosting this paramount event, expressing gratitude for the support from both the government and private sectors. She extended an invitation to the Thai populace to embrace the occasion and extend gracious hospitality to all distinguished guests attending the Congress, aiming to make it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Delegates from 211 member associations are expected to convene at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
A key item on the agenda for this year’s Congress is the selection of the host country for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Set for May 17, the vote includes candidates from a European bloc of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as Brazil. To secure the hosting rights, the successful bid must garner a majority of votes from the 211 member countries.
Thailand marks a significant milestone as the first ASEAN country and only the fifth in the Asia-Pacific region, following Japan, South Korea, Qatar, and Australia, to host this esteemed event. (NNT)
