FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Wednesday, June 12, marking his first visit to Malawi. The visit came a day after the stadium hosted a 2026 World Cup qualifier between Ivory Coast and Kenya.

During his stay, Infantino met with Malawi’s sports minister and the head of the Malawi Football Association (FA), Fleetwood Haiya. The visit coincided with a period of national mourning following the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of Vice President Saulos Chilima.

Infantino, who was scheduled to meet with the late Vice President, paid his condolences to Chilima’s widow, Mary Nkhamanyachi Chilima, and to Malawi’s president. Expressing his solidarity, Infantino’s presence was seen as a significant gesture during a time of national sorrow. Fleetwood Haiya commented on the visit, stating, “The coming of the FIFA President, indeed, is very historical. We would have loved him to come in a situation whereby, maybe, there is joy. Unfortunately, we are in grief and, to us, what we are saying is that we are sending our gratitude to him for showing solidarity during this period in sorrow. This shows that football unites. This shows, indeed, that football is happening globally.”

Infantino also met with Paris Saint-Germain forward Tabitha Chawinga during his visit. Chawinga highlighted the importance of Infantino’s visit for the development of football in Malawi, saying, “It’s very important [for] the FIFA President to visit Malawi because as [for] me, I met him, so we shared two or three things: [how] maybe he can help Malawi to develop its football.”

Infantino’s visit, which began on Tuesday, June 11, also focused on exploring ways to provide more opportunities for children in Malawi through football. His presence emphasized FIFA’s commitment to supporting and developing football in the region, despite the nation’s current period of mourning.