Gianni Infantino became the first FIFA president to visit Macao as the Macao Football Association opened its first permanent home, funded by FIFA Forward
FIFA’s Infantino opens Macao football’s first headquarters
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino inaugurated the new headquarters of the Macao Football Association (AFM) on 4 October, becoming the first FIFA president to visit Macao.
The building was built with support from FIFA’s Forward programme and is the first permanent home for AFM in its 48 years as a FIFA member. Infantino said that after almost 50 years of membership, the association “has its own home.” He called it “a truly great day for football” and said the headquarters would bring “more hope, opportunities, and dreams for girls, boys, and children across the region.”
AFM vice president Coc Veng Chong joined Infantino at the ceremony. Infantino thanked AFM’s leadership, including president Vitor Cheung and general secretary Chan Keng Hou, for their work and for “a great discussion about our future.”
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Infantino also met Macao’s under-15 team, which will play at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan from 24 to 30 October. Macao will play in Group S against Cayman Islands, Egypt, Iraq, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. Infantino wished the team luck, saying “football belongs to everyone, everywhere.”
The senior men’s team also gained international experience at the FIFA Series 2026 in Rwanda in March, where they faced Aruba and Tanzania. AFM has also benefited from FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme, which focuses on spotting young talent and developing coaches. It has prioritised youth competitions at under-8 and under-12 level.
The visit followed a stop in Hong Kong the day before, where Infantino attended the final of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Challenge Cup. Hong Kong beat Cambodia 2-0 at Kai Tak Stadium.
