The President of the Albanian Football Association, Armand Duka, participated in the proceedings of the 76th FIFA Congress, held on April 30, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada, where a series of major decisions for world football were discussed and approved.
A key focus of the Congress was the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which FIFA leaders stated will serve as a global platform for uniting people and promoting respect and harmony among nations. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized football’s unique role in building bridges in a divided world, underlining that the World Cup will carry a strong message of unity.
Another central topic was the update on the global anti-racism initiative, adopted in 2024. FIFA reported concrete progress in this area, including amendments to the Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the “No Racism” gesture across all tournaments, and the protection of thousands of players and teams on social media through dedicated support services.
On the financial side, the Congress approved the 2025 annual report and the budget for the 2027–2030 cycle, which foresees record revenues of 14 billion dollars. A significant portion of these funds will be invested in football development through the FIFA Forward program, with increased support for all 211 member associations.
Other important issues were also addressed during the sessions, highlighting football’s role as a tool for building bridges and promoting peace.
In conclusion, FIFA confirmed that the 77th Congress will take place on March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco, while an extraordinary virtual Congress will be held on November 23, 2026, to select the host nations for the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups.
