ZIFA Leadership Engages at Global Stage as FIFA Congress Opens in Vancouver

The Zimbabwe Football Association is right where global football conversations are happening – at the 76th FIFA Congress currently underway in Vancouver, Canada.

Leading the Zimbabwean delegation is ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi, joined by Vice President Kennedy Ndebele and Acting General Secretary Norman Gwangwadza. Their presence reflects Zimbabwe’s growing voice in the global game and a clear intent to stay connected to the ideas, partnerships, and standards shaping football’s future.

The Congress, hosted by FIFA, brings together all 211 Member Associations. It’s more than a meeting – it’s a space where the direction of world football is debated, refined, and aligned. This year, a major focus has been on development and how the game continues to grow across every corner of the world.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino used the platform to highlight just how far the FIFA Forward Programme has come. Funding for Member Associations has increased eightfold compared to pre-2016 levels, with total investment expected to reach an unprecedented USD 2.7 billion in the next cycle.

“The benefits that we can generate from a FIFA World Cup, from a FIFA Club World Cup, from a FIFA Women’s World Cup, from a FIFA Women’s Club World Cup… go back to the entire world,” said Infantino. “We want to give every child, in every corner of the world, an opportunity – a chance to dream, to believe. And even if they don’t make it professionally, football still gives them moments of joy and connection.”

For Zimbabwe, being part of these conversations matters. It’s about learning, contributing, and making sure the local game continues to evolve in step with global best practice.
Magwizi captured that sentiment clearly.

“This Congress is important for us,” he said. “It gives Zimbabwe a seat at the table – a chance to engage, to learn, and to build relationships that support our long-term vision. Programmes like FIFA Forward are not just funding mechanisms; they are enablers. They help us strengthen our systems, invest in infrastructure, and develop the people who will carry our game forward.”

As the Congress continues in Vancouver, ZIFA’s focus remains steady – bringing back insight, opportunity, and momentum to keep driving Zimbabwean football forward.

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