{
  "id": 720761,
  "title": "Malawi FA chief backs Infantino, credits Fifa investment for World Cup breakthrough",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/malawi-fa-chief-backs-infantino-credits-fifa-investment-for-world-cup-720761",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-13T00:41:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/08/13/malawi-fa-chief-backs-infantino-credits-fifa-investment-for-world-cup-breakthrough"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fifa president Gianni Infantino's withdrawn proposal included a US$20 million grant for member associations, doubling if signed. Malawi's women's qualification for the 2027 World Cup is attributed to Fifa's investment in African football under Infantino's leadership, as stated by Malawi FA president Fleetwood Haiya. The success of Malawi can be credited to Infantino's focus on developing undervalued associations, particularly in Africa, leaving no African association unmoved by his efforts. Haiya believes Infantino's proposal to raise US$4.2 billion by selling stakes in World Cup and other tournaments was withdrawn due to governance concerns; however, he hopes a replacement plan would provide poorer associations with necessary financial support. Despite the withdrawal, Haiya remains loyal to Infantino, highlighting his dedication to the game and equal opportunity. Infantino's proposed US$20 million grant could transform Malawian football, with a US$40 million injection potentially making a significant difference.",
  "summary": "Malawi's qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup prompted its football association to credit Fifa's investment in African football under Fifa president Gianni Infantino.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Malawi FA chief backs Infantino, credits FIFA investment for World Cup breakthrough",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/malawi-fa-chief-backs-infantino-credits-fifa-investment-for-world-cup",
        "published": "2026-08-12T15:58:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Malawi FA chief backs Infantino, credits Fifa investment for World Cup breakthrough",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/malawi-fa-chief-backs-infantino-credits-fifa-investment-for-world-cup",
        "published": "2026-08-13T00:41:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "FAI withdraws Infantino support as IFA backs Uefa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/fai-withdraws-infantino-support-as-ifa-backs-uefa",
        "published": "2026-08-13T11:05:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Qatar, Morocco among six Arab federations backing FIFA's Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/qatar-morocco-among-six-arab-federations-backing-fifas-infantino-761221",
        "published": "2026-08-13T11:33:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Qatar, Morocco among six Arab federations backing FIFA’s Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/qatar-morocco-among-six-arab-federations-backing-fifas-infantino-775150",
        "published": "2026-08-13T14:07:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Doha News",
        "title": "Qatar, Arab Football Federations issue joint statement supporting FIFA’s Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/qatar-arab-football-federations-issue-joint-statement-supporting",
        "published": "2026-08-13T20:36:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}