FIFA President Infantino's surprise visit to Dhaka

FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Dhaka on a brief trip of only 2 hours and 35 minutes. He landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:50 pm on Sunday. A delegation of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), led by President Tabith Awal, welcomed him at the UCB Lounge inside the airport.

BFF General Secretary Imran Hossain Tushar said the special aircraft carrying him was scheduled to leave Dhaka for Bhutan at 3:25 pm.

Infantino made a stopover in Dhaka on his way to Bhutan for a meeting with BFF officials. Although the BFF did not clarify the purpose of the FIFA President's visit, it is assumed that he sat with BFF officials to garner support for himself in the FIFA election scheduled for March next year.
A BFF delegation welcomed the FIFA President at the airport's UCB Lounge. Agamir Somoy.

As there is no direct flight to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, Infantino chose Dhaka as a transit point. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) had, however, made the necessary preparations in advance to welcome him.

Earlier, Tabith Awal had met Infantino during the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia. During this stopover in Dhaka, he met with the BFF president. It is unknown why Infantino suddenly appeared in Dhaka like a meteor. BFF officials, however, say he chose Dhaka as a transit point to go to Bhutan.

But Infantino is now rushing around to various countries in this manner. Since the World Cup, he has been criticized from all sides for various activities. In particular, Infantino got into trouble over selling the World Cup rights to commercial companies. Since then, he has been under pressure. Europe and the Concacaf region have united to remove him from the FIFA presidency. There have even been demands for his resignation.

They are looking for a strong candidate against Infantino in the FIFA election next March. Along with several others, the name of famous football personality Arsene Wenger is also being heard strongly as a candidate.

So Infantino is now visiting various FIFA member states for his votes. Although he initially visited several members secretly, in the end it did not remain secret.

Previously, there used to be various protocols when the FIFA president visited different countries, but now he needs them. Because Infantino is going to various countries for his own votes. Sometimes he stays one night, sometimes he holds a quiet meeting at the airport and leaves. He also came to Dhaka on that whirlwind trip to seek votes.