FIFA President visits Algeria as Nelson Mandela Stadium is inaugurated

ZURICH, Switzerland - President Gianni Infantino was present for inauguration of the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers and met with the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune; Mr Infantino also held meetings with the Presidents of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Algerian Football Association (FAF); Algeria set to host the African Nations Championship from 13 January to 4 February 2023.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has completed a day of engagements in Algeria, which included the inauguration ceremony to officially open the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers – and a meeting with the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

“There are important developments taking place across Algerian football, not least the opening of the Nelson Mandela Stadium, which is a fitting honour in memory of a great leader, and also a wonderful venue to host matches in the upcoming African Nations Championship,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

President Infantino later met with President Tebboune at the stadium, and held fruitful discussions on a range of matters.

The inauguration ceremony of the 40,000-seater stadium took place a day in advance of the opening game of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), as the Nelson Mandela Stadium will also host the opening match as Algeria face Libya on 13 January, and it will also provide the venue for the final on 4 February.

As well as attending the ceremony, President Infantino also met with Patrice Motsepe, CAF President and a FIFA Vice-President, and Djahid Zefizef, the President of the Algerian Football Association (FAF) to discuss a wide range of football development matters across the African continent, and the ongoing drive to strengthen football infrastructure throughout Algeria.