FIFA's Infantino urges MLS owners to 'be bold' to grow league to full potential

FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged MLS owners to “‘think big’ and ‘be bold’ to grow the league to its full potential” at an MLS BOG meeting in L.A. last week, according to Paul Tenorio of THE ATHLETIC. Sources said that Infantino "spoke about his belief that MLS can be one of the best leagues in the world,” but said that to “reach those goals owners would have to increase their investment, pointing especially to academy development and the first-team rosters.” Infantino said that he had “been impressed with the owners’ passion and commitment to grow the game, and the growth of fan bases, stadiums and infrastructure around MLS.” He emphasized that FIFA was "not picking up and moving on after the tournament,” but rather “wanted to be partners to grow the game in the U.S.” Tenorio noted FIFA has opened offices in Miami that "will remain in place after the World Cup in 2026" and Infantino is “spending more time in the U.S.” He has "attended multiple MLS games this year." Infantino “pointed to the global standing of the U.S. as a top economic and commercial powerhouse,” and said that MLS “should aim for a similar standing in the sport. He encouraged MLS owners to "think about how to be among the best leagues globally.” Sources said that Infantino “urged owners to be bold in their approach to growing the league” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/12).