FAM has invited football fans to join the crowd of spectators.
The last time a FIFA President visited the Maldives was in 2006. Then FIFA President Sepp Blatter had visited the Maldives as part of his visits to countries affected by the 2004 tsunami. Then President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had met with him, and Blatter had donated USD 2 million from FIFA to Maldives’ tsunami recovery program.
This visit aims to support FAM in its efforts to revive the sport. Football in the Maldives had stagnated under former FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel, whose tenure was marred by corruption and embezzlement. Bassam is currently serving a prison sentence for corruption, with additional cases pending. The current president, Thoriq, was elected through a FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee and has committed to restoring and improving football in the country.