FIFA celebrates 120th anniversary of foundation in Paris

ISTANBUL

FIFA President Gianni Infantino led a ceremony, marking the 120th anniversary of football's global governing body.

The event was held in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The ceremony was attended by Macron, senior officials from FIFA, representatives of world football’s six confederations, the seven founding members, FIFA legends, and other dignitaries from the football and sporting world.

"We started with seven members 120 years ago. It's 211 now. The five billion people watching the FIFA World Cups and dreaming about football; the players and the FIFA Legends who are here today, those who make our hearts beat, who give us these incredible emotions, the fans from all over the world who follow their passion and who make football truly, truly unique," Infantino said.

"The history of 120 years, 120 years uniting the world," he added.

During the ceremony, the FIFA president and representatives from the seven founder members of FIFA, including the national football associations of Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as Real Madrid CF, who represented Spain 120 years ago, signed a commemorative certificate.