In an interesting development from both a political and sporting perspective, the head of FIFA Gianni Infantino reportedly proposed a visit to Taiwan in the months after the forthcoming FIFA World Cup.

The offer– which was reported in GoGoal— occurred during a meeting between Infantino and current CTFA chairman Chang Tsan. Both men were in Vancouver for the 76th FIFA Congress, the last major meeting of the body before the worlds biggest sporting event gets underway across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Whether this visit actually happens remains to be seen. To be clear this appears to have been a suggestion rather than a direct assurance from Infantino. Even under the sporting name ‘Chinese Taipei‘, the presence of Infantino on Taiwanese soil would require some careful maneuvering given the commercial clout of China.

It should also be noted that at the same conference that Infantino was also involved in a remarkably naïve attempt to make the respective heads of the Israeli and Palestinian football associations shake hands on the podium. A similar kind of political gesture involving Taipei (and therefore Beijing) may well have just been another moment of showmanship from the head of FIFA . 

Now back in Taiwan, Chang also recognized that finalizing a potential FIFA visit was a tall order but it would also be something that the CTFA would pursue. ‘I can guarantee that we will not let Chairman Infantino’s promise remain only in the Vancouver conference room’, he wrote on his facebook page, ‘and we will not let this effort become a forgotten news story’.

Regardless of what happens, it is impressive to see the work of Chang on the global level, and even if it is just a proposal, it represents a welcome attempt to put Taipei back into the global footballing conversation.

Photo Credit: Gianni Infantino IG