FIFA president Gianni Infantino today told the world governing body’s Executive Football Summit in Phnom Penh that the Football Federation of Cambodia’s academy development programme is on track to achieve its goals in nurturing the Kingdom’s young talent.

After the meeting at the capital’s Sofitel Hotel, the FIFA president told reporters: “The Cambodian Football Federation is doing very well in its development of youth academies across the country in 25 provinces and cities.”

The FIFA summit was held in the Kingdom for the first time and attended by the presidents of member associations from three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe.

FFC vice president Kiev Sameth told The Post: “It was an honour to host the summit, and I want to say thank you to the FIFA president for his faith in Cambodia. This will further strengthen the friendship between us, the FIFA president and member associations from Africa and Europe.”

According to Sameth, FIFA has increased its support budget from $250,000 to $1,250,000 per year to help develop the FFC’s youth programmes and academies.

Infantino also backed a possible joint ASEAN 2034 World Cup bid, calling it “a good idea” and recommending that a youth World Cup be held in the region before then so that experience could be gained in hosting such a huge tournament.