Forde, Chattopadhyay attend 2026 FIFA Executive Summit

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) concluded a productive participation at the FIFA Executive Football Summit 2026 in Miami, Florida, USA, reaffirming its commitment to football development and strengthening strategic partnerships that will support the continued growth of the sport in Guyana, a missive from the Federation indicated earlier this week.
Representing Guyana at the summit were GFF President Mr Wayne Forde and General Secretary Mr Pushpargha Chattopadhyay. Held from June 12 to 16 on the side-lines of the ongoing FIFA World Cup, the summit brought together all 211 FIFA Member Associations alongside senior FIFA officials to discuss the present and future of global football.
The annual summit serves as a key platform for Member Associations to engage with FIFA on football development initiatives, competition structures, governance standards, and emerging opportunities designed to advance the game worldwide. More importantly, it also provides member associations with the opportunity to share their perspectives and experiences, ensuring that FIFA programmes continue to evolve in ways that are more inclusive and responsive to the needs of its global football community.

Reflecting on the summit, the discussions placed significant emphasis on youth development, talent pathways, the expansion of the FIFA Forward Programme, and preparations for upcoming youth competitions, including the FIFA Under-15 World Cup and the FIFA U-15 Festival.
A major area of focus was the FIFA Forward 4.0 Programme, where Member Associations received updates on future plans and implementation strategies aimed at strengthening football infrastructure, administration, and development globally. Sessions also explored the evolving landscape of digital broadcasting and streaming, including presentations involving DAZN, FIFA’s official digital platform partner for content broadcasting.
On the side-lines of the summit, the GFF delegation held exclusive meetings with representatives from DAZN to discuss opportunities related to broadcast and streaming, while also engaging with FIFA officials on football development and future projects.
The Federation also participated in discussions with FIFA’s Member Associations division, led by Mr Jair Bertoni, Director of Member Associations Services (Americas), alongside FIFA Regional Office Lead Mr Jordan Victoire. These engagements focused on governance, compliance, and collaborative initiatives that will support the continued advancement of football in Guyana and the wider region.
GFF President Wayne Forde noted that participation in forums such as the FIFA Executive Football Summit remains critical to ensuring Guyana remains aligned with international best practices while identifying new opportunities to accelerate football development at all levels.
As the global football landscape continues to evolve, the GFF remains steadfast in leveraging international partnerships, embracing innovation, and advancing initiatives that create lasting opportunities for communities across Guyana. The knowledge gained and relationships strengthened at the FIFA Executive Football Summit 2026 position the Federation to further elevate local football, attract greater investment, and ensure that Guyanese players and stakeholders benefit from the continued growth of the global game.