Football Association of Maldives president Ahmed Thariq says smaller football nations should have a greater say in FIFA's decisions and governance, and praised the organisation's investment in development over the past decade.
He spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Jakarta, which ran from 24 September to 5 October with 14 national teams. He said FIFA president Gianni Infantino's invitation to member associations to respond to his proposals on governance was a chance for small nations to raise concerns.
FIFA Forward funding has supported the pilot of the revamped Atolls Regional League 2025/26, with a reported USD 266,000, and the FAM is planning a National Women's League with the same funding. Thariq returned to the presidency on 26 July 2025, elected unopposed.
