FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially obtained Lebanese citizenship, on Monday, during a private visit he made to Lebanon with his family to complete the necessary legal procedures.
It was revealed that Infantino was in the country specifically to finalize arrangements for granting him citizenship. Although he does not have Lebanese origins, his connection to the country comes through his Lebanese wife, Lina Al-Ashkar.
Thus, Lebanese citizenship becomes the third in the record of the FIFA president, who also holds Swiss and Italian citizenship, while his family roots trace back to the Italian region of Lombardy.
Official meetings on the sidelines of the visit
Infantino’s visit is expected to include a series of official meetings with a number of senior Lebanese officials, most notably President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in addition to a meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Nora Beraghdarian, before he concludes his visit and departs the country later the same day.
A previous promise is officially fulfilled
It is worth noting that the FIFA president visited Lebanon in November 2025, where he met with the President at the time and received a promise to grant him Lebanese citizenship. This has now been officially fulfilled during his current visit, making Infantino one of the global sports figures who hold Lebanese citizenship.
This step reflects the depth of the relationship between the FIFA President and Lebanon, at a time when Infantino continues to lead FIFA and oversee the development of football globally.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds his passport after officially obtaining Lebanese citizenship.FIFA President Gianni Infantino with President Joseph Aoun after officially obtaining Lebanese citizenship.FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his meeting with President Joseph Aoun after officially obtaining Lebanese citizenship.
Lebanon
Lebanon is a country in the Middle East with a rich history as a crossroads of civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Ottomans. It is known for its diverse cultural and religious heritage, ancient ruins like those at Baalbek and Byblos, and its historic coastal cities. Modern Lebanon gained independence from France in 1943 and has since been characterized by both its vibrant cultural life and periods of political conflict.
Swiss
Switzerland is a federal republic in Central Europe known for its long history of neutrality, which was formally established by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Its cultural identity is shaped by its multilingual population and diverse traditions across its 26 cantons.
Italian
Italy is a country in Southern Europe renowned for its profound cultural, artistic, and historical influence, which stems from being the heart of the Roman Empire and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Its cultural sites, such as the Colosseum in Rome and the historic centers of Florence and Venice, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites that reflect millennia of history, from ancient civilizations to modern nationhood.
Lombardy
Lombardy is a northern Italian region known for its economic power and cultural landmarks, including Milan. Historically, it was a center of the Renaissance and later industrialization, with its name deriving from the Lombards, a Germanic people who ruled the area after the fall of the Roman Empire.
FIFA
FIFA, or the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the international governing body for association football, founded in Paris in 1904. It is best known for organizing major global tournaments, most notably the FIFA World Cup, which began in 1930.
