FIFA Unveils Pele Stadium in Rwanda Following 73rd Congress in Kigali

• Rwanda have named their new stadium after Brazil legend Pele
• President Paul Kagame and Gianni Infantino unveiled the stadium on Match 16
• This is in line with FIFA's show of solidarity to the three-time World Cup winner

Rwanda became the latest country to name a stadium in honour of the late legendary Brazilian footballer, Edson Arantes dos Nascimento, popularly known as Pele.

The president of Rwanda Paul Kagame was joined by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino as the new stadium was unveiled.

The East African nation becomes the third country in Africa after Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau to name a stadium after Pele.

Pele died in December 2022 after losing his battle with cancer at the age of 82.

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“I would like, sincerely, to thank you from the bottom of my heart that we are currently here in this beautiful stadium, which is, as we see, the name of the Kigali Pelé Stadium,” the FIFA President said, as quoted by FIFA.com.

“Pelé is football, Pelé is the world, Pelé left us much too early, but Pelé is always with us. He is with all of us, all those who love football, and it is so important that every girl and every boy all over the world can remember who Pelé was. So, thank you for this great gesture, to name this beautiful stadium after Pelé, and congratulations again," he added.

The Rwandan President also gave a short speech, taking to social media to share his excitement.

"President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame today attended the unveiling of the newly named Kigali Pele Stadium. President Kagame also joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the Football Delegation Tournament on the sidelines of the 73rd #FIFACongress," the official Instagram account of the President wrote.

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Infantino has been re-elected as president of FIFA for another term.

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