Jakarta, Indonesia - Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Ahmed Thariq, widely known as Tom, has called for greater representation and participation for smaller football nations in FIFA’s decision-making processes, saying the voices of developing countries must be heard more clearly within the global football governing body.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, Thariq said smaller nations should have a stronger opportunity to contribute to discussions surrounding FIFA’s governance structure and the direction of world football.
“I feel that regarding FIFA governance, small nations like us, or even the football big nations, we need our voice to be heard in the Congress and also in the process,” Thariq said.
He said the current opportunity for member associations to respond to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s emails and proposals concerning governance should be used by smaller football nations to raise their concerns and put forward their views.
“Now the FIFA President is giving a chance to reply his emails and proposals regarding governance structure. I think it’s a good opportunity for us, like small nations, to raise our concerns,” he said.
Thariq also spoke positively about the role FIFA has played in supporting football development around the world over the past decade, particularly for smaller and developing football nations.
He said FIFA’s investment and assistance had created opportunities for countries such as the Maldives to improve their football systems, strengthen development programmes and expand the game beyond the capital.
“Regarding the FIFA President, over the last ten years, FIFA has invested a lot into the football system. Even the small nation or the big nations, FIFA’s assistance during the past ten years to all the nations equally to develop the football across the globe,” Thariq said.
He added that he believes the Maldives and other smaller nations have benefited from the development opportunities provided through FIFA’s programmes.
“So I believe the FIFA President is helping us small nations to develop football, and I think it’s a good opportunity for us to have this kind of person in the FIFA leadership,” he said.
Thariq further highlighted the importance of FIFA investment for countries such as the Maldives, where football development faces unique challenges because of the country’s geography and the distribution of its population across numerous islands.
“I feel that regarding the past ten years with the FIFA President Gianni Infantino, throughout the world, FIFA is investing a lot of football to the nations, small nations like us or developing nations through the football system,” he said.
“So we are getting opportunity to enhance our system and we are getting more opportunities to develop football across, you know, our islands.”
Thariq’s comments come as FAM seeks to strengthen its relationship with FIFA and regional football organisations following his return to the presidency in July 2025.
Thariq was first elected FAM President in 2016, but his initial tenure lasted only around four months after five members of his executive committee resigned simultaneously, resulting in the collapse of his executive committee and the end of his presidency. He was later succeeded by Bassam Adeel Jaleel.
Almost a decade later, Thariq returned to the FAM presidency on July 26, 2025, when he was elected unopposed with the unanimous support of the 32 congress members present. His return came after a period in which FAM had been under a FIFA-led normalisation process.
Since returning to office, Thariq and his administration have placed emphasis on strengthening FAM’s relationships with FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and regional football bodies, while also pursuing a broader development structure for Maldivian football.
One of the most significant moments in that renewed relationship came in October 2025, when FIFA President Gianni Infantino made his first official visit to the Maldives. Infantino met President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and held discussions with Thariq on football development plans and ways to expand the impact of the game across the country.
The visit also highlighted FIFA’s support for the Maldives’ plans to decentralise football development. FAM presented plans to establish regional associations and expand football opportunities across the islands. FIFA also supported the Revamp of the Atolls Regional League 2025/26 pilot through FIFA Forward funding, with a reported contribution of USD 266,000. The programme involved teams from different atolls and was designed to create a pathway into the national football structure.
FAM has also been planning the development of a National Women’s League with support from FIFA Forward funding, reflecting the association’s broader efforts to expand participation and competition beyond the traditional national-team structure.
Thariq’s latest comments in Indonesia therefore come against the backdrop of a renewed engagement between FAM and FIFA, with the FAM president stressing that global football governance should not only be shaped by the largest football nations.
For the Maldives, his message is centred on ensuring that smaller football associations have a meaningful voice in FIFA’s decision-making process while continuing to make use of international development support to strengthen football at home.
The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup itself brought together 14 national teams from Southeast Asia and beyond between September 24 and October 5, with Indonesia and Hong Kong, China hosting the competition. FIFA described the tournament as a platform for meaningful international competition and stronger regional football ties.
Thariq’s comments underline the wider challenge and opportunity facing smaller football nations, securing a stronger voice in global football governance while translating international support and investment into sustainable football structures, stronger domestic competitions and greater opportunities for players across their countries.
