Algerian Football Federation (FAF) President Walid Sadi and Secretary-General Mounir Bouznad are attending the 75th FIFA Congress, which takes place on Thursday, 15 May, in Asunción, Paraguay.
The two senior officials arrived in the Paraguayan capital on Wednesday ahead of the event, which coincides with the centenary celebration of the Paraguayan Football Association’s affiliation with FIFA. The congress is expected to set the tone for key developments in international football governance and policy in the coming years.
This year’s meeting holds special significance for global football, with discussions centred around major upcoming tournaments and institutional matters. Among the key topics on the agenda are preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the commemorative “Centenary Celebration” matches planned as part of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will mark 100 years since the first edition of the tournament.
Also high on the congress’s schedule are elections for several key FIFA committees, including the Disciplinary Committee, the Ethics Committee, the Appeal Committee, and the Governance, Audit, and Compliance Committee. These elections play a crucial role in maintaining transparency, ethical oversight, and good governance within the world football body.
For Algeria, the gathering represents more than just ceremonial participation. The absence of Algerian representation in FIFA’s internal structures has been a notable gap since the death of Dr Yacine Zerguini, a former influential figure within the organisation.
In addition, the departure of Belaid Lacarne—previously a member of the FIFA Referees Committee and a former president of Algeria’s Federal Arbitration Commission—has left the country without a seat at the table in key decision-making circles.
The presence of Walid Sadi and Mounir Bouznad at the congress presents a timely opportunity for Algeria to reintegrate into FIFA’s internal framework. With committee seats up for election, it could serve as a pathway for the nation to regain influence in the global football arena.
Observers will be closely watching whether either of the two officials is nominated or elected to a role within the organisation’s standing bodies.
Beyond the elections, the congress will also address proposals submitted by member associations and the FIFA Council, in accordance with Article 28, paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes. These proposals often shape the regulatory environment and strategic direction of the sport on a global scale.
As the football world gathers in Paraguay, Algeria’s football leadership is positioning itself to reconnect with FIFA’s core institutions. With major competitions and governance reforms on the horizon, the 75th FIFA Congress marks a pivotal moment for Algeria to reassert its presence on the international stage after several years of absence from FIFA’s internal structures.
The outcome of the congress, particularly the elections to FIFA’s committees, will determine whether Algerian football can re-establish a voice within the corridors of world football power.
