FIFA President Gianni Infantino welcomed a high-level delegation from the Mongolia Football Federation (MFF) to the Home of FIFA in Zürich, Switzerland, where he was presented with the country’s highest state honour for a foreigner, the Friendship Medal.

The award serves as a symbol of the strong and growing bond between world football’s governing body and Mongolian football. Mr Infantino expressed his gratitude for the touching gesture to the delegation, which included H.E. Ms Davaasuren Gerelmaa, Ambassador of Mongolia to the Swiss Confederation, and MFF President Anandbazar Tsogt-Ochir.

“I am deeply honoured to receive Mongolia’s highest state honour for a foreigner, the Friendship Medal,” the FIFA President said. “Together, we are supporting Mongolia’s ambition to grow the game, empower women and youth, and aim for new milestones in the years ahead.”

During the meeting, the delegation discussed the impact of the FIFA Forward Programme on Mongolia's infrastructure. Key developments at the National Team Training Centre include the construction of an Air Dome, eco-friendly pitch renovations, and the installation of new artificial turf pitches and floodlights.

Efforts to empower women in the game have also been a priority, following the recent appointment of Oyunchimeg Surenkhor as MFF General Secretary. With a background in the banking and financial sector, she has committed to prioritising accessibility for female participants.

On the pitch, the MFF has set the ambitious goal of breaking into the top 100 of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking. To support this, the federation is leveraging the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, which includes an Elite Academy Project comprising 240 players and 14 AFC A-level coaches.

Mongolia is also benefitting from grassroots initiatives, such as FIFA Football for Schools, which launched in the country in April 2022, and the recent U-13 and U-12 Futsal Grassroots Championships held in Ulaanbaatar.