Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president, is in Bermuda today for a short stay on his way to a summit meeting in the Caribbean.

The Swiss, who succeeded Sepp Blatter in February 2016 and whose election promises included expanding the World Cup finals to 48 countries, is the first Fifa president to visit Bermuda in more than 30 years. During his brief visit he will meet with Bermuda Football Association officials, including president Mark Wade.

“The president in en route to a summit meeting in the Caribbean; obviously he has to pass Bermuda, and he saw fit to pay a visit to Bermuda,” said David Sabir, the BFA general secretary.

“It’s just a short stopover visit on his way to Turks and Caicos and then Jamaica. On behalf of the association, I am thrilled that the Fifa president has taken the time through his travel schedule to pay a visit to Bermuda.

“He is the leader of our sport and anytime we have the opportunity to greet him and talk about football, it is a moment to be treasured. We are hoping that those who have been invited to meet the president take that opportunity. There are 200-plus member associations that he has to think about getting to, so we are grateful that he has taken the time to come here.”

Prior to the election, Infantino indicated he would be interested in increasing the number of teams in the World Cup to 40 teams, later suggesting that 48 teams could play in the tournament. That proposal was approved by the Fifa Council in January of last year, giving hope to smaller countries of one day qualifying for the World Cup.

Wade welcomed the increase of teams competing in the World Cup from 2026, saying it is a boost for smaller countries such as Bermuda.

“Expanding the World Cup has its pros and cons but, overall, it is a positive thing,” Wade told The Royal Gazette last year. “Maybe it will help raise the standards for the countries that are typically outside of the World Cup.

“We are a bit of a way from the powerhouses in global football, but it certainly gives hope to the teams just outside that 32 World Cup list.”

Infantino, 47, was elected Fifa president on February 26 last year after serving as secretary-general of Uefa, the European governing body, replacing Blatter, who received a six-year ban for ethics violations.