FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s meeting with ICC Chairman Jay Shah on the sidelines of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan quietly underlined how global sport is becoming more interconnected than ever. While football and cricket often operate in parallel worlds, Infantino used the moment to acknowledge the strides cricket has made under Shah’s leadership and to look ahead to a landmark moment for the game: cricket’s return to the Olympic stage at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games.
Infantino didn’t hold back in his praise for the ICC chief, highlighting how cricket’s global footprint has expanded in recent years. “It was my pleasure to meet ICC Chairman Jay Shah today in Milan. The outstanding work he has done to grow the beautiful game of cricket is exemplary,” he said.
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He also pointed to the shared ambition of using sport as a unifying force, adding, “I also look forward to working together and collaborating as we unite the world through sports.” For cricket, the Olympic comeback in 2028 is more than symbolic; it’s a massive opportunity to reach new audiences, tap into younger demographics, and cement the sport’s relevance beyond its traditional strongholds.
The backdrop to this meeting is the grand opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics, which officially begin this Friday, with qualifying rounds already underway. The first medals will be awarded over the weekend, and the Games will culminate with the closing ceremony on February 22 at the Verona Olympic Arena.
What did FIFA President Gianni Infantino discuss with ICC Chief Jay Shah? On February 5, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met ICC Chief Jay Shah in Milan,
marking a significant moment in the intersection of football and cricket as both
sports prepare… https://t.co/ScNxe8sNl0 pic.twitter.com/3drmYrIMcz— NationPress (@np_nationpress) February 5, 2026
In a first for the Winter Games, the opening ceremony will unfold across multiple venues, with Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium serving as the centrepiece. Additional celebrations in Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d’Ampezzo will bring the spectacle closer to the athletes’ competition hubs.
From a storytelling perspective, this Olympics blends sport, culture, and spectacle. Performances by leading Italian and international artists, including Mariah Carey, add an entertainment layer to the sporting drama.
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With events split between Milan’s modern urban sprawl and the breathtaking alpine scenery of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites, the 2026 Winter Olympics promise a visually striking celebration of eight sports across 16 disciplines. For fans of global sport, moments like Infantino meeting Shah hint at a future where major federations collaborate more closely, amplifying sport’s power to connect the world.
