FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ICC Chairman Jay Shah Collaborate for Olympic Cricket
FIFA President Meets ICC Chairman
In a significant moment for global sports, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Jay Shah, the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), in Milan. Infantino shared a photo on Instagram, praising Shah for his contributions to the growth of cricket and wishing him success as the sport prepares to return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with Shah to 'unite the world through sports.'
"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. I wish him and everyone the very best as cricket gets re-introduced to the Summer Olympic Games in two years' time. I also look forward to working together and collaborating as we unite the world through sports," Gianni stated.
Cricket's Grand Olympic Return
The reintroduction of cricket to the Olympics marks a significant milestone in the sport's international growth, showcasing it on one of the largest sporting platforms globally.
A 128-Year Wait
This announcement is a historic moment for cricket, as it will be the sport's second Olympic appearance, 128 years after its first in Paris 1900, where Great Britain won gold against France in a single match. The qualification process for the LA28 Olympic Games is still to be determined, with discussions expected during the ICC's Annual Conference in Singapore starting July 17.
This will only be the second time cricket has featured in the Olympics since its debut in 1900, when only Great Britain and France competed. The sport's inclusion in the Olympics highlights its increasing popularity, especially with women's cricket making its Commonwealth Games debut in 2022 in Birmingham. Both men's and women's cricket have been part of the Asian Games since 2010, 2014, and 2023.
LA28 Schedule Announced
Following the confirmation of the number of teams and venues for LA28 announced in April last year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has revealed that the T20 competitions for both men's and women's categories will take place from July 12 to July 29, 2028.