On Monday, 21 January 2008, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke
had the pleasure of welcoming the former President of the Republic of South Africa, Frederik Willem de
Klerk, and his wife to FIFA headquarters in Zurich. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed as President Blatter and de Klerk discussed the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa and the current political situation in the host country.
“This is a great occasion for us. We are very happy to welcome you here as our guest,” the FIFA President told the former South African head of state. De Klerk, who was President of the Republic of South Africa between 1989 and 1994 and who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela in 1993, was full of confidence about the World Cup: “The 2010 World Cup is helping our socio-cultural development. I am very optimistic because everyone in South Africa wants the World Cup to be a success.”
The social aspect of football was another point on the agenda. “You are doing magnificent work all over the world,” de Klerk said in praise of FIFA’s social programmes. “We want to help,” President Blatter replied. “Football means hope and brings the peoples of the world together.”

On 6 February, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter took part in the centenary celebrations of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
Four years on from FIFA’s own centennial festivities, President Blatter joined former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, IIHF President Rene Fasel and artist Rosa Serra at the IIHF headquarters in Zurich to unveil a striking ice hockey-themed sculpture that Serra has created in honour of the organisation’s 100th anniversary.

On Monday, 28 January 2008 at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Joseph S. Blatter received an Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) delegation led by President Karim Keramuddin. In a friendly and constructive meeting, Blatter and Keramuddin discussed the development of the game and FIFA’s Goal project in Afghanistan. “I am delighted to be here at the Home of FIFA, meeting the FIFA President,” the AFF president commented. “Largely due to FIFA’s assistance, football is developing and making great progress in our country. The progress in youth and women’s football is especially positive. FIFA’s Goal project is extremely beneficial in this respect. With FIFA’s help, we want to continue this positive development as well as we possibly can. I am very grateful to FIFA for its support.”