Following the Brazil great’s death, FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants every nation to name a stadium after Pele.
Gianni Infantino has asked each country to name one stadium after Pele in a tribute to the Brazil great.
Pele, the only man to win the World Cup three times as a player, died last week aged 82.
Brazil entered a national period of mourning after Pele’s death.
Pele’s coffin was placed in the center circle at the Urbano Caldeira stadium in Sao Paulo, home of his former club Santos, and FIFA president Infantino was in attendance on Monday.
“We will ask that all countries in the world have at least one stadium with the name of Pelé,” Infantino told reporters in Brazil.
“[It will be] for the kids to know Pele’s importance [to football].”
Naming a sports venue after a former player is not unusual, for example Hungary’s Puskas Arena and Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena.
However, it is more unusual for players outside of their home country, although again not unlikely.
Serie A side Napoli have renamed their home ground the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in memory of the Argentine great following his death in 2020.
South Korea’s Gwangju World Cup stadium, meanwhile, was named after Dutchman Guus Hiddink, who led the nation to fourth place at the 2004 World Cup.
Pelé, whose 77 goals for Brazil is a joint record, is due to be laid to rest on Tuesday.
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