FIFA, the international governing body of association football, will ask every country in the world to name a stadium in honour of Pelé.
The association's president, Gianni Infantino, who is in Brazil for his funeral, told local reporters that "we're going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pelé."
Pelé died on December 29th, aged 82, following a battle with colon cancer.
Mr. Infantino released a statement on the day of Pele’s death which began, "for everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pelé."
There were plans to name the Maracana Stadium in Rio after Pelé in 2021, however the name change was halted by the state governor at the time.
This firework tribute to Pele is incredible 🥺💚
(via @santos_agora) pic.twitter.com/51c2JBs9wd
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 2, 2023
His coffin was placed inside the Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos on Monday (2nd), the home ground of the club where he spent virtually his entire career.
After thousands of football fans say their final farewells, his coffin will be carried through the streets of Santos to the home of his 100-year-old mother, before a private burial on Tuesday.
Pelé's glittering 20-year career from 1957 to 1977 saw him score 757 goals in 831 games, although Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000.
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, he remains the only footballer in history to win the World Cup three times, leading Brazil to glory in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Leagues around the world have been paying tribute to Pelé over the last few days, including the Premier League, which honoured him with a minute's applause before every match in the most recent round of fixtures.
