FIFA president, Gianni Infantino has suggested that the power of football in uniting people can be employed in ending the war in Ukraine as he hopes that Russia, hosts of the 2018 world cup can return to the football landscape.
Infantino, who is attending the uefa congress in belgrade, mentioned in his speech that the opportunity sports and football present for people to interact with one another could be utilized in fostering peace in ukraine.
“we need to use every opportunity to make sure that people speak to each other, come with each other, and sport and football in particular can be a vehicle. And as the talks are going on for peace and in ukraine,
I hope that we can soon move to the next page, bring back as well russia in the football landscape, because this would mean that everything is solved. That’s what we have to cheer for. That’s what we have to pray for because that is what football is about. It’s not about dividing. It’s about uniting girls, uniting boys, uniting people from wherever they are.”
Reacting to Infantino UEFA president alexander Cefferin affirmed that Russia will only return to football in Europe when the war ends.
Speaking further the fifa chief also hinted about the destinations for the 2031- and 2035-women’s world cup.
“as part of the bidding process, we received one bid for (20)31 and one bid, valid bid i should add, for (20)35. The ’31 bid is from the united states of america and potentially some other concacaf members together, and the ’35 bid is from europe, from the home nations (uk). So the path is there for the women’s world cup to be taking place in ’31 and ’35 in some great countries and some great nations to boost even more the women’s football movement.”
Infantino also said that FIFA is already in talks with the international Olympics committee to expand the women’s Olympic competition to 16 nations aligning with the gender equity campaign of the United Nations.
