FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it should bear a message of peace and unity as the military operation of Israel in Gaza and other global tensions that the sport calls for a position.
«At FIFA we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,» Infantino said a FIFA meeting meeting in Zurich.
«Our thoughts are with those who suffer in the many conflicts that nowadays exist all over the world, and the most important message that football can now convey is one of peace and unity.»
Infantino said that the administrative body of World Football could not solve geopolitical crises, but «it can and must promote football all over the world by using uniting, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.»
FIFA has confronted with repeated calls to act during the war in Gaza, where Palestinian officials insist on Israel to be suspended from international football.
The issue was assessed by FIFA for months, but no decision has been made. Infantino has consistently said that such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.
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The comments came a day after the FIFA -Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that a decision about Israel’s participation in European competitions, including qualifications of World Cup, was a matter for UEFA to decide, which actually put the mind on the European organ.
«First and foremost, the (Israel) member of UEFA is no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason … they have to deal with that,» Montagliani said reporters on the leaders of the Business Business leaders on Wednesday.
Israel is third in Europe Group I of the qualifying phase for next year’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA on Wednesday that called them to suspend the Israel Football Association.
Published on October 2, 2025
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