The head of soccer’s world governing physique FIFA issued a plea on Tuesday for a ceasefire within the struggle in Ukraine during the World Cup, calling on all sides to make use of the match as a “positive trigger” to work in the direction of a decision. carried out for.
Speaking throughout a lunch with leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) main economies on the Indonesian island of Bali, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated the month-long World Cup, beginning in Qatar on Sunday, marked a singular quest for peace. offered the platform.
“I request all of you to consider a temporary ceasefire for a month for the duration of the World Cup, or at least the implementation of some humanitarian corridors or anything that would lead to the resumption of talks as a first step towards peace can do. ,” Infantino stated.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino waits earlier than a working lunch on the G20 summit on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo by way of AP)
“You are the chief of the world, you may have the power to affect the course of historical past. Football and the World Cup are offering you and the world with a singular platform of unity and peace everywhere in the world.
The World Cup will happen from November 20 to December 18 in Qatar, the primary nation within the Middle East to host soccer’s showpiece occasion.
Russia reached the quarter-finals of the final World Cup in 2018, however was barred from the match due to its invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine got here near qualifying for Qatar however misplaced to Wales within the deciding playoff in June.
Infantino famous that Russia hosted the 2018 version and Ukraine is bidding to carry the 2030 contest, whereas 5.5 billion individuals are anticipated to observe this yr’s occasion, which may ship a message of hope.
“Maybe the current World Cup, starting in five days, is a positive trigger,” he added.
32 groups will compete in Qatar with a complete of 64 matches, from former champions Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France and Spain to Japan, Senegal, Costa Rica and Saudi Arabia.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
