Gianni Infantino has defended FIFA’s decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, highlighting its potential to unify global football despite concerns about human rights. He stressed the importance of relationships with political leaders and expressed hope for Russia’s football reintegration if peace is achieved following the Ukraine conflict.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lauded the decision to award Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup, emphasizing the unifying nature of the event. This designation came during a FIFA Congress in December, which has faced criticism due to concerns regarding the kingdom’s human rights practices and treatment of migrant workers. Despite these challenges, Infantino asserts the importance of inclusivity in global football and champions a positive outlook for the future of the sport in the Middle East.
Infantino reiterated that Saudi Arabia’s bid garnered high scores in FIFA evaluations, categorizing it as a “medium risk” regarding human rights. He highlights the series of World Cups scheduled across different continents, including upcoming tournaments in North America, South America, Africa, and Europe. Infantino believes this approach fosters global engagement and integration within the football community.
The FIFA head also addressed questions surrounding his rapport with former President Donald Trump. Infantino noted the significance of maintaining strong ties with American leadership to ensure successful tournament preparations, especially with the FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup being hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
On the topic of Russia’s potential reintegration into world football, Infantino expressed optimism for peace negotiations following the Ukraine conflict. He stated, “We all hope that peace talks will be successful, because I think it is important that we support it for the world, much more than for football, that we have peace. If there is a little role that football can play, once peace is there, then of course, we’ll play our role.”
In summary, Gianni Infantino has defended FIFA’s decision to grant Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup, emphasizing the positive impact on global football. He reiterated the importance of inclusivity and his commitment to fostering connections with influential leaders, such as former President Trump. Infantino also showed hope for the future involvement of nations like Russia in world football contingent upon peace negotiations succeeding.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
