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FIFA 'cannot solve geopolitical problems' like Gaza, says Infantino

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Thursday football "cannot solve geopolitical problems", as he comes under pressure to suspend Israel over the Palestinian conflict.

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(FILES) FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the welcome session of the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok on May 17, 2024. FIFA called for "peace" in Gaza on October 2, 2025, but "it cannot resolve geopolitical problems," according to its president, Gianni Infantino, who refrained from responding to growing calls to suspend the Israeli FA. Referring to "the ongoing situation in Gaza" at the opening of the closed-door meeting of the body's council, the Italian-Swiss leader said that "the power of football" was to "unite people in a divided world," offering "a message of peace and unity." Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP

2025-10-02 21:05:32

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Thursday football "cannot solve geopolitical problems", as he comes under pressure to suspend Israel over the Palestinian conflict.

The sport's world governing body said in a statement that at a meeting of the FIFA Council, Infantino "stressed the importance of promoting peace and unity, particularly in the context of the ongoing situation in Gaza".

“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world," Infantino said.

"Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity."

He added: "FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values."

FIFA banned Russia in 2022, shortly after Russian forces invaded Ukraine -- despite the fact that Russia hosted the World Cup finals four years earlier.

© Agence France-Presse

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