FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for global unity through football, urging nations to embrace peace amid rising geopolitical tensions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking during an online FIFA Council meeting in Zurich, the FIFA president highlighted the unique role of football in bringing people together, particularly during periods of global uncertainty and conflict.
Infantino acknowledged the limitations of football’s influence in resolving international disputes but stressed that the sport remains a powerful platform for promoting unity and solidarity.
“FIFA can’t solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the FIFA World Cup to build bridges and promote peace as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence of the ongoing wars,” he said.
The FIFA president further urged all participating nations to approach the tournament in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect, as preparations intensify for the expanded 48-team competition set to take place in 2026.
Beyond the message of unity, Infantino also outlined FIFA’s financial outlook and development ambitions for the coming years. The global governing body is projecting a record revenue of 14 billion US dollars for the 2027 to 2030 cycle, driven largely by the commercial success of the FIFA World Cup.
He emphasised that these funds would be reinvested into the development of football worldwide through initiatives such as the FIFA Forward programme.
“FIFA is fulfilling its mission to improve and promote the game globally by reinvesting unprecedented resources into football,” Infantino said. “This is not just about numbers, but about concrete outcomes, such as more opportunities to compete at the highest level for men, women and youth players, as well as better infrastructure and enhanced access to technology across all our FIFA Member Associations, to mention but a few.”
Infantino also pointed to the broader impact of the World Cup, describing it as a key driver of growth and accessibility within the sport.
“FIFA has taken massive strides in terms of football investment in the past ten years. This wouldn’t have been possible without the FIFA World Cup, which remains our main source of income. A successful FIFA World Cup means more children playing football and benefiting from its educational power, more pitches and more capacity-building across the world.”
With the 2026 tournament on the horizon, Infantino’s message reinforces FIFA’s position that football can serve as a unifying force, even as the world navigates complex political and humanitarian challenges.
