00:05For the first time in its history, FIFA took its annual congress to Paraguay in 2025.
00:12It was an opportunity for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to promote football as a mechanism to help unite the world
00:19during a period of global instability.
00:22Football does indeed unite the world. This is not just our motto. This is a reality.
00:31And I have to say that after the last few days as well, spending time with some of the world
00:39leaders,
00:40I think I can really say here also on behalf of the entire football family that we all want to
00:49unite.
00:49We all want to bring everyone together. We want peace.
00:53And this has to be a call from all of us for peace in the world to put aside all
00:59the conflicts and to unite.
01:01And football can definitely play a role in that.
01:06So let's all unite the world in peace and through football.
01:15Headline topics at the 75th annual congress included the robust health of FIFA's finances and the inaugural edition of the
01:23Club World Cup.
01:24The idea was also floated that the 2030 World Cup may include 64 teams, up from 48 in 2026 and
01:3432 in 2022.
01:36I think today, both the president of Comibor and the FIFA president posed the open question about the centenary World
01:47Cup.
01:47But all ideas are welcome, but no specific ideas have been discussed.
01:54Infantino also took the opportunity to reassure delegates that the United States would be a welcoming host, despite the Trump
02:02administration's hostile rhetoric towards foreign visitors.
02:05I think it's important to say one thing very clear.
02:11We had a meeting last week of the White House task force on FIFA World Cups and the world is
02:21welcome in America.
02:24Of course, the players, of course, everyone involved, all of us, but definitely also all the fans.
02:32And let's be clear about that. This doesn't come from me. This comes from the American government.
02:38Everyone is welcome. Obviously, those who want to come and celebrate football, those who want to come to create trouble,
02:47like in every country in the world.
02:49Well, they are not welcome. They are not welcome anywhere in the world. Actually, let me be clear about that
02:53as well. They are not welcome in football.
02:59Infantino's message was reinforced by Vittoria Montaliani, the Canadian president of CONCACAF, the confederation responsible for organizing the 2026 tournament.
03:11Obviously, I'm Canadian, so everybody is welcome in Canada, in Mexico and USA.
03:16They are, you know, as much as they are also FIFA members, they are CONCACAF members, so I know how
03:20they are.
03:21So, I'm sure, you know, everybody will be welcomed with open arms.
03:25Listen, countries have laws. Those three countries have laws, like the country here.
03:29So, obviously, people have to abide by them and respect the laws, but I think the whole world will be
03:33welcomed in those three countries.
03:34So, thank you, please.
03:35Thank you, everybody.
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