00:06For the first time in its history, FIFA took its annual congress to Paraguay in 2025.
00:13It was an opportunity for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to promote football as a mechanism to help unite the world
00:20during a period of global instability.
00:23Football does indeed unite the world. This is not just our motto. This is a reality.
00:32And I have to say that after the last few days as well, spending time with some of the world
00:40leaders, I think I can really say here, also on behalf of the entire football family, that we all want
00:48to unite.
00:50We all want to bring everyone together. We want peace. And this has to be a call from all of
00:56us for peace in the world to put aside all the conflicts and to unite.
01:02And football can definitely play a role in that. So 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 and most the president of the president posed the open question about the centenary World Cup and
01:48but all ideas are welcome, but no specific ideas have been discussed.
01:55Infantino also took the opportunity to reassure delegates that the United States would be a welcoming host.
02:01Despite the Trump administration's hostile rhetoric towards foreign visitors.
02:07I think it's important to say one thing very clear. We had a meeting last week of the White House
02:17task force on FIFA World Cups.
02:21And the world is welcome in America. Of course, the players, of course, everyone involved, all of us, but definitely
02:31also all the fans.
02:33And let's be clear about that. This doesn't come from me. This comes from the American government.
02:39Everyone 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.
02:50Well, they are not welcome. They are not welcome anywhere in the world. Actually, let me be clear about that
02:54as well.
02:54They are not welcome in football.
03:00Infantino's message was reinforced by Vittoria Montaliani, the Canadian president of CONCACAF.
03:06The confederation responsible for organizing the 2026 tournament.
03:12Obviously, I'm Canadian, so everybody is welcome in Canada and Mexico and USA.
03:17They are, you know, as much as they're also FIFA members, they're CONCACAF members.
03:20So I know how they are. So I'm sure, you know, everybody will be welcome 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.
03:32But I think the whole world will be welcome in those three countries.
03:35Thanks.
Comments