Infantino says World Cup can still unite a fractured world
A global stage for a familiar message
Gianni Infantino used the Davos economic forum to present football as a shared global language at a time of growing polarization. According to EFE, the FIFA president said the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is designed to bring people together across borders and cultures.
Infantino framed football as an accessible sport with a unique ability to reach every part of society. He argued that this reach gives FIFA a responsibility that extends beyond competition and entertainment.
Political overtones and calls for peace
Infantino acknowledged ongoing geopolitical tensions during his remarks and positioned FIFA as an organization that supports dialogue and stability. According to EFE, he praised U.S. President Donald Trump after the presentation of a peace board related to Gaza, emphasizing the importance of trust in global institutions.
He added that the host nations would play a key role in welcoming visitors, saying the United States would be prepared to receive fans from around the world.
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From barriers to cooperation
Reflecting on the joint North American bid, Infantino highlighted how political realities have shifted. According to EFE, he recalled that the idea of the United States and Mexico co hosting a World Cup once appeared unlikely, particularly during a period when relations between the two countries were marked by tension rather than partnership.
For Infantino, the eventual collaboration symbolized football’s capacity to overcome political divisions.
Qatar as a reference point
Infantino pointed to the 2022 World Cup as an example of how large sporting events can defy expectations. According to EFE, he said the tournament in Qatar faced widespread criticism before kickoff but unfolded without major incidents.
He described the event as a celebration that drew people together and said FIFA hopes to recreate that atmosphere when the tournament returns in 2026.
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An event built on unprecedented scale
The FIFA president also stressed the sheer size of the upcoming competition. According to EFE, FIFA has received around 500 million ticket requests in recent weeks and expects all seven million available tickets to be sold, despite concerns over pricing in some markets.
Infantino noted that the expanded format will include 104 matches in one month, comparing the scale of the tournament to hosting the Super Bowl more than one hundred times.
Why football still resonates globally
Infantino concluded by returning to the emotional appeal of the sport itself. According to EFE, he described the football as a simple object capable of helping people momentarily forget their everyday problems.
He ended with a personal reflection on the World Cup trophy, explaining that realizing he would never lift it as a player motivated him to pursue a different path within the sport, one that ultimately led him to the presidency of FIFA.
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Sources, EFE, MARCA
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