November 16, Bali, Indonesia - Football unites the world - Interview with FIFA President Infantino
FIFA President Gianni on the eve of the opening of the World Cup in Qatar - In an interview with Xinhua, Infantino said that soccer is not just a sport, but its cultural value and influence can unite the world.
On the sidelines of the 17th summit of G20 leaders in Bali, Indonesia, Infantino called on all parties to put aside disputes and conflicts during the World Cup in Qatar and to use soccer as a medium to enjoy the joys of the quadrennial sporting event.
Infantino said soccer is a team sport that promotes tolerance, cooperation and passion. He hopes to use the World Cup as an opportunity to build a bridge between countries and regions and bring joy to fans around the world. "Soccer has a unique charm that brings people together."
The theme of the summit was "Recovering Together, Recovering Strongly". As the leader of the world's largest single sports federation, Infantino said that soccer is not only a popular sport, but also a major economic activity that generates hundreds of billions of dollars in economic value and millions of jobs. The growth of the soccer industry also contributes to the recovery of the global economy.
The 2022 World Cup finals will be held in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, the first time the World Cup will be held in the Middle East. Infantino expects nearly 5 billion people in the world to watch the games. "The World Cup will unite happiness and solidarity and send hope to the world."
Infantino also touched on the topic of China's plan to apply for the 2031 Women's World Cup, arguing that it would help promote the development of soccer in China and even in Asia. He said the world's soccer market is unevenly distributed, mainly concentrated in European countries, but this means that the soccer market in other regions has great potential.
Infantino said there is no doubt that China is an important part of the development of world soccer. From national teams to clubs, Chinese soccer is the first choice for development. He expects the Chinese women's soccer team to do well in next year's World Cup.
Infantino said FIFA has been working with China to have a broader base of soccer culture in the country. The core value of soccer is to expose more children to soccer at an early age, to develop team spirit and respect for opponents.
"For soccer fans, keep playing the game. Whether you are young or mentally young, when you get the ball you smile with joy." Infantino said.
Infantino, an Italian-Swiss, also expressed regret that Italy failed to secure a ticket to the World Cup in Qatar. He told Chinese fans in particular, "We are companions. Let's watch the World Cup together, enjoy the soccer, and look forward to China and Italy participating in the next World Cup."
