FIFA President Gianni Infantino calls for unity within football, but avoids Russia talk

By Samindra Kunti at UEFA Congress in Brussels

February 12 – At the UEFA Congress, FIFA President Gianni Infantino beat the drum for unity in football ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but shied away from calling for Russian reintegration again.

The FIFA supremo congratulated UEFA, European Football Clubs and Real Madrid on mending their relationship, demanding the floor to clap hands before highlighting the European Super League agreement as an example of football’s much-needed unity in turbulent, geopolitical times. “Football wins when we unite,” said Infantino.

He struck a conciliatory tone and did not refer to Russia – following comments to SKy News suggesting the country should be reintroduced to the international football ranks.

It was a marked contrast with the speech he delivered at last year’s UEFA Congress in Belgrade when Infantino grabbed the headlines calling for a conditioned return of Russia to the game. Russia has been sidelined from the international game since their invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

However, in Brussels, the word Russia was missing from his speech. Ukraine’s Football Association, and its President Andriy Shevchenko, have sought a meeting with Infantino in the Belgian capital, while Russian delegates expressed a sense of momentum following the FIFA President’s interview with Sky News.

Instead, this time, Infantino, unsurprisingly, demanded unity from the football family ahead of the global finals this summer. The U.S., Canada and Mexico will stage the first supersized 48-team World Cup, but under the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, including his recent suggestion to annex Greenland, the U.S.’s co-hosting has come under intense scrutiny

Infantino said: “The World Cup will have to be, and will be, a symbol of unity, of peace, of solidarity, of bringing everyone together in a peaceful, in a joyful atmosphere.”

No doubt that the FIFA boss will repeat that tune at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, in April, as the kick-off of the global finals draws nearer.

Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1770891101labto1770891101ofdlr1770891101owedi1770891101sni@i1770891101tnuk.1770891101ardni1770891101mas1770891101