Infantino: "We want the World Cup to take place as planned"

T he FIFA Council met today to approve its budget for the 2027-2030 period. Gianni Infantino took the opportunity to make a plea for peace amid the conflict that continues to grow on a large scale between the United States and Israel against Iran. The FIFA president highlights the power of soccer and this summer's World Cup as a tool to build bridges and promote peace. In turn, he makes it clear that he is confident that the schedule will remain as it is set, despite the possibility that Iran will play its matches in Mexico, and calls on all participating teams to maintain mutual respect.

"FIFA cannot solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the FIFA World Cup to build bridges and promote peace , as our thoughts are with those suffering the consequences of current wars," said the president.

"FIFA expects all teams participating in the FIFA World Cup to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect. We have a schedule. We will soon have the 48 participating teams confirmed, and we want the FIFA World Cup to go ahead as planned," he added. "

Following the Council meeting, the projected record revenue budget is $14 billion for the 2027-2030 cycle and FIFA Forward investment will reach $2.7 billion, an eightfold increase on the pre-2016 period.

Sanction Israel

On the other hand, FIFA reports that following the proposal submitted by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) at the 74th FIFA Congress and the subsequent decision of the FIFA Council to instruct the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to investigate the alleged infringement of discrimination submitted by the PFA, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided that the Israel Football Association (IFA) has committed numerous infringements of its obligations as a member association of FIFA.

As a result, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed the following sanctions on the IFA for breaching articles 13 (Offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play) and 15 (Discrimination and racist acts) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC): The IFA is fined CHF 150,000, subject to the provisions set out below. The IFA is warned for its conduct.

The IFA is ordered to implement a prevention plan in accordance with the following guidelines: The IFA is ordered to display at its next three (3) matches played by its senior national team at home in a FIFA competition a prominent and clearly visible banner with the slogan "Football Unites the World - No to Discrimination" alongside the IFA emblem. The IFA shall submit to FIFA for approval the size and design of the banner, as well as its location in the stadium, no later than fifteen days before each match.