FIFA President: Football Can't Solve Conflict But Brings Messages Of Peace And Unity

PFA President Jibril Rajoub with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. (Instagram/gianni_infantino)

JAKARTA - FIFA President Gianni Infantino said football could not resolve the conflict, but had to bring a message of peace and unity.

He said Thursday when meeting with Palestinian Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub, while increasing Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and other global tensions, sparked calls for the sport to take a stand.

"At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to unite people in a divided world," Infantino said at a meeting of the FIFA Council in Zurich where he met with the President of the Palestinian Federation.

"Our thoughts with those suffering in the various conflicts that are happening around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey at this time is peace and unity," he added.

Infantino said the world football governing body could not resolve the geopolitical crisis, but "could and should promote football around the world by utilizing its unifying values, education, culture and humanity."

"I met the President of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) Jibril Rajoub today at FIFA headquarters in Zurich to discuss the current situation in the Middle East region," Infantino wrote later on Instagram.

"I commend President Rajoub and PFA for their current resilience and I reaffirm FIFA's commitment to using the power of football to unite society in a divided world," he added.

FIFA has been repeatedly urged to act on the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials urging Israel to be suspended from international football.

This issue has been reviewed by FIFA for months, but no decision has yet been made. Infantino has consistently said such problems require consensus with confederation and must be handled carefully.

The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani stated that any decision regarding Israel's participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was UEFA's business, effectively putting responsibility on the European body.

"First and foremost, Israel is a member of the UEFA, just like I have to deal with members of my region, whatever the reason. They have to deal with that," Montagliani told reporters on Wednesday.

Israel is currently in third place in Group I of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the European zone.

Separately, Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA asking them to suspend the Israeli Football Association.