KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: President Gianni Infantino repeated his standard appeal for world peace after the FIFA Council met in Zurich amid growing opposition among European federations to Israel’s continuance in international competition.

European federation UEFA has reportedly put on hold an executive committee meeting which would have considered demands for Israel’s expulsion, pending the outcome of talks over a Gaza peace plan proposed by United States President Donald Trump.

Infantino said; “At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world. Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.

“FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”

A FIFA statement on the meeting content dealt first with a perceived need to “protect football from public and legal attacks and the continued lack of transparency, governance and stability of certain organisations.”

The statement did not name the organisation but noted that “the motivations of these organisations are outside of the established pyramid model that supports club and national team football at global, continental and national level.” FIFA needed to be “strong and united in the face of these attacks.”

Infantino added; “FIFA will continue to invite all stakeholders interested in a meaningful dialogue to protect players, to find the right balance between club and national team football at global level, and to improve football for the future.”

Committee appointments

Members of the newly created Standing Committees were appointed for the period 2025-2029. The list of appointed members will be published on FIFA.com, and, as a next step, candidates from stakeholders will be subsequently submitted to the FIFA Council for approval.

“The new Standing Committees will lead to the greater involvement of our Member Associations, the confederations and other stakeholders in our decision-making processes, increased female representation and more focused technical expertise in various areas relevant to football,” said the FIFA President. “In other words, FIFA will be better equipped to face the future.”

FIFA competitions

The FIFA Council was provided with a debrief of the successful FIFA Club World Cup 2025 by European Club Association chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi who “reiterated the global success of the tournament and the excitement from clubs for the future of the competition.”

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan will hosts the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027 and London will stage the four-match final phase of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2026 between January 28 and February 1.

The dates for next year’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place from next March 17 to April 3 were also added to the Women’s International Match Calendar.

####