England were the first team to arrive in Qatar for the World Cup tonight just as FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged the combatants in Ukraine to halt hostilities during the global football tournament.
FIFA has launched its “Football Unites the World” campaign with a video featuring star players including Neymar, Karim Benzema and Edouard Mendy in a bid to shift the world’s attention to the tournament, which begins on Sunday.
Infantino said: “Although football is and should be our main focus, the FIFA World Cup is also about values and causes that extend far beyond the pitch and we are delighted that football stars past and present have joined us to promote and highlight these topics, which also unite the whole world.”
The FIFA boss also called for a one-month ceasefire in Ukraine to mark the World Cup, saying sport could bring people together.
Ukraine has been under incessant attack from Russia since February when the country was invaded by its more powerful neighbour.
Infantino told leaders of the Group of 20 major economies gathered in Bali, Indonesia that he was not ‘naive’ enough to believe the World Cup could solve the world’s problems, but argued that the tournament offered a ‘unique platform’.
“My plea to all of you is to think on a temporary ceasefire for one month, for the duration of the World Cup..or anything that could lead to the resumption of dialogue as a first step to peace,” he said.
England, led by Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, arrived in Qatar this evening hoping to go one better than four years ago when they lost in the semi-finals.
The Three Lions are seeking their first major title since winning the World Cup on home soil in 1966. The semi-finals they reached in Russia in 2018 was their best World Cup run since 1990 in Italy.
The Netherlands, whose outspoken coach Louis van Gaal has not hidden his opinion that Qatar should never have been allowed to host the World Cup, are also due to arrive in Qatar tonight.
There will be 32 teams in Qatar for the global showpiece, which is being held in the middle of the club football season for the first time.
The tournament will end on December 18.
