FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he would be open to North Korea hosting a World Cup to help “unite the world”.
Infantino gave a lengthy, wide-ranging speech on the eve of the controversial World Cup in Qatar, hitting back at criticism, claiming to empathise with marginalised groups and accusing western media of “hypocrisy”.
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The Swiss-born chief said it was not beyond possibility that football’s showpiece event could one day take place in North Korea — and admitted he had previously tried to convince the isolated dictatorship to be involved as a FIFA tournament host.
Infantino, who is set to be re-elected for a third term, said: “FIFA is a global football organisation. We are football people, not politicians, and we want to bring people together.
“Any country can host an event. If North Korea wants to host something…
“I actually went to North Korea some years ago to ask the North Koreans if they were ready to host part of a Women’s World Cup with South Korea. Well, I was not successful, obviously, but I would go another 100 times if it would help.
“Only engagement can bring real change. We’re a global organisation and want to remain an organisation that unites the world.”
Japan and South Korea jointly hosted the 2002 World Cup but North Korea has never hosted a major football tournament. Kim Jong-un heads one of the world’s most secretive states and North Korea has this year increased its missile testing around the divided Korean peninsula.
Infantino had previously told all 32 competing nations to “focus on the football” but used his news conference to defend Qatar and urge “understanding” of different beliefs.
“I’m still convinced that this World Cup will open the eyes of many people from the western world to the Arab world,” he said.
“We’re living in the same world, we have to live together. We have to understand each other but also understand that we’re different too, with beliefs, different history, different backgrounds, but the same world. And we have to get along with each other.
“That’s why if you come here and see something wrong, say it, but also say how we can rectify it, please, so maybe we can help.”
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(Photo: Getty Images)