Football goes beyond just being a game but rather a platform that seeks to transform and unite society.
Its global appeal makes it a golden platform to talk about issues that affect society and it is upon this background that the FIFA council that met on Thursday, 2nd October 2025 called for peace in Gaza.
The Council meeting which took place at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland dopted key decisions on a variety of topics, including football governance and competitions.
In light of global tensions and geopolitical conflicts, in his opening remarks, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stressed the importance of promoting peace and unity, particularly in the context of the ongoing situation in Gaza.
“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,” said Mr Infantino, who also acknowledged the constant dialogue with confederation presidents on this matter.
“FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
The Gaza war is an armed conflict in the Gaza Strip and Israel, fought as part of the unresolved Israeli–Palestinian and Gaza–Israel conflicts dating back to the 20th century. The war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel, in which 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 815 civilians, were killed. 251 were taken hostage with the stated goal of forcing Israel to release Palestinian prisoners.
Since the start of the Israeli offensive that followed, over 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, almost half of them women and children, and more than 169,000 injured.