President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine used his Instagram account to share a message ahead of the World Cup final in Qatar. The post aimed to convey a hope for unity and peace, but FIFA rejected it on the grounds that it violated political neutrality. The decision framed the episode as a clash between a call for peace and the governing body’s policy on politics at the tournament. The stance sparked discussion among fans and officials about how public figures can participate in global events without breaking venue rules.
“The World Cup once proved that differences between people and nations should be settled in fair play, not in heated exchanges.” This is the gist of Zelensky’s message as reported by the Ukrinform portal, which highlighted the President’s attempt to frame the match as a shared moment of sportsmanship and reconciliation.
“When players compete, we all experience peace,” Zelensky added in his message, underscoring the idea that the tournament could serve as a platform for unity beyond political divides.
In the speech, the Ukrainian leader urged international support for peace in his country and used a symbolic gesture as part of his appeal, presenting an arrow aimed toward the crowd. He invited viewers to watch the final together and to witness the end of the match without the shadow of conflict lingering over it.
Ukrainian presidential sources indicated that Zelensky had asked FIFA to allow a video message before the World Cup final. The situation unfolded amid a closely contested match between Argentina and France that Sunday, a context that amplified the debate about the role of political messaging in a global sports event (Ukrinform).
However, Ukrinform noted that FIFA declined the request, reiterating the policy intended to keep the competition free from political endorsements or statements during the games.
Observers described the episode as a tension between sport and politics, with the World Cup traditionally viewed as a stage for shared human stories rather than political pressure. The discussion touched on broader questions about the limits of public figures using major sports platforms to convey messages tied to ongoing conflicts, and how such messages are interpreted by diverse international audiences (Ukrinform).