The international governing body for football, FIFA, has turned down Zelensky’s request to address the World Cup final on the stadium stage, a decision reported by CNN. The Ukrainian president had hoped to reach fans through a video link during the decisive match, and discussions between FIFA and Kyiv on the idea are continuing. It remains to be seen whether Zelensky would deliver a live message or if a filmed address would be shown to the audience.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar kicked off on November 20 and is scheduled to conclude on December 18. In the tournament’s opening game, the host nation lost to Ecuador with a 2-0 scoreline. Qatar finished their group stage with three losses and a total goal difference of 1 for and 7 against, which ended their campaign early in the group phase.
The championship final is set for December 18 at Lusail Iconic Stadium, where France and Argentina are slated to meet in the title clash. In a dramatic route to the final, Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 in the semifinals, with captain Lionel Messi finding the back of the net and Julian Alvarez contributing a brace. France, meanwhile, edged past Morocco 2-0, with Theo Hernandez and Colo Muani among the scorers who propelled their team forward.
Earlier discussions about what FIFA earned from Qatar 2022 drew media attention, highlighting the financial outcomes tied to one of the sport’s most watched events. The tournament has already produced a mix of surprising results, standout performances, and ongoing debates about hosting rights, national team strategy, and the economic impact of the World Cup on the host nation and participating squads. The broader context includes how broadcasters, sponsors, and local fans experience the tournament and how governing bodies balance tradition with the evolving commercial landscape of global football, as reported by various outlets, including CNN.