Libya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Taher el-Sonni, has discussed a Libyan proposal with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to adopt “Football Diplomacy” as an official framework within the international governing body, aiming to unite communities and bolster global peace and dialogue.
The discussions took place at the Libyan Mission in New York, where el-Sonni hosted the FIFA chief on the sidelines of World Football Day celebrations, an event co-organized by Libya and several other nations.
Advancing Libyan Football Ecosystem
The meeting addressed avenues of cooperation between FIFA and the Libyan Football Federation, focusing on delivering technical and logistical assistance to upgrade the domestic game, thereby improving performance standards and sports infrastructure nationwide.
El-Sonni also extended an official invitation to Infantino to visit Libya to personally assess the state of the sports sector and review current infrastructural developmental requirements.
Sports as a Conduit for Global Harmony
Both officials emphasized the importance of leveraging football as a catalyst for sustainable development, stability, and cultural rapprochement, highlighting Libya’s aspiration to transform the world’s most popular sport into a viable diplomatic and cross-cultural tool.
El-Sonni praised the FIFA president’s participation in the World Football Day festivities, reaffirming the value of the partnership to champion peace and coexistence through athletics.
This diplomatic engagement follows the UN General Assembly’s 2024 adoption of World Football Day, an initiative originally spearheaded by Libya, Tajikistan, and Bahrain. Backed by more than 170 member states, the resolution officially designated May 25 as a global day to celebrate the sport.