President Zelensky asked that a message of peace delivered by him via video be broadcast before the 2022 World Cup final match. FIFA turned down his request, citing its determination to keep politics out of the championship. Instead, Zelensky released his message via social media accounts.

It’s a good message, one that encourages peace and an end to war. Zelensky has been able to incorporate his video messages into major events over the course of the war and it was a shock to him when FIFA said no. War and peace are political subjects, though, there is no getting around that, no matter how benign the message. Zelensky was hoping to connect soccer (football) and its unifying effect on people around the world.

This @ZelenskyyUa’s message of world peace could be heard prior to kickoff at the @FIFAWorldCup final.

There is still time for #FIFA to show the video before the game that unites people and symbolizes fairplay. Don’t be afraid that the world will hear the words of peace. pic.twitter.com/8vAzL0wGer

— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) December 18, 2022

It’s ironic now to remember the last World Cup was held in Russia. FIFA needs to reconsider its selection process in choosing host nations for the World Cup. Qatar had its kerfuffles to deal with including LGBTQ activists and human rights protesters over reports of slave labor used in building the facilities for the world competition. There was the last minute decision to not sell beer during the games, too, though Budweiser thought it had a contract to do so. A female reporter was robbed during a live broadcast. There were some problems.

Zelensky voiced criticism of FIFA’s rejection. The message of peace focused on a unifying tone and even included mention of a winter global peace summit. The video lasts one minute, 43 seconds.

The president said: ‘Warm greetings from Ukraine to all fans of football, life and peace. I congratulate the whole planet on the World Cup final.

This is the dream of so many people when players compete making everyone enjoy peace. Every father would like to take his son to a football match all over the world and every mother would like her son to be back from war.

‘Whenever it is, Ukraine strives for peace more than anything else. We offered peace formally to the world, we offered it because there are no champions in war, there can be no draw.

‘I announce the initiative to hold a global peace formal summit this winter. The summit to unite all nations of the world around the cause of global peace.

‘Stadiums and stands get empty after the match and after the war cities remain empty. That’s why wars must fail and peace is to become the champion as it is there in Qatar now. The World Cup but not the world war. It is possible.

Zelensky then concluded: ‘Please support Ukraine in our efforts to restore peace. Join the global peace formal summit and become a champion of peace. Let’s witness the final together and end the war. Slava Ukraini (glory to Ukraine) and Happy Qatar Day.’

Clearly, Zelensky wants to be seen as the peacemaker. He’s in a tough situation because Putin is not showing signs of retreating. Zelensky says there is no peace while Russia maintains annexation of Crimea.

Zelensky’s office issued a statement to CNN in which it slammed FIFA for their decision to not allow Zelensky’s message to be broadcast. It announced it would distribute the video independently if FIFA didn’t air it. And it did, via social media. Ukraine described it as a lost opportunity.

‘Qatar supported the President’s initiative, but FIFA blocked the initiative and will not allow the video address of the president to be shown before the final game.

‘FIFA has lost its valuable understanding of soccer – as a game that unites peoples, rather than supporting existing divisions.’

The Ukrainians denied there is political messaging in Zelensky’s message. There is “no subjective evaluations, political signals, and even more so no accusations.”

Congratulations to Argentina for winning the world title. Macron was in attendance and went on the field to offer comfort to France’s team. Interestingly enough, I saw a little nugget of information in the press and a photo of Elon Musk and Jared Kushner together also in attendance of the final match.