FIFA president Gianni Infantino has told a Swiss Sunday paper he is not concerned about the 2022 World Cup despite the political tensions around tournament hosts Qatar.
Gulf nations Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain; as well as Egypt, Yemen and Mauritania severed all links with the tiny yet wealthy peninsular state over alleged support for terrorism early in the week.
Qatar were controversially elected hosts of the 2022 World cup by the ruling body FIFA but Infantino said in an interview with Le Matin Dimanche paper he expects the crisis to be solved.
"We are confronted with a diplomatic crisis in Qatar at the moment. But I am convinced and optimistic that the situation in the region will improve again," he said.
Infantino said FIFA is in contact with authorities in Qatar and ready to help if they were asked, and he indirectly dismissed calls from some German politicians to strip Qatar of the World Cup.
"FIFA's main job is to look after football and not getting involved in geopolitical questions," Infantino said.
