Against the backdrop of a historic Gulf Cooperation Council summit that paved the way for regional reconciliation, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the important role that football can play as a uniting factor in the region and as a vector of core social values, such as inclusion, solidarity and tolerance.

In particular, President Infantino highlighted the recent progress of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in the development of women’s football in the country. Both leaders also discussed the challenges and disruptions that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the game.

The FIFA President’s attendance at the summit is part of a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, which will also see meetings with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al Misehal and the Sports Minister HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, as well as visits to sports facilities.