FIFA reportedly tells all 32 World Cup teams to 'focus on football'

FIFA’s leadership team has reportedly written to the 32 World Cup teams urging them to ‘focus on football’ rather than the politics surrounding the tournament.

The Qatar World Cup has been plagued with the controversy surrounding the country’s human rights record, leading to forms of protest from players and fans.

The publication says they have viewed a letter from FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the governing body’s secretary general, Fatma Samoura.

The pair wrote to the teams: “Please, let's now focus on the football!”

Adding: "We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.

"But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists."

The letter adds: “We are aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.”

Late last month the Australian football team became the first nation of the 32 competing teams to publicly protest against Qatar’s mistreatment of migrant workers and their criminalisation of same-sex marriages.

Meanwhile, England, Wales, and six other European nations have requested to wear rainbow-coloured ‘One Love’ armbands at the World Cup.

Both British nations have already said they will wear the armbands regardless of FIFA’s response.

Neither the Socceroos nor the European teams were directly addressed in the letter.

Infantino wrote: “At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world.

"One of the great strengths of the world is indeed its very diversity, and if inclusion means anything, it means having respect for that diversity. No one people or culture or nation is 'better' than any other.

"This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination. And this is also one of the core values of football. So, please let's all remember that and let football take centre stage."

He says that everyone will be welcome in Qatar ‘regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality’.

The World Cup kicks off in the Middle Eastern state in less than three weeks.

SPORTbible reached out to FIFA for comment.