FIFA boss invites Thai boys to World Cup final
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has invited the Thai boys’ football team trapped in a cave to the World Cup final, as messages of support poured in from top players.
Infantino said he hoped the Wild Boars team, who were stranded by rising floodwaters two weeks ago, would be rescued in time to watch the final in Moscow on July 15.
“If, as we all hope, they are reunited with their families in the coming days and their health allows them to travel, FIFA would be delighted to invite them to attend the 2018 World Cup final as our guests,” he wrote in a letter to the head of the Football Association of Thailand.
“I sincerely hope that they will be able to join us at the final, which will undoubtedly be a wonderful moment of communion and celebration.”
The Thai footballers, aged 11-16, have been stuck in darkness deep underground after setting off to explore the cave with their 25-yearold coach after training on June 23.
The players remain trapped despite being reached this week by cave-diving rescuers, who released footage of them looking emaciated but calm, some wearing football shirts.