Ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has backed FIFA’s call for unity and inclusion.

The host country Qatar, has been condemned for a range of human rights violations heading into the event.

In reference to this, FIFA sent out a letter earlier this month to the 32 teams taking part in the World Cup to request that football remain the focus, rather than politics.

Patrice Motsepe, the CAF president has offered his support to FIFA ahead of the tournament, stating that as it has been over the years, football can be used as a tool to create unity amongst people.

The CAF president said: “We recognise that football has over the years been an important tool for bringing together and uniting people from different races, language groups and religious backgrounds”.

He went on to say that: “FIFA world cup is an important global sporting event that brings together people from different countries and continents for the development and celebration of football worldwide and the advancement of humanity”.

Ahead of the event which kicks off on November 20, 2022, the South American football confederation CONMBEOL, also offered its support to FIFA.

This will be the first time the World Cup will be hosted in the Middle East in the 92-year history of the tournament. 

Senegal is to enter the tournament as Africa’s leading side behind Morocco, Tunisia, Cameroon and Ghana.