FIFA President Invites Trapped Thai Boys to Watch World Cup Final

The young football trapped in a cave in Thailand has been receiving an outpouring of support from footballers.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right) expressed his support for the Thai team trapped underground in a waterlogged cave since 23 June.

(Photo: The Quint)

The young football team that is trapped in a waterlogged cave in Chiang Rai, North Thailand, since 23 June, has been receiving an outpouring of support from the football community.

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has extended an invitation to the Thai boys’ football team for the World Cup final.

Infantino said he hoped the Wild Boars team stranded in the cave would be rescued in time so that they can watch the final in Moscow on 15 July.

"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.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

Here is the FIFA President’s letter to Somyot Poompanmoung, a retired Thai Royal Police General and current head of the Football Association of Thailand.

The Thai footballers, aged 11-16, have been stuck in darkness deep underground after they set off to explore the cave with their 25-year-old coach after training on 23 June.

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.

Football World’s Support

One of the young players in the cave was photographed wearing a red England t-shirt in support of the team. It has been reported that the boys have asked for news of the World Cup from rescuers. Players and coaches around the world have been sending messages and offering support to the young team.

I’ve been speaking about it with a few of the boys (teammates). It’s so sad to see where they are and we hope they get out safe and sound.

England defender John Stones

Japan's World Cup squad tweeted a video urging the team to "Hang in there!", while Brazil legend Ronaldo called their plight "terrible".

"The world of football hopes that someone can find a way to take these kids out of there," Ronaldo said, according to CNN.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp urged them to "stay strong and know we are with you", in a video message sent to CNN.

We are following all the news and hoping every second that you see daylight again. We are all very optimistic that it will happen, hopefully in minutes, hours or the next few days.

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool Manager, to CNN

Meanwhile the Croatian Football Federation said it was "awed" by the team's composure, given the circumstances.

"We are awed by the bravery and strength that these young boys and their coach have shown amidst such frightening circumstances," it said on its website.

Swedish veteran Sebastian Larsson told reporters, “ All you can do in any situation like this is pray for them.”

Many fans on social media said the boys deserved the World Cup trophy for the way they have handled the ordeal.

(With inputs from PTI.)