Trump’s special envoy spoke in favor of holding a match between Russia and the United States
Paolo Zampolli said he would be happy to see a match between the football teams of the two countries, as well as games between hockey legends. He noted that Russia and the United States could create a channel of cooperation on sports issues
The US Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, told TASS that he would be happy if a friendly match between the Russian and US national teams was held with the participation of FIFA and the relevant national federations.
The Russian national team has been suspended from FIFA and UEFA tournaments since 2022 and holds only friendly meetings.
“Perhaps sooner than we think, our great countries will meet again on the football field – not to pretend that one match can resolve all differences, but to show that competition can renew dialogue,” Zampolli said.
Both hockey and football can remind us that rivalry does not necessarily mean hostility. The presidents of Russia and the United States have already discussed the possibility of holding American-Russian hockey matches.
"I would particularly like to consider organizing an event with the participation of legends of American and Russian hockey," Zampolli said.
According to him, Russia and the United States could create a channel of cooperation on sports issues, work out plans for hockey matches, games of football teams, resume exchanges of young athletes and coaches, support university competitions.
“We don’t have to agree on all political issues before an American child starts throwing a ball with a Russian child,” he said.
