Weah, ex-president of Liberia, set to lead FIFA's anti-racism initiative

In a bid to support education and promote change in football at all levels, FIFA has announced a 16-member racism task force. The panel, which includes renowned former players, will shape policy aimed at stamping out racism and will further push for a shift in football culture.

Notable figures on the panel include George Weah, who has been named honorary captain. Weah, a former player for Chelsea, Manchester City, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco, and other prestigious clubs, also served as the president of his native Liberia for six years. Other members of the task force include Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mickael Silvestre, Sun Jihai, Khalilou Fadiga, Blaise Matuidi, Ivan Cordoba, Juan Pablo Sorin, Mercy Akide, Aya Miyama, Lotta Schelin, Briana Scurry, and more.

The task force will support education and new ideas for lasting change, and will ensure that measures to counter racism are not just talked about, but actioned, both on and off the pitch.

Meanwhile, the World Cup is expanding to include 48 teams for the first time in 2026, with the tournament being co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. However, concerns have arisen over potential visa issues for players and fans. The Trump administration has implemented travel restrictions for citizens of certain countries, including Togo and Iran. As a result, Fifa may face embarrassment over the appointment of former player Emmanuel Adebayor, as he could be denied a visa to travel to the US for the 2022 World Cup due to his nationality.

Iran has already secured its place at the 2026 World Cup, but players and coaching staff from countries with travel restrictions, including Togo, may face difficulties entering the US for the tournament. Fans from these countries may not be able to visit at all.

Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, has stated that the task force will support education at all levels of the game and promote new ideas for lasting change. The task force may be invited to the 2022 World Cup, but Adebayor's participation could be affected by travel restrictions.

The task force will also work to ensure that the World Cup is inclusive and welcoming for all participants and fans, regardless of their nationality or background. The expansion of the World Cup to include more teams is a significant step towards making the sport more accessible to a wider audience, and the task force's efforts will be crucial in ensuring that the tournament is a success for all involved.