Zurich: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has extended congratulations and thanks to Qatari football authorities for their honorable gesture to move the 2017 Gulf Cup from Qatar to Kuwait.

Head of Qatar and Gulf Football Associations, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, confirmed that after consultations between Qatar and Kuwait, the official Kuwaiti request to transfer the 23rd Gulf Cup from Qatar to Kuwait has been approved. He said that this edition of the tournament is a celebration for all the peoples of the Arabian Gulf after lifting the international suspension on Kuwait, as it represents a great event in the history of the region.

FIFA President Gianni Infantinosaid “I would like to congratulate and thank the Qatari football authorities for their honorable gesture, which was not unexpected as it is in line with Qatar’s commitment as the host country of the 2022 FIFA World Cup that this World Cup is indeed for the entire region.

“I am very happy and encouraged by the recent developments in the Gulf region. First of all, it is a great pleasure to welcome Kuwaiti football back into the international football community. During my visit to Kuwait earlier this week, I witnessed with my own eyes the delight of all Kuwaiti players and fans to be back finally, he added. It has been a long and tough period of suffering for them over the past two years.

“The initiative to move the 2017 Gulf Cup from Qatar to Kuwait to celebrate this event is a strong and symbolic sign. The solidarity and friendship shown by all illustrates once again the power of football to unite people across borders. The 2017 Gulf Cup will be a great celebration of football in the whole region and to have all eight teams participating in Kuwait sends a very powerful message to the world.

“To mark this special occasion, it will be a great honor for me to attend the opening games of the 2017 Gulf Cup in Kuwait on 22 and 23 December. This tournament embraces the spirit of sportsmanship and is a great example of the values that FIFA and football strive to spread all around the world.”

The ban, imposed in 2015 due to government interference in the football association, was lifted from Kuwaiti Football Association following a surprise visit from Infantino earlier this week. The two-year exile from football had prevented Kuwaiti clubs from playing in the continental AFC Cup and the national team from participating in the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup to be held in the UAE.