The FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic came to a close on Sunday with England taking the championship title following a thrilling 1-0 final against Venezuela at the Suwon World Cup Stadium.

After congratulating the winning English team and Venezuelan runners-up on Sunday, the FIFA President Gianni Infantino travelled to Seoul, the capital of Korea Republic, to meet with the staff of the Korean Football Association at their headquarters. There he congratulated them on what he called a “fantastic competition” and thanked them for their support and commitment in staging the men’s youth tournament.

He then travelled to the Offices of the President of Korea Republic in Seoul where he was received by the recently-elected President Moon Jae-in. During talks with Gianni Infantino, the Korean President expressed his love of football, emphasising that it is the most popular and favourite sport of South Koreans, and a sport he believes is one of the most equal and democratic. He also referred to it being a game that both rich and poor countries can enjoy equally and which has also been used to contribute to inter-Korean relations. Additionally, he explained how football could be used to help developing countries in Africa and Asia.

President Moon-Jae-in spoke to the FIFA President about the possibility of the two Koreas – the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (also known as North Korea) and the Korea Republic (also known as South Korea), co-hosting a FIFA competition along with other neighbouring countries, stressing his belief in the power of football as a tool that can help bring about stabilisation in the region.

Gianni Infantino welcomed President Moon-Jae-in’s suggestions, and after congratulating him on the country’s successful hosting of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, as well as commending the hard work of the Korean Football Association in organising the event, he told the Korean President that both FIFA and the international football community would be happy to provide any assistance that could be helpful to inter-Korean relations, as well as in the Korea Republic's efforts to help developing countries through football in Africa and Asia.