Sports diplomacy in focus as cricket readies for Olympic return
As Milan prepares to raise the curtain on the 2026 Winter Olympics this Friday, a notable off-the-field meeting took place in the host city — one that brought together two of the most powerful figures in global sport. FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with ICC Chairman Jay Shah, signalling a collaborative spirit between football and cricket’s top leadership just as cricket gears up for its Olympic return in 2028.
Infantino shared a photo from the meeting on Instagram, pairing it with high praise and a message of unity through sport. “It was my pleasure to meet ICC Chairman Jay Shah today in Milan. The outstanding work he has done to grow the beautiful game of cricket is exemplary. I wish him and everyone the very best as cricket gets re-introduced to the Summer Olympic Games in two years’ time,” he wrote alongside the image.
The moment marks a symbolic alignment of two of the most globally followed sports — football and cricket — during a time of Olympic transformation. Infantino also emphasised the potential of this partnership going forward, adding, “I also look forward to working together and collaborating as we unite the world through sports.”
Cricket’s Olympic comeback sparks international excitement
The return of cricket to the Olympics, confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, represents a major milestone for the sport. Cricket’s inclusion was announced in July 2025, marking its first Olympic appearance since 1900 — when Great Britain and France competed in a lone two-day match in Paris.
With cricket’s global popularity continuing to rise, particularly across Asia, the sport’s Olympic comeback is expected to boost visibility and fan engagement on a grander international scale. Women’s cricket, which already featured in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and both men’s and women’s formats seen at the Asian Games, will now share space with global sporting elites on the Olympic platform.
While the exact qualification format for LA28 remains pending, discussions are expected during the ICC’s Annual Conference scheduled in Singapore later this year. The LA28 T20 cricket events — for both men and women — are slated to run from July 12 to July 29, 2028.
Milan welcomes world sport to the spotlight
Infantino and Shah’s meeting took place just ahead of the Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony, set for Friday across multiple iconic Italian locations. The main celebrations will unfold at Milan’s famed San Siro Stadium, while other Olympic events and parades will spread across Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno, and Predazzo.
This edition of the Winter Games, running until February 22, will showcase eight sports and 16 disciplines — but moments like the FIFA–ICC leadership meet underscore that, beyond medals and ice, sport continues to forge new global connections.
