President Christodoulides discusses football and future sporting ambitions on live television

On July 1, 2026, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, appeared on the Sigma TV channel during a pre-match broadcast for the 2026 World Cup game between England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the interview, he expressed his passion for football, noted his support for the French national team, and shared his opinions on players and current World Cup trends. The President criticized the use of VAR for causing delays and impacting the excitement of matches. He emphasized the government's commitment to sports, citing the successful hosting of the Eurobasket in Cyprus as proof of the country's potential. Addressing the future, Christodoulides floated the ambitious idea of Cyprus pursuing a joint bid to host a future World Cup with neighboring countries such as Greece, Egypt, or Israel. He also mentioned his intention to establish a Deputy Ministry of Sports to further improve national infrastructure. Furthermore, he shared personal anecdotes about his attendance at the Paris Olympics and his observations on the challenges faced by Cypriot athletes.