FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged the 32 nations to avoid lessons in morality.

With the Qatar World Cup coming up, FIFA President Gianni Infantino is urging the nations competing in the tournament to avoid any politics or morality lessons.

A letter was sent out by Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura urging teams to “let football take center stage” as the World Cup teams are announced next week.

The letter stated: “Please, let's now focus on the football!” It continued to ask the 32 federations to “not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.”

Originally picked to host the World Cup in 2010, Qatar sparked scrutiny in regard to the country’s treatment of low-paid migrant workers.

Eight European teams participating have committed to their captains wearing heart-shaped armbands, breaching FIFA rules, to support an anti-discrimination campaign.

The letter continued: “We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.

“At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world.

“At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world.”

Infantino and Samoura added: “No one people or culture or nation is 'better' than any other. This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination. And this is also one of the core values of football.”

The group went on to state that all visitors to Qatar will be welcomed regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality.

In total, about 1.2 million international visitors are expected in Qatar during the tournament.