Thai cave rescue news: Fifa invites boys and their coach to World Cup final if they are rescued in time

Hatty Collier6 July 2018

Fifa’s president has invited the 12 boys and football coach who are trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand to the World Cup final if they are rescued in time.

A 1,000 strong rescue team is facing a race against worsening weather and lowering oxygen levels in the underground complex where the group has been trapped for two weeks.

Danish volunteer cave diver Ivan Karadzic today told Sky News that he believed the rescue would happen today.

Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, said the organisation had been “anxiously following the news of the rescue operation”.

Graphic shows where the young boys and their coach were found
MailOnline

He has written a letter inviting the entire team and their coach to the World Cup final which will take place on Sunday, July 15 at the Luzhniki Stadium.

The boys have been trapped in the cave for two weeks
AP

The Fifa letter, addressed to the president of the Football Association of Thailand, offered its "deepest sympathies and support" to the families of the young soccer players and their coach trapped in the flooded Tham Luang Nang Non cave.

The letter said the organisation would like to invite the youngsters and their coach to the World Cup final in Russia, should they be rescued in time and are healthy enough to travel.

It added that the team's appearance at the final would "undoubtedly be a wonderful moment of communion and celebration."

Fifa has invited the entire team to the World Cup final if they are rescue in time
AP

He said he hoped that “in some way our words of support may help bring them a little peace and courage in these difficult moments of uncertainty and concern.”

Saman Kunan, 38, died during the rescue effort
Thai Navy SEAL divers bring breathing apparatus to the trapped boys
Facebook

Mr Kunan died at about 1am when he ran out of oxygen as he was returning from placing the tanks along the route to the boys. He was brought out by his dive partner but could not be revived.

Speaking of when the rescue would be carried out, Thai Navy SEAL commander Arpakorn Yookongkaew told a news conference: “We can no longer wait for all conditions (to be ready) because circumstances are pressuring us.”

Thailand Cave Rescue - In pictures

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He indicated that rescuers may have little choice but to attempt the tricky extraction of the group.

“We originally thought the boys can stay safe inside the cave for quite some time but circumstances have changed. We have a limited amount of time,” he said.

Tributes were paid to Mr Kunan, who was hailed a “hero and a brave man”. He was a retired Navy Seal but had been working as a volunteer as part of the team trying to establish an oxygen line to the chamber where the children are awaiting rescue. His body has been taken to Bangkok airport and he will receive a royal-sponsored funeral

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