WASHINGTON, October 15. /TASS/. US Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli said in an interview with TASS he would welcome an international friendly between Russian and US national football teams.

"Football is the world’s game, and with FIFA and the relevant national federations, I would also welcome an international friendly between our two national teams," said the diplomat who works both in the White House and the US State Department.

"Perhaps sooner rather than later, our great nations can meet again on a football pitch - not to pretend that one match can resolve every disagreement, but to show that competition can reopen conversation. Football unites the world because it belongs to everyone. My role in Global Partnerships is to help turn good ideas into practical conversations. Hockey and football can both remind us that rivalry does not have to mean hostility," Zampolli stressed.