The Thai soccer team that has been trapped in a cave for almost two weeks will be invited to the World Cup final if they are successfully rescued from their ordeal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrote to the Thai soccer association (FAT) on Thursday to extend the invite, which the organization subsequently shared on its Facebook page.
"On behalf of the international football community, I would like to join you in expressing my deepest sympathies and support to the families of the players and coach, as well as my solidarity with the people of Thailand at this time of great concern," Infantino said in a letter addressed to FAT president Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung
"If, as we all hope, they are reunited with their families in the coming days and their health allows them to travel, FIFA would be delighted to invite them to attend the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow as our guests." The World Cup final will take place in Moscow on July 15 at 11 a.m. ET.
Twelve players of the Wild Boars soccer club—between the ages of 11 and 16—and their 25-year-old coach have been trapped in Tham Luang cave in Thailand's northern Chiang Rai province since June 23.
The group had been missing for nine days after being trapped in the cave by floodwaters but were found by military divers on July 2.
The letter is one of many gestures from the global soccer community. On Thursday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recorded a video for CNN in which he delivered a message of support for the boys.
"Stay strong and we are with you," he said.
"We are following all the news and hoping every second that you see the daylight again."
Rescue operations were dealt a blow late on Thursday when a former Thai navy Seal diver died during the rescue efforts.
Saman Kunan, 38, was assisting the operation as a volunteer but died when he ran out of air while diving in the caves at about 7 a.m. local time on Friday (7 p.m. ET on Thursday).
Authorities have confirmed the oxygen supply in the cave has fallen to 15 percent, compared to the normal 21 percent levels in the air, a situation that has been made worse by the number of rescue workers inside the cave.
Thai officials face a race against time to rescue the boys before the monsoon season hits northern Thailand. Once the rains arrive, there are fears the rescue operations might have to be postponed for months or could become downright impossible.
For that reason, rescue workers have been trying to lay down a pipe that would allow air to be carried into the cave, to offer the group some much needed reprieve, should they become trapped by raising water during the monsoon season.
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