The FIFA chief has left the door open to additional cold-weather World Cups and international club competitions, asserting that the sport should remain open to new ideas about moving big events from the summer period.
Talks in Progress for Schedule Beyond 2030
Discussions are under way about the calendar for the period after 2030, a major sticking point given the increased squeeze from enlarged events. A special committee has been formed to analyze the situation, and the global governing body has given itself a headache by assigning the 2034 competition to Saudi Arabia. The event will likely be organized in colder seasons, following the Qatar model. Infantino suggested soccer must become accustomed to untying itself from summer months in Europe.
“We're deep into detailed discussions, we're constantly talking,” he remarked. “It's not just about one World Cup, it's a general reflection. Even to play in some European countries in July it is very, very hot.”
Enhancing the Competition Timetable
Infantino was speaking on the sidelines of the European club organization annual meeting in Rome. He shared comparable views to the event's 900 delegates, remarking: “We should look into making global soccer's international timetable.” The months of October and March were mentioned as “periods suitable for global play.”
This significant overhaul would create disruptions, although FIFA's ability to execute its vision could be challenged should an official protest against its imposition of the calendar, submitted to European authorities last year by European Leagues, triggers legal processes.
Expanding the Club World Cup
The governing body is considering ways to expand the international club championship. An expanded format could be implemented next time, possibly including entry tournaments that narrows the field to thirty-two participants. The president referenced ambitious plans in his Italian address, indicating they would “endeavor to find ways to expand this tournament, even better, with greater influence.”
Possible Locations for Future Events
The Iberian and North African nations are leading candidates for the 2029 event, set to happen in warmer months, while other possibilities are being considered. A quick comeback to the US might be considered and sources suggest the Chinese government, which had been due to organize the competition in 2021 before the pandemic, remains interested.
FIFA is considering staging the international tournament every two years after 2029. Qatar is the strong frontrunner to host any 2031 edition, an arrangement that could be easier to manage if the suggested adjustments are implemented with winter dates would be inevitable.
Worries Regarding International Matches
The president stated any long-term move towards organizing national league matches in foreign countries would be a “big risk”. Recent developments saw authorization provided for matches in the US and Australia, stressing this approval was as a special case. The governing body's approval is essentially automatic, yet Infantino seemed to imply the idea caused discomfort.
“We have a structure whereby we have games at national level, regionally and worldwide,” he detailed. “This system which built soccer the premier athletic competition globally. Should we dismantle this structure, we take a big risk.”
Barcelona's Return to EFC
As part of other changes during the organization's meeting, came the announcement of the Catalan club's comeback to the fold, foreshadowed earlier by the club president attending at the formal event. The team exited from the organization post the unsuccessful breakaway league in recent years, which they championed alongside Real Madrid and Juventus.
The EFC president the Qatari official joked that their rekindled relationship had been formalised during an amicable discussion. The reinstatement likely to pour further cold water on any return of the controversial competition plan.
