The FIFA chief has left the door open to additional cold-weather World Cups and international club competitions, declaring that soccer must remain open to new ideas about shifting key competitions from the summer period.
Talks in Progress for Schedule Beyond 2030
Talks are currently happening about the schedule beyond 2030, a key area of concern due to growing pressure from enlarged events. A special committee has been formed to examine the issue, while the international organization has created a challenge by granting the 2034 tournament to the Gulf country. That tournament will almost certainly be staged in winter, following the Qatar model. Infantino suggested soccer must become accustomed to detaching from Europe's summer period.
“We are already into the nitty-gritty, ongoing conversations are happening,” he stated. “It's not just about one World Cup, it's broader consideration. Even in certain European nations during July temperatures are extreme.”
Optimizing the Football Calendar
These remarks came during the European Football Clubs general assembly in the Italian capital. Similar opinions were voiced to the event's 900 delegates, saying: “We should look into making global the international match calendar.” He pointed to October and March as “periods suitable for global play.”
A major restructuring like this would generate controversy, although FIFA's ability to carry out its plans could be challenged should an official protest concerning the schedule enforcement, presented to EU officials earlier by football leagues, triggers legal processes.
Growing the International Club Competition
The governing body is considering ways to expand the global club competition. A 48-team structure is possible for its next edition, with the potential for entry tournaments that whittles the final number down to 32 competitors. Infantino alluded to grand schemes in his Rome speech, stating the organization would “work to see how to grow this competition, more successful, more significant.”
Possible Locations for Future Events
European and African countries are frontrunners to stage the upcoming tournament, which will take place in warmer months, though additional candidates have been weighed up. A swift return to the United States could be entertained and sources suggest China, previously arranged to stage the event in 2021 until Covid-19 hit, remains interested.
The organization is contemplating holding the Club World Cup every two years following 2029. The Gulf state leads the race to stage the 2031 tournament, a scenario that might prove easier to manage should the proposed changes is achieved given a winter scheduling would become necessary.
Concerns About Domestic Games Abroad
The president stated any long-term move towards organizing national league matches on other continents would be a major gamble. Current situations saw permission granted for fixtures in the United States and Down Under, noting this permission came under unique circumstances. The governing body's approval is a formality, but Infantino appeared to suggest the prospect did not sit easily.
“Our system includes with competitions within countries, regionally and global level,” he detailed. “This system which built soccer the world's most popular sport in the world. If we want to break this framework, we take a big risk.”
Spanish Giant Reenters Fold
Among other developments at the EFC general assembly, was confirmation of Barcelona's return to the organization, foreshadowed earlier by the club president participating at the formal event. Barcelona withdrew the association after the abortive Super League project in recent years, which they championed with other major clubs.
The EFC president Nasser al-Khelaifi joked that their rekindled relationship was made official during a “romantic walk”. The reinstatement likely to dampen prospects on any resurgence of the Super League scheme.
