Infantino has suggested the possibility to further winter World Cups and Club World Cups, stating that football needs to remain open to new ideas about moving big events away from the summer.
Talks in Progress for Schedule Beyond 2030
Talks are currently happening about the post-2030 match timetable, a major sticking point because of heightened congestion caused by larger tournaments. FIFA has set up a working group to analyze the situation, and the global governing body has caused complications by assigning the 2034 competition to the Middle Eastern nation. That tournament will almost certainly be staged in winter, similar to Qatar 2022. Infantino suggested the sport should get used to separating from summer months in Europe.
“We're thoroughly examining specifics, we are discussing all the time,” he stated. “This isn't only about a single tournament, it's broader consideration. Even when playing in parts of Europe in July it is very, very hot.”
Enhancing the Competition Timetable
These remarks came on the sidelines of the EFC annual meeting in Rome. He shared comparable views to hundreds of attendees, saying: “We should look into making global soccer's international timetable.” The months of October and March were mentioned as “the months you can play everywhere.”
Such a drastic reconfiguration would create disruptions, though the organization's capacity to execute its vision could be challenged if a formal complaint concerning the schedule enforcement, filed to the European Commission last year by European Leagues, results in formal action.
Enlarging the Global Club Tournament
FIFA is also looking at methods to enlarge the global club competition. A larger tournament setup is possible for its next edition, potentially featuring entry tournaments that whittles the final number down to 32 competitors. Infantino alluded to grand schemes in his Italian address, saying FIFA would “strive to determine how we can make this event bigger, even better, even more impactful.”
Potential Hosts for 2029
European and African countries are frontrunners to stage the upcoming tournament, which will take place in warmer months, though additional candidates are being considered. An early revisit to America is possible and reports indicate China, which had been due to organize the competition in 2021 prior to coronavirus, remains interested.
The organization is contemplating organizing the club championship biennially after 2029. The Gulf state leads the race to organize the 2031 competition, a scenario that might prove simpler to implement if the suggested adjustments come to fruition considering cold-weather timing would become necessary.
Issues with Overseas League Fixtures
Infantino expressed any lasting change towards holding domestic competitions on other continents would be a major gamble. Ongoing circumstances saw permission granted for matches in the US and Australia, emphasising this was granted as a special case. The organization's ultimate decision is a formality, but Infantino appeared to suggest the prospect did not sit easily.
“Our system includes with competitions within countries, across continents and internationally,” he elaborated. “This is the structure that made football the No 1 sport globally. Should we dismantle this system, we endanger everything.”
Catalan Club Rejoins Organization
As part of other changes at the EFC general assembly, was confirmation of the Catalan club's comeback to the fold, which was anticipated by Barcelona's leader attending at the gala meal. Barcelona withdrew the association post the unsuccessful breakaway league in 2021, which they promoted alongside Real Madrid and Juventus.
The association chairman the football executive commented lightheartedly about the restored connection became formal during an amicable discussion. The reinstatement likely to pour further cold water on any resurgence of the breakaway league project.
