🔗 Share this article

Infantino has suggested the possibility to further winter World Cups and international club competitions, asserting that soccer must “keep an open mind” about shifting key competitions from the summer period.

Talks in Progress for Schedule Beyond 2030

Discussions are under way about the post-2030 match timetable, a major sticking point given the increased squeeze caused by larger tournaments. FIFA has set up a working group to study the matter, and FIFA itself has created a challenge by assigning the 2034 competition to the Gulf country. That tournament will almost certainly be held during winter months, as Qatar 2022 was. Infantino indicated football needs to adapt to untying itself from Europe's summer period.

“We are already into the nitty-gritty, we're constantly talking,” he stated. “This isn't only about a single tournament, it's a general reflection. Even to play in some European countries in July it is very, very hot.”

Improving the Match Schedule

These remarks came on the sidelines of the European Football Clubs annual meeting in Rome. He shared comparable views to numerous participants, stating: “We must consider internationalizing the worldwide football schedule.” He cited October and March as “periods suitable for global play.”

This significant overhaul would cause ructions, even as FIFA's power to implement its wishes may be compromised if a formal complaint regarding the calendar implementation, filed to the European Commission earlier by football leagues, results in formal action.

Growing the International Club Competition

FIFA is also looking at methods to enlarge the international club championship. An expanded format is possible for its next edition, possibly including preliminary qualification matches that whittles the final number down to thirty-two participants. Infantino mentioned major proposals in his conference presentation, stating the organization would “strive to determine how to grow this competition, improved further, more significant.”

Candidate Nations for Tournament

The Iberian and North African nations are favorites to host the upcoming tournament, set to happen during summer, though additional candidates are being considered. A swift return to America is possible and it is understood the Chinese government, previously arranged to stage the event in 2021 prior to coronavirus, continues to show interest.

Officials are thinking about organizing the club championship once every two years following 2029. Qatar appears most likely to host any 2031 edition, a move that would be easier to manage if the suggested adjustments come to fruition given a winter scheduling would become necessary.

Concerns About Domestic Games Abroad

Infantino said any long-term move towards holding domestic competitions on other continents would be a major gamble. Ongoing circumstances saw authorization provided for fixtures in the United States and Down Under, noting this permission came on an exceptional basis. The governing body's approval is a formality, though the president indicated the concept raised concerns.

“We have a structure whereby we have games at national level, continental level and internationally,” he explained. “This is the structure which built soccer the world's most popular sport worldwide. Should we dismantle this structure, we take a big risk.”

Spanish Giant Reenters Fold

In additional news during the organization's meeting, was confirmation of the Catalan club's comeback to the organization, foreshadowed earlier by the team's chairman attending at the gala meal. The team exited from the organization after the abortive Super League project in 2021, which they had driven with other major clubs.

The association chairman the football executive commented lightheartedly about the restored connection became formal during a pleasant stroll. The reinstatement likely to dampen prospects on any revival of the breakaway league project.