Gianni Infantino has opened the door to more tournaments held in winter and international club competitions, asserting that soccer must remain open to new ideas about relocating major tournaments away from the summer.
Ongoing Conversations for Future Match Timetable
Discussions are under way about the schedule beyond 2030, a major sticking point due to growing pressure being applied by expanded competitions. FIFA has set up a working group to analyze the situation, while the international organization has caused complications by granting the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia. That tournament will almost certainly be held during winter months, similar to Qatar 2022. Infantino indicated the sport should get used to detaching from summer months in Europe.
“We're thoroughly examining specifics, we are discussing all the time,” he remarked. “This isn't only about a single tournament, it's broader consideration. Even to play in some European countries in July it is very, very hot.”
Improving the Match Schedule
These remarks came at the European Football Clubs conference in the Italian capital. He shared comparable views to the event's 900 delegates, stating: “We should look into making global the international match calendar.” He pointed to October and March as “times when worldwide competition is feasible.”
A major restructuring like this would generate controversy, even as FIFA's power to implement its wishes could be challenged if a formal complaint regarding the calendar implementation, submitted to European authorities previously by league organizations, results in formal action.
Enlarging the Global Club Tournament
The governing body is considering methods to enlarge the Club World Cup. A larger tournament setup is possible for its next edition, potentially featuring a qualifying playoff event that whittles the final number down to thirty-two participants. Infantino mentioned major proposals in his Italian address, indicating they would “strive to determine how to grow this competition, even better, more significant.”
Possible Locations for Future Events
The Iberian and North African nations are frontrunners to stage the 2029 event, scheduled to occur during summer, though additional candidates have been weighed up. A swift return to the US could be entertained and sources suggest China, which had been due to host the tournament in 2021 before the pandemic, continues to show interest.
FIFA is considering holding the Club World Cup every two years post-2029. Qatar is the strong frontrunner to organize the 2031 competition, a move that would be more straightforward if the suggested adjustments come to fruition given a winter scheduling would be required.
Issues with Overseas League Fixtures
Infantino expressed any permanent shift towards staging domestic league games on other continents would be a “big risk”. Current situations saw authorization provided for matches in the US and Australia, stressing this approval was under unique circumstances. The governing body's approval represents a procedural step, yet Infantino seemed to imply the idea caused discomfort.
“There exists a framework whereby we have games at national level, continental level and worldwide,” he elaborated. “This framework that developed football the No 1 sport worldwide. If we want to break this system, we gamble significantly.”
Barcelona's Return to EFC
As part of other changes at the EFC general assembly, included the verification of the Catalan club's comeback to the organization, which was anticipated by the team's chairman attending at the official dinner. Barcelona withdrew the group after the abortive Super League project in recent years, which they championed together with European giants.
The association chairman the Qatari official humorously noted the renewed partnership had been formalised during a “romantic walk”. This return seems to to dampen prospects on any revival of the Super League scheme.
