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Infantino has suggested the possibility to additional cold-weather World Cups and global club championships, declaring that the sport should remain open to new ideas about moving big events from the summer period.

Discussions Underway for Post-2030 Calendar

Discussions are under way about the calendar for the period after 2030, which is a particular point of tension given the increased squeeze caused by larger tournaments. A special committee has been formed to examine the issue, and FIFA itself has created a challenge by granting the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia. The event will likely be organized in colder seasons, similar to Qatar 2022. The president proposed the sport should get used to detaching from summer months in Europe.

“We're thoroughly examining specifics, we're constantly talking,” he stated. “It's not just about one World Cup, it's a general reflection. Even when playing in parts of Europe in July it is very, very hot.”

Optimizing the Football Calendar

These remarks came during the EFC annual meeting in the Italian capital. He had expressed similar sentiments to the event's 900 delegates, stating: “We should look into internationalizing the international match calendar.” He cited October and March as “periods suitable for global play.”

A major restructuring like this would create disruptions, even as FIFA's power to execute its vision might face obstacles should an official protest concerning the schedule enforcement, presented to EU officials previously by league organizations, results in formal action.

Growing the International Club Competition

Officials are examining ways to expand the international club championship. An expanded format might be used in the future, potentially featuring preliminary qualification matches that narrows the field to 32 teams. Infantino mentioned grand schemes in his conference presentation, stating the organization would “endeavor to find ways to grow this competition, even better, more significant.”

Candidate Nations for Tournament

Spain and Morocco are frontrunners to stage the upcoming tournament, set to happen in warmer months, though additional candidates remain under evaluation. A quick comeback to America might be considered and it is understood the Asian nation, previously arranged to host the tournament in 2021 before the pandemic, remains interested.

FIFA is considering staging the international tournament once every two years post-2029. Qatar is the strong frontrunner to organize the 2031 competition, a scenario that might prove more straightforward should the proposed changes come to fruition given a winter scheduling would be inevitable.

Issues with Overseas League Fixtures

Infantino expressed any long-term move towards holding domestic competitions overseas would be a significant danger. Recent developments saw permission granted for matches in the US and Australia, noting this permission came on an exceptional basis. The organization's ultimate decision represents a procedural step, but Infantino appeared to suggest the prospect did not sit easily.

“There exists a framework with competitions at national level, continental level and global level,” he elaborated. “This is the structure which built soccer the premier athletic competition worldwide. If we disrupt this system, we gamble significantly.”

Catalan Club Rejoins Organization

In additional news during the organization's meeting, included the verification of Barcelona's return to the association, which had been trailed by the team's chairman Joan Laporta's presence at the gala meal. Barcelona withdrew the group following the failed Super League attempt in two thousand twenty-one, which they championed with other major clubs.

The EFC president Nasser al-Khelaifi joked that their rekindled relationship had been formalised during a “romantic walk”. This return seems to to pour further cold water on any return of the breakaway league project.