FIFA president Gianni Infantino has left the door open to holding future World Cups and Club World Cups in winter and said that football’s global nature demands flexibility and open-mindedness.
Infantino comments have come after the debate over the congested calendar and player welfare has gained a lot of traction.
Infantino revealed that discussions are ongoing within a working group set up by FIFA to plan the international match calendar beyond 2030 and officials are evaluating how expanding tournaments can fit into an already packed schedule.
The issue has become more urgent after Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the 2034 World Cup host, a tournament that is likely to take place in winter due to the extreme summer heat.
“We are already into the nitty-gritty, we are discussing all the time,” Infantino said [via Guardian]
“It’s not just about one World Cup, it’s a general reflection. Even to play in some European countries in July it is very, very hot. The best month to play football, which is June, is not used very much in Europe.
“Maybe there are ways we can optimise the calendar, but we are discussing it and we will see when we come to some conclusions.
The idea recalls Qatar 2022, the first World Cup held in winter which forced major European leagues to pause their seasons and despite early doubts, the tournament’s timing helped avoid the region’s extreme heat.
"We have summer and winter and in the world if you want to play at the same time everywhere you can play in March or in October," He said [via BBC]
"In December you cannot play in one part of the world and in July you cannot play in another part.
"We need to consider all these elements and let's see how we can make it better for everyone.
"Maybe there are ways we can optimise the calendar. We are discussing. We have to have an open mind."
The expanded Club World Cup raised similar questions and the 32-team tournament in the United States this summer saw temperatures in New York reach 39°C and players’ unions and medical experts were critical of the scheduling.