"Gianni Infantino considers shifting World Cup from summer dates"

Gianni Infantino has suggested the possibility of more World Cups and Club World Cups being held outside the traditional summer timeframe, emphasizing the need for the sport to "remain flexible" regarding tournament scheduling.

Talks are ongoing about the football calendar beyond 2030, a topic of growing debate due to the increasing demands of expanded competitions. FIFA has established a working group to review the issue, while also facing complications after awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia—an event likely to be held in winter, as was the case with Qatar 2022. Infantino indicated that football should adapt to moving away from the European summer season.

"We are already deeply engaged, constantly discussing solutions," he said. "This isn’t just about one tournament—it's a broader reassessment. Even in some European nations, July is extremely hot for matches. June, the ideal month for football, is underused in Europe."

"Perhaps there are ways to adjust the calendar. We’re evaluating options and will share conclusions in due course. Flexibility is key."

Infantino made these remarks at the European Football Clubs general assembly in Rome, where he addressed 900 attendees. He reiterated the need to "examine the international match calendar from a global perspective," suggesting October and March as viable months for fixtures worldwide.

Such radical changes could spark resistance, particularly if a formal complaint filed with the European Commission by European Leagues, FIFPRO, and La Liga—challenging FIFA’s control over the calendar—progresses legally.

FIFA is also exploring an expanded Club World Cup format. The 2029 edition may feature 48 teams, with qualifiers reducing the field to 32. In his speech, Infantino hinted at ambitions to "enhance the event’s scale and impact."

Spain and Morocco are frontrunners to host the 2029 tournament, slated for summer, though other candidates—including China and a potential return to the U.S.—remain in contention.

FIFA is weighing a biennial Club World Cup post-2029, with Qatar heavily favored to stage a possible 2031 edition. A winter schedule would simplify logistics in such a scenario.

Infantino cautioned against permanently relocating domestic league matches abroad, calling it a "major risk." Meanwhile, UEFA recently granted La Liga and Serie A permission to host one-off games in the U.S. and Australia, respectively.