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The FIFA chief has left the door open to more tournaments held in winter and international club competitions, declaring that the sport should remain open to new ideas about moving big events out of the summer months.

Discussions Underway for Future Match Timetable

Conversations are ongoing about the schedule beyond 2030, a key area of concern due to growing pressure from enlarged events. The global body established a task force to study the matter, and FIFA itself has given itself a headache by assigning the 2034 competition to the Middle Eastern nation. That tournament will almost certainly be staged in winter, similar to Qatar 2022. Infantino suggested football needs to adapt to untying itself from Europe's summer period.

“We're thoroughly examining specifics, we're constantly talking,” he stated. “The discussion extends beyond one event, it's broader consideration. Even when playing in parts of Europe during July temperatures are extreme.”

Improving the Match Schedule

Infantino was speaking on the sidelines of the European Football Clubs general assembly in Rome. He had expressed similar sentiments to the event's 900 delegates, remarking: “We should look into internationalizing the international match calendar.” The months of October and March were mentioned as “periods suitable for global play.”

This significant overhaul would create disruptions, even as FIFA's power to execute its vision could be challenged in case of a registered objection concerning the schedule enforcement, submitted to European authorities earlier by football leagues, triggers legal processes.

Growing the International Club Competition

FIFA is also looking at approaches to grow the Club World Cup. A larger tournament setup might be used in the future, possibly including preliminary qualification matches that narrows the field to 32 competitors. Infantino mentioned ambitious plans in his conference presentation, indicating they would “endeavor to find ways to expand this tournament, more successful, more significant.”

Candidate Nations for Tournament

European and African countries are favorites to host the 2029 event, set to happen in warmer months, though additional candidates are being considered. A swift return to America could be entertained and it is understood China, previously arranged to host the tournament in 2021 until Covid-19 hit, still wants to host.

FIFA is considering organizing the club championship every two years following 2029. The Gulf state leads the race to host any 2031 edition, an arrangement that could be simpler to implement if the suggested adjustments are implemented given a winter scheduling would be inevitable.

Worries Regarding International Matches

Infantino expressed any lasting change towards staging domestic league games in foreign countries would be a significant danger. Current situations saw permission granted for fixtures in the United States and Down Under, emphasising this was granted on an exceptional basis. The governing body's approval is a formality, though the president indicated the prospect did not sit easily.

“We have a structure featuring matches at national level, continental level and worldwide,” he explained. “This is the structure which built soccer the world's most popular sport in the world. If we want to break this system, we endanger everything.”

Catalan Club Rejoins Organization

In additional news at the EFC general assembly, came the announcement of Barcelona's return to the fold, which was anticipated by the club president participating at the official dinner. The club had left from the organization following the failed Super League attempt in 2021, which they championed alongside Real Madrid and Juventus.

The organization's leader the Qatari official humorously noted the renewed partnership became formal during an amicable discussion. Their readmission appears to reduce chances on any resurgence of the breakaway league project.