FIFA President Gianni Infantino has urged the global football community to stay open-minded about the timing of future World Cups, hinting that the sport may need to move beyond its traditional summer schedule to better reflect its global nature.
The tournament has historically been held during the northern hemisphere’s summer, but the 2022 Qatar World Cup marked a shift — taking place in December to avoid the region’s intense heat. Infantino believes this flexibility should continue, given the world’s diverse climates.
“We have summer and winter, and if we want football to truly be global, we need to recognise that July is unplayable in some places, just as December is impossible in others,” he explained. “We must explore new ways to optimise the calendar and make the game better for everyone. Keeping an open mind is key.”
For now, the international match calendar remains fixed until 2030, with Canada, the United States, and Mexico set to host the next World Cup in June and July. The 2030 edition will be a landmark event — shared between Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with additional opening matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to commemorate the tournament’s 100th anniversary. Saudi Arabia is confirmed as host for 2034.
Infantino made these remarks during the European Football Clubs’ General Assembly in Rome, where he also addressed FIFA’s vision for the expanded Club World Cup.
The new 32-team format, launched in the United States during a record-breaking heatwave, saw Chelsea defeat Paris Saint-Germain to lift the trophy. Despite the excitement, the tournament drew criticism from players’ unions and officials — including PFA chief Maheta Molango — who warned that the crowded schedule could “devalue football.”
Infantino dismissed those concerns, calling the event “a massive success on every level.”
“When the Champions League started, its revenue was about 40 million euros. Today, it’s over 4 billion,” he said. “If the Club World Cup made 2 billion euros in 30 years, there’s no reason we can’t generate 200 billion in the next era. It’s about growth that benefits everyone — clubs, players, and fans.”
He highlighted the tournament’s impressive reach: “We welcomed 2.5 million fans into stadiums, averaging 40,000 per match. Only the Premier League surpasses that. The interest is global — and that’s what will drive the future of both domestic and international football.”
