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4h ago

Infantino Opens Door to Moving World Cups Out of Summer as FIFA Reviews Post-2030 Calendar

FIFA has a working group studying options beyond 2030 due to heat risk and scheduling strain.

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Soccer Football - FIFA President Gianni Infantino Media Briefing - Shangri-La Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey - February 15, 2019 FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a media briefing REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Overview

  • Gianni Infantino urged an "open mind" on tournament timing, noting that global conditions may favor March or October over the traditional June–July window.
  • The international match calendar is locked through 2030, with the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico set for June–July and 2030 hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco with centenary matches in South America.
  • With Saudi Arabia hosting in 2034, a winter World Cup is widely expected, and Infantino floated reshaping domestic windows, including the prospect of Premier League fixtures in June.
  • Infantino signaled interest in making the Club World Cup "even bigger" after this summer’s 32‑team U.S. edition, despite heat disruptions and formal pushback from leagues and players’ unions.
  • He said FIFA expects no visa issues for teams at the 2026 tournament following talks with a White House task force under President Trump, and he appealed for calm around Israel’s qualifiers following news of a Gaza ceasefire phase.