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Infantino to avoid scrutiny with virtual 2026 draw
The Guardian
|November 14, 2024
Gianni Infantino will avoid any scrutiny of the controversial decision to give the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia next month after Fifa opted to stage the qualifying draw for the 2026 tournament as a virtual event.
Saudi Arabia's successful 2034 bid will be confirmed by acclamation at an extraordinary Fifa congress, to be held online on 11 December, while the Guardian has learned that the draw for European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup two days later will also take place remotely.
Infantino is under pressure to explain several recent controversial decisions from Fifa, particularly giving Saudi Arabia World Cup hosting rights without a vote and its organisation of next year's Club World Cup, and has opted to keep the world's media away from Zurich.
The 54-year-old has not given a press conference since he was re-elected president at the 73rd Fifa congress in Rwanda in March 2023, causing surprise by refusing to speak after this year's congress in Bangkok.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 14, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
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