Infantino keen to keep 'open mind' over winter World Cups

Fifa president cold on La Liga and Serie A playing domestic league matches abroad

- Nick Ames

Gianni Infantino has opened the door to further winter World Cups and Club World Cups, saying football needs to “keep an open mind” about moving major tournaments away from the summer.

Discussions are under way about the calendar for the period after 2030, which is a particular point of tension given the increased squeeze being applied by expanded competitions. Fifa has set up a working group to examine the issue, and the global governing body has given itself a headache by awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. That tournament will almost certainly be staged in the winter, as Qatar 2022 was. Infantino suggested the sport should get used to untying itself from the European summer.

“We are already into the nitty-gritty, we are discussing all the time,” he said. “It’s not just about one World Cup, it’s a general reflection. Even to play in some European countries in July it is very, very hot. The best month to play football, which is June, is not used very much in Europe.

“Maybe there are ways we can optimise the calendar, but we are discussing it and we will see when we come to some conclusions. We just have to keep an open mind.”