The number one of FIFA announces for next December 20 “a summit of the World Cup every two years”. The plan is to reach a meeting with a common proposal on the reform of the international calendar: this is the objective expressed by Infantino after the hard positions of Europe and South America on the biennial World Cup.
More than an hour of press conference. To talk about FIFA number one Gianni Infantino after the meeting of the Council of the world’s highest football body. The FIFA president stressed that now is the time to discuss and assess each option for the future of football. Put the pros and cons of a World Cup every two years on the scale. Its objective is therefore to arrive at the meeting announced on December 20 (which will not be an official FIFA congress, scheduled for Doha in March) with a common proposal on the reform of the international calendar, after the hard positions of the Europe and South America. on the biennial World Cup. “We will discuss the project of a new international calendar at a summit convened specifically on December 20. – his words -, with all 211 national football federations. The consent of all is necessary, “added Infantino, adding that a decision does not necessarily have to come out of the game one way or another. That is why the time has come to look for a better schedule. Not with more matches, but with better competitions and matches. Football must continue to improve. We will only change something if we are convinced that everyone can benefit from it. If everyone can benefit from it, I don’t see anyone who can oppose it. ”
“Give more to fans, but without adding dates to the calendar”
“Football is a game of passion. On and off the pitch – said Infantino – everyone should make their voices heard, and through the consultation process, I discovered that many stakeholders never had the opportunity to adequately discuss this topic. My goal as president is to unite. And we have to be united because we are talking about a global game loved by billions of people. It is a speech about our children. Look to the future, be sure that our children’s children will continue to love the game we love today. It’s a challenge, new generations have new interests. We have to give more meaningful organizations to the fans, because we are all fans. But without adding additional dates to the calendar. It is a sporting and non-financial motivation that drives us. Let’s talk about football, no income. ”
United Arab Emirates Club World Cup in early 2022
During the press conference, Infantino also announced the location and period in which the next one will be played Club World Cup : in the United Arab Emirates in early 2022. He was scheduled to play in Japan, but the venue has changed due to the high number of coronavirus cases in the country. The tournament will see champions from different continents (including reigning European champions Chelsea) competing with the national champions of the host country. The exact date has not yet been announced.
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