FIFA continues to work on a profound restructuring of the international calendar with a view to the next decade. The president of the highest body in world football, Gianni Infantino, revealed during the last assembly of the former ECA, now European Football Clubs (EFC), some of the changes that are coming in the organization of club and national team tournaments.
According to Infantino, FIFA is seeking to conduct a general review of all national and international competitions to make the most of the calendar year.
The idea of moving the major national team tournaments (World Cup, Euros) away from the summer in Europe and America is just the starting point for what is coming globally with a view to 2034, when the World Cup returns to the Middle East (Saudi Arabia).
More Matches, More Money Distributed, and a Challenge: Rapid Adaptation
In principle, Infantino is committed to adapting the calendar by freeing up months such as October and/or March for the 'prime' national team tournaments. Similarly, the summer would be fully utilized by the clubs, while the idea of reducing the number of breaks is also still on the table.
"The best month to play football, which is June, is not fully utilized in Europe. Perhaps there are ways to optimize the calendar, but we are discussing it and we will see when we reach conclusions."
Furthermore, the expansion of participating national teams and clubs in FIFA tournaments, while increasing the number of matches, allows for the distribution of more money. UEFA has operated under this concept with the format change in its club competitions, while federations are doing the same by restructuring domestic tournaments.
For example, what the RFEF and the FICG (Italy) have done with their Super Cups, opting for a 'final four' format far from their borders. The teams, yes, must prepare to face increasingly demanding schedules, with up to 70 games per season.
Among the inevitable adjustments would be the expansion of the transfer markets, as well as the number of players allowed per squad. In any case, the key is to make sustainable long-term decisions, facilitating the adaptation of the entire football ecosystem.
The calendar changes respond to the climate challenge
Beyond the economic aspect, Gianni Infantino believes that changes to the calendar should respond to climate evolution on the planet. Winters and summers are becoming more extreme in many regions and, therefore, it is inevitable to move major tournaments, as happened with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (played between November and December).
Something similar will happen in 2034, as the heat in Saudi Arabia is relentless (temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius) in the middle of the year. Even in North America, clubs already had a hard time during the last Club World Cup, a scenario that will be repeated in 2026 with the full World Cup.
"In December, you can't play in one part of the world, nor in July in another. We must consider all these elements."
Although international competitions seem to take all of FIFA's attention, Infantino also respects the position of the clubs. Therefore, he understands that the regulations for the release of players and the dates of the breaks must be thoroughly reviewed.
We must analyze the release of players, national competitions, and see how to improve everything for the benefit of all. There is a lot at stake," the FIFA chief emphasized. The first changes will be implemented starting in 26/27, after the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.