FIFA President Wants to Continue Hosting the World Cup in Winter

FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently attracted attention by proposing a change to the international match calendar to facilitate holding the World Cup in winter in the future.

Speaking at the annual conference of European clubs in Rome, the FIFA chief said this is the right time to "expand thinking" and consider a new approach to the global match schedule.

According to current plans, the 2034 World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia during summer. However, with daytime temperatures possibly reaching 39°C, experts worry that playing conditions will be too harsh. Moving the tournament to winter, similar to Qatar 2022, is considered the most feasible option, as December temperatures in Saudi Arabia hover around 22°C, which is much more ideal for players and fans.

Infantino acknowledged that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the first tournament held in winter, has become a "reference milestone" for FIFA. Although this adjustment forced European leagues to start earlier and finish later, the benefits for players’ health and the quality of competition are undeniable.

Infantino emphasized: “In fact, many European countries do not choose to play football in June, which is the most ideal period for the sport. We should consider optimizing the calendar, not just for one World Cup, but for the entire global football system.”

He also pointed out that due to different climates between the two hemispheres, simultaneous worldwide competitions are unfeasible: “In December, some places are unplayable; in July, it’s too hot in others. Therefore, we must carefully consider the scheduling for both national team and club competitions.”

If the proposal to alternate the World Cup in winter is approved, European seasons may extend until June instead of ending in mid-May as they currently do, potentially causing a “revolution” in the international football calendar.

So far, 19 teams have officially qualified for next year’s tournament in the United States. Among them, Argentina and Brazil are the first South American teams to qualify, while Japan is the first non-host team to secure a spot in the expanded 48-team World Cup. European powerhouses such as England, France, Spain, and Portugal are also undefeated and almost certain to participate next summer.

With the idea of hosting an annual winter World Cup, Gianni Infantino is showing determination to reshape the global football structure—a move that may spark debate but also offers a chance for the world’s most popular sport to better adapt to global climate conditions.