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FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to hold the World Cup every three years after declaring the Qatar 2022 tournament the “best ever”.
Ever since the Gulf state were awarded hosting rights to the World Cup in 2010, the competition has been overshadowed by allegations of bribery and focus on Qatar’s human rights record.
Much-maligned president Infantino accused Western nations of “hypocrisy” over their criticism of Qatar, who have come under fire for their treatment of migrant workers and the LGBT community.
However, prior to Argentina’s stunning victory over France in Sunday’s final, Infantino hailed the tournament as the best World Cup ever, referencing the historic run of Morocco to the semi-finals and other shock results.
“Thanks to everyone involved, Qatar, all the volunteers to make this the best World Cup ever. Matches have been played without incidents. It has been a very joyful atmosphere,” Infantino told the press.
“There is something happening when we talk about football becoming truly global, with an African team [Morocco] reaching the semi-final for the first time.
“We also had a woman [Stephanie Frappart] referee a match for the first time. It has been an incredible success, approaching five billion in terms of viewing figures. The fans meeting the Arab world, it has been very important for the future of all of us.”
Infantino also affirmed that a change in format could on the menu for the 2026 tournament, where the tournament will increase from 32 teams to 48, adding: “Here the groups of four have been absolutely incredible.
“Until the last minute of the last match you would not know who goes through. We have to revisit or at least re-discuss the format. This is something that will certainly be on the agenda in the next meeting.”
Now, a report from the Daily Mail claims that the FIFA president is aiming to capitalize on the success of the Qatar tournament by hosting the World Cup every three years instead of every four.
The 52-year-old supposedly believes that hosting the World Cup during the winter was a “game-changer” and he is now looking for other ways to ‘globalize’ the sport.
Infantino’s innovation reportedly has support from Africa and Asia, but European and South American nations – who expressed their disapproval at the concept of a biennial World Cup – are likely to vote against the plans.
With the 2024-30 international calendar close to being finalized, Infantino will have to wait until after the 2030 World Cup before implementing his ideas, but he intends to remain in his position as FIFA president for the next nine years until 2031.
Talks are already said to have begun behind closed doors over a triennial World Cup after the Qatar tournament brought in record revenues of £6.2bn – £840m more than the 2018 edition in Russia.
