Re-elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino responded to the criticism of the, according to many, overcrowded playing calendar during the FIFA congress in Rwanda. The re-elected president of the world football association on Thursday takes a different view.
Infantino counters criticism of playing calendar: “More football should be played”
This criticism was already there in response to the lack of peace around the World Cup in Qatar and was also released this week due to the sharp increase in the number of matches during the 2026 World Cup and the expansion of the World Cup for clubs. “There may be too much football in some places, but not everywhere. In fact, not enough football is played in many parts of the world. We need more leagues, not less. We want football to develop globally,” Infantino countered, revealing that FIFA is also looking at a Women’s Club World Cup and a FIFA World Series, which should be held every two years in March.
“There’s a double standard”
Infantino pointed out that the criticism about the crowded football calendar mainly comes from countries such as England, Italy and Spain and also denied that there is an agreement with Saudi Arabia about sponsoring the Women’s World Cup in 2027. The Swiss spoke to the journalists present on their persistent criticism of FIFA and also did not understand why it would be a problem if Saudi Arabia sponsored the tournament. “There’s a double standard that I don’t understand. We have spoken to each other. But it has not led to a contract,” said Infantino, who called the fuss about this a “storm in a teacup”.
The re-elected FIFA president then addressed the broadcasters and sponsors. Who in his view should pay more for the Women’s World Cup. “FIFA receives ten to a hundred times less from public broadcasters. For the Women’s World Cup than for the Men’s World Cup. Do you think that’s normal? And at the same time those broadcasters, who are paid with tax money. They criticize FIFA for not paying men and women equally. And then it is very welcome if sponsors from Qatar or Saudi Arabia are willing to pay a lot. Of course we are looking at how we can involve Saudi sponsors in women’s or men’s football. FIFA is for all countries,” the re-elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.
