Fifa president Gianni Infantino hints at MORE winter World Cups with Saudi Arabia 2030 bid expected
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hinted there will be more winter World Cups on the horizon.
The tournament in Qatar caused great controversy when it was announced that it would be played in November and December.
It had to be played in winter to tackle the extreme heat, with temperatures still regularly exceeding 30C, even in December.
Infantino has claimed the World Cup in Qatar has been the “best ever” and even suggested the level of football has been higher.
He has put this down to the fact it is being played in the middle of the season rather than players having to perform “at the end of an exhausting campaign”.
He added: “A very important element, is we have to take into consideration is the health and well-being of players hence four-game window, rather than two-game windows.
“We need to make sure there is a rest period for the players.
“We will consult on these topics and elaborate.”
The next bid that could be played in the winter, should it be successful, is the Saudi Arabia-Egypt-Greece bid for the 2030 competition.
Saudi Arabia are believed to be the lead contributor to the tournament and would pay for at least some of the other two countries’ costs.
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While praising the ongoing tournament – ahead of Sunday’s final between France and Argentina – Infantino admitted he was happy with the “joyful atmosphere”.
He said: “The World Cup has been an incredible success on all fronts.
“The main one being the fans, the behaviour, the joyful atmosphere, the bringing of people together.
“The fans meeting the Arab world, it has been very important for the future of all of us.”