Premier League season could be set for drastic changes thanks to FIFA's World Cup plans

Gianni Infantino has suggested that the Premier League could be played in June, as he proposed a shift in the club football calendar. However, the FIFA president denied that this decision was influenced by the World Cup potentially returning to the Middle East.

The 2022 World Cup marked the first time the tournament was held in December, as the extreme heat in Qatar made a traditional summer event unfeasible. This necessitated a pause and a reshuffling of the entire club schedule.

Saudi Arabia has been awarded the 2034 World Cup, which will likely face similar challenges due to daily temperatures ranging from highs of 39 degrees to lows of 25 degrees. If the same approach is taken, major leagues may need to adjust for another winter World Cup.

Speaking at the European Football Clubs annual assembly in Rome, Infantino argued that June is the ideal month for football and should be utilised more by European leagues. He insisted his suggestion was 'not just about one World Cup'.

As quoted by the Mirror, he said: "We are already into the nitty-gritty, we are discussing all the time. It's not just about one World Cup - it's a general reflection - even to play in some European countries in July is very, very hot, so maybe we have to think.

"Actually, the best month to play football, which is June, is not used very much in Europe. Maybe there are ways we can optimise the calendar, but we are discussing it and we will see when we come to some conclusions.

"We just have to have an open mind. It is a fact that in the world, if you want to play at the same time everywhere, you can play in March or in October, most likely. Because in December you cannot play in one part of the world and in July you cannot play in another part of the world.

"We need to consider all these elements when we speak about national team competitions, national team release, about club competitions, and see how we can make it better for the benefit of everyone. So there is a lot at stake."

Infantino remains optimistic there won't be visa issues for nations competing at next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada - though the American climate raised lots of questions during the Club World Cup in the summer.

Enzo Maresca, who led Chelsea to glory in New Jersey, questioned whether staging it across the pond was the correct call. The Blues had to leave the field due to fixtures being postponed owing to the conditions.

"I think it's a joke, to be honest," he said. "It's not football.

"It's completely something new; I struggle to understand. I can understand if it's security reasons, but if you suspend seven or eight games, then it's probably not the right place to do the competition. It's not normal to suspend the game.

"In a World Cup, how many games are suspended? Zero probably. In Europe how many games get suspended? Zero."

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.