FIFA’s ruling council are set to discuss president Gianni Infantino’s plans for two new global tournaments when it meets later this week.
Infantino wants to introduce a ‘mini World Cup’, which would mirror the format of UEFA’s Nations League, and an expanded version of FIFA’s Club World Cup.
FIFA’s ruling council meets in Kigali, Rwanda, with the two tournaments featuring among the items for discussion on Friday according to the agenda document.
However, there has been backlash to the plans already, with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin describing them as “highly cynical and ruthless mercantilism” along with accusing FIFA of selling the soul of the game.
The tournaments have the potential to be highly lucrative for FIFA, with Infantino having revealed to FIFA Council members in May that his plans are backed by a “solid and serious” group of investors willing to spend £19 billion over a 12-year cycle starting in 2021.
The letter did not outline the identity of the investors but several media reports have stated that Japanese conglomerate SoftBank Group is heading the consortium, which also includes Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund.
The proposals, which would bring about major changes to the international calendar, outline what would effectively be a mini World Cup, featuring eight international teams, every two years in addition to the traditional event.
The tournament, known as the ‘Final 8’, would be the climax of a proposed global NationsLeague competition, taking place in October and November of every odd year starting from 2021. Meanwhile, the Confederations Cup would be abolished.
The annual Club WorldCup, which currently features seven teams, would be expanded to 24 teams and take place just once every four years, according to the proposals.
