TA: The 2034 World Cup is expected to be held in early 2035, and the Club World Cup may be expanded rather than cancelled.

According to The Athletic, the 2034 World Cup is expected to be held in early 2035, and the Club World Cup may be expanded rather than cancelled.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is the first to be held outside the regular northern hemisphere summer, with the games rescheduled to November and December to avoid the extreme summer heat in the Gulf region. The move caused considerable controversy at the time, as it meant European leagues were forced to take a break mid-season, but it did not cause any long-term disruption and instead allowed players to look fit for the World Cup.

However, many Europeans hope that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be an exception. However, since Saudi Arabia has won the right to host the 2034 World Cup, it is still possible that the World Cup will not be held in the northern hemisphere summer. FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the topic at a meeting of European football clubs in Rome on Thursday.

Infantino said: "If you want the game to be held at a suitable time in all places, it would be March or October, because in December, some places are not suitable for hosting games, and in July, other places are not suitable for hosting games. The specific date of the 2034 World Cup has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be held in winter again, most likely in early 2035, to avoid the Muslim holy month of Ramadan (Ramadan in 2034 is in November and December).

Infantino also said: "We are already discussing details, we have been discussing this issue with everyone, this is not just a World Cup issue, but a general thinking. Even in July, it is very, very hot to play in some European countries, so maybe we need to think about it "Look at the best months to play. Maybe we can optimize the schedule, but we are discussing and we have to keep an open mind."

The international competition calendar that provides a framework for global football events has been determined until 2030, but the schedule for the next cycle has been the focus of fierce debate. Last year, major domestic leagues joined forces with the European branch of players union FIFPro to complain to FIFA to the European Commission, accusing the global body of failing to respond effectively and conduct proper consultations on the schedule.

Various leagues and labor unions believe that FIFA abused its dominant market position by scheduling the Club World Cup in June and July, which will have a chain reaction on the start of the European domestic season. FIFA responded to the complaint in July last year, saying it had held consultations that included the participation of the players' union and various league bodies.

In his speech in Rome, Infantino also praised the success of the Club World Cup, and the participating club owners also held the same view. There is currently no sign that FIFA will remove the Club World Cup from the calendar, and the tournament is more likely to be expanded than cancelled.