It's nearly a decade since "FIFA Gate" in 2015 but transparency is still severely lacking in many areas under Gianni Infantino. Cleary by design. Here is a thread to look at the inner workings and associated politics of the governing body and, by extension, the confederations and national associations involved. FIFA sambas the 2027 World Cup all the way to Brazil: https://www.insideworldfootball.com...torial-fifa-sambas-2027-world-cup-way-brazil/ FIFA’s lawyers abandon ship as move to Miami encounters heavy seas: https://www.insideworldfootball.com...bandon-ship-move-miami-encounters-heavy-seas/
So this is the correct thread for opining, "Infantino will be perfectly happy to let the Intercontinental idea die in the crib like he did the Global Nations League and biennial World Cup, 'cause he's notorious for demanding two things and 'settling' for what he wanted all along", right? Normally, I'm in lock-and-step with IWF's arguments, but the below is just nitpicky:
I have no problem with Brazil getting the 2027 WWC, even if FIFA did try to influence things. It hasn't been hosted in Conmebol before. I'm just glad we got an actual vote at the FIFA Congress. That's no longer a given with the FIFA Council shenanigans. In other news... FIFA statement on UEC reflects an uneasy balance of power: https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/05/29/fifa-statement-uec-reflects-uneasy-balance-power/
FIFA faces losing control of transfer markets as lawyer crisis reaches tipping point; https://www.insideworldfootball.com...-markets-lawyer-crisis-reaches-tipping-point/
They changed the statutes at last month's congress so they can move from Zurich, although I have no idea where they would go.
African officials and member associations warned not to be ‘complicit in the suicide of CAF’: https://www.insideworldfootball.com...ssociations-warned-not-complicit-suicide-caf/ Between this and the poorly planned (expanded) Club World Cup, I'm starting to think Infantino is just incompetent when it comes to the sport's commercial side. At least in situations where the competition doesn't "sell itself". Be it broadcasting rights or sponsorships deals. I still don't see the point of the African Football League (i.e. Super League) the way it's been described. Just make the changes you want to do to the CAF Champions League.
FIFA and Konami push the partnership button for two esports World Cups: https://www.insideworldfootball.com...sh-partnership-button-two-esports-world-cups/ Still no FIFA branded game. The (failed) negotiations with EA are yet another example of Infantino's incompetence in the commercial space.
So the votes to award the 2030 and 2034 WCs will be held as part of a combined ballot. https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/267fbfe0edfe0f3b/original/Circular-1898_Upcoming-FIFA-Congresses.pdf It'll be interesting to see the revised revenue forecast for the 2023-26 4-year cycle; the USD$11bn approved last year was based on the 2026 WC format featuring 80 games instead of 104 and it didn't include the expanded Club WC.
Looks like Infantino will get to keep “his man” at CAF: https://www.reuters.com/sports/socc...-re-election-run-african-football-2024-10-25/
Promotion for Kevin Lamour who moves from UEFA Deputy General Secretary to FIFA Chief Operating Officer. https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/...-lamour-joins-fifa-as-chief-operating-officer