The World Cup is forever evolving but no previous change came close to the threat this tournament faced had Fifa president Gianni Infantino got his way.
And after promise of a Uefa boycott, and a potential challenger to his presidency at March’s election in Concacaf chief Victor Montagliani, as exclusively reported by The i Paper, Infantino has at least climbed down from his grand plans. And now there are calls for him to quit.
All change? Please! Here is how Fifa can save itself and then restore the World Cup to how it should be. And yes, most importantly of all, that means no more Shakira. Whenever. Wherever.
Don’t elect an egomaniac
Few would have believed in 2015 that a decade later the footballing world would soften on Sepp Blatter, but here we are.
Infantino was the Uefa general secretary before replacing Blatter, and upon election in 2016 he vowed to protect the sport’s “integrity” after scandals took centre stage.
A self-serving reign has followed. His astonishing “Today I feel…” speech in 2022 was a generational glimpse into a narcissist’s mind, while offering Donald Trump the Fifa Peace Prize evoked a leader more interested in political brown-nosing than proper governance of the world’s favourite game.
Elect someone who knows ball
Just watch…
Limit the presidency to one term
How do you stop a Fifa president from slowly becoming more tyrannical? Limit them to one four-year term. They should be stewards, not overlords, and regular change would prevent lengthy reigns.
There have been just three presidents since 1974 – Joao Havelange (1974-1998), Blatter (1998-2015) and Infantino (2016-present) – and that isn’t right.
Drop the World Cup back to 32 teams
The millennial in me wants the next men’s World Cup to revert to 32 teams but knows 64 is more likely. Either way, a format that prevents teams who finish third in their group from reaching the knockout stage. With 32, there is greater quality and jeopardy, although the argument for 64 is opening the door for more nations to have their Cape Verde moment.
Just one host nation
Think traversing one continent was bad? The next men’s World Cup will take place across three, a ridiculous footprint when this tournament is better staged in one nation. Like, er, Saudi Arabia 2034.
After that, give it to Australia. Go back to Japan. Pick a sport-obsessed country in South America. Just somewhere fun and accessible and welcoming where a festival of football is front and centre.
Growing the game does not have to mean constant expansion and multiple hosts.
Ignore world leaders’ phone calls
If you are the Fifa president and the leader of the free world calls you mid-World Cup asking for their nation’s striker to be unsuspended for the next match, do not listen to them. In fact, don’t even answer the phone. Have some integrity.
Ban influencers
Few enjoyed the constant shots of football stars and celebrities at the World Cup – remember the size of David Beckham’s wine glass? – and absolutely no one wanted to see countless influencers and streamers attend matches and broadcast their inane videos when those seats were better filled by actual fans.
It was an insult. The percentage of corporate seats should be limited, and the World Cup final in particular sounded far quieter (and worse) because real supporters of Argentina and Spain had been priced out.
Cap ticket prices
On that note, Fifa – this non-profit organisation (ha!) – should install a cap on ticket prices. No match should cost anything near four figures, unless paying in Thai baht or Colombian pesos, and fans should not have to shell out thousands on a trip to watch their team once or twice.
Hopefully Uefa sticks to its promise for Euro 2028 where 40 per cent of tickets will cost £30 or £60, and there is no dynamic pricing. And hopefully the UK does not increase the cost of public transport disproportionately. The same goes for hotels and Airbnbs, but we won’t hold our breath.
Introduce that viral penalty shootout idea
An actual football idea, and something that would properly shake up the World Cup. It did the rounds this summer but was actually from a paper in 2006, with the idea that a penalty shootout takes place after 90 minutes when a knockout tie is drawn.
The winner of that shootout then heads into extra-time 0.5 goals ahead. It eradicates 30 minutes of stale football and guarantees a winner without the harshest of endings.
Limit Shakira to one song (and show)
You’ve had your fun, Shakira. It was pointed out that the singer has appeared at more World Cups (four) than her ex, the Spanish defender Gerard Piqué.
At the last World Cup, she performed at the opening ceremony and then basically did the same routine again at the half-time final show. Which reminds us…
No half-time final show
Bin it. Argentina and Spain players were made to wait 27 minutes as Shakira invaded the pitch along with Madonna, the original Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Justin Bieber, BTS, that Ted Lasso guy and Coldplay.
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, though, fair enough.
No more hydration breaks
Bring back halves and make quarters a “remember when” question for quizzes of the future. Given it cannot be changed now, the 2026 World Cup is the only time we ever want there to be hydration* breaks.
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Just no Infantino
Your time is up.
Read more
Kevin Garside: It’s over for Gianni Infantino
Michael Hincks: Seven outrageous ways Infantino’s grubby plan will ruin the World Cup
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