Infantino hails ‘best World Cup ever’; Fifa to revisit three-team groups for 2026 – live | World Cup 2022

If you’re going to a home sport within the UK tomorrow, you may want to test the climate. The Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and St Mirren has been referred to as off due to “extensive stadium damage and flooding” at Fir Park, whereas within the EFL League Two Tranmere v Crawley and Northampton v Carlisle are additionally goners. Given the state of the streets surrounding many stadiums, we will anticipate extra to fall sufferer to the climate.

Thanks Luke, specifically for enduring that Infantino press convention so we didn’t have to. Which segues us properly right into a little bit of soccer geopolitics (of which there’s rather a lot today), and a lunchtime learn for you on Saudi Arabia’s soft-power ambitions and the way they could sportswash their method to touchdown the 2030 World Cup:

I’m off for some lunch – Tom Davies is right here to take the reins.

Less than two years in the past, Antoine Griezmann was wandering round like a misplaced soul in La Liga after a tricky time at Barcelona and a tough return to Atlético Madrid, however on Sunday he may lay declare to being France’s biggest participant.

While Kylian Mbappé may even be a double world champion if Les Bleus beat Argentina within the last on the Lusail Stadium and will win the match’s Golden Boot, Griezmann has been the cornerstone of France’s success since Didier Deschamps took over in 2012.

He has performed in a file 73 consecutive matches for France, led them to the Euro 2016 last, was man-of-the-match within the 2018 World Cup last and this 12 months has seamlessly switched roles to midfield to nice impact. A ahead who was Euro 2016’s high scorer and the silver boot winner because the second-highest goalscorer on the 2018 World Cup, Griezmann has adjusted his position after Deschamps was pressured to recalibrate his midfield due to the absences of N’golo Kanté, Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema.

There was no sulking from Griezmann, who has been revelling in his new position – his guile, craft and poise making him the right participant to wreak havoc between the strains.

“Being well physically helps me a lot. There are no problems in my private life,” stated Griezmann. “In my head I had tough moments at Barça and last year when I came back to Atlético. It was complicated, I had to make myself very small, I had to find myself, on and off the pitch.”

Griezmann has grown huge in stature once more. Very huge certainly. “GriezmannKante”, Pogba labelled his teammate on social media after the 2-0 semi-final win in opposition to Morocco. “He has surprised me but he has the quality and intelligence to do it. He looks more like Kante than Griezmann,” stated the previous Ivory Coast ahead Didier Drogba.

Griezmann’s joie de vivre off the pitch has additionally been key to France’s success. Beside being the hyperlink between the midfield and the entrance line on the pitch, he has additionally created a terrific environment inside the squad, bridging the younger technology with the staff leaders.

The 31-year-old Griezmann has been main the post-match celebration dances within the dressing room to the sounds of Gala’s ‘Freed from desire’ – yelling ‘Vive la Republique , vive la France!” While he has not scored in his last 15 games for France, Griezmann has become the national team’s finest purpose supplier of all time with 28 assists.

No surprise that he’s Deschamps’s most important man on the pitch, the one he discusses ways with. While Griezmann feels he owes Deschamps rather a lot for at all times retaining religion with him, the coach can also be conscious of the participant’s significance.

“He’s the type of player who can really change a team because he’s so hard working and so technically gifted,” stated Deschamps. “He’s playing a slightly different role in this World Cup, but it suits him well. He likes defending just as much as attacking and being a playmaker.

“Of course, his main responsibility isn’t ball winning; his left foot is so wonderful, he creates great chances for others. He’s someone who always thinks of the good of the team above everything else. He’s extremely hard working, probably more so than most players.” (Julien Pretot, Reuters)

The moral quandary surrounding Qatar 2022 was maybe summed up finest by Darren Huckerby, final week, on Twitter:

CNN are reporting that Fifa have rejected a request by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s president, to share a message of world peace earlier than the World Cup last kicks off on Sunday.

The newest Cold War Steve is true right here. Can Mbappé snatch that crown off Messi’s bonce?

Gabriel Clarke (of ITV fame) took to Twitter through the semi-final in opposition to Morocco to name France “talented yet cynical”.

Which jogs my memory of my instant evaluation of France v England within the quarter-final. England performed properly but when something I believe they wanted to be a bit smarter and a bit, properly, nastier. Only within the sense that there was a good bit of tactical fouling by France and England have been maybe a bit naive in the way in which they handled it.

Sid Lowe will see Gianni when he closes his eyes tonight.

A soccer story from the US, by Beau Dure, on the USWNT’s equal pay case:

The 2025 Club World Cup will function 32 groups, making the format related to the World Cup, the Fifa President Gianni Infantino stated on Friday.

Infantino additionally stated that the 2022 Club World Cup, historically held in December however delayed this 12 months due to the Fifa World Cup in Qatar, will likely be hosted by Morocco between 1-11 February 2023. The resolution was taken by the FIFA Council following its assembly on Friday. (Reuters)

It was fairly telling, the way in which Infantino drew consideration to the Fifa presidential ‘election’ in March, earlier than reminding us that his second time period will start then.

An e mail from Shiladitya Pandit:

“I don’t think anyone disagrees with the position that human rights advocacy is not a “political agenda”. And sure, Fifa and Infantino haven’t dealt with this migrant employee difficulty properly, in any respect, and the much less stated about Infantino’s terrible predecessor, the higher, as is the case with Gulf international locations and their perspective in the direction of overseas staff, not simply Qatar.

“What is really jarring is the extremely pearl-clutching and sanctimonious coverage of the issue. The same European governments that are crying their eyes dry over migrant workers’ deaths, are also sending back migrants to Syria and Afghanistan as we speak, and the others have visa policies so restrictive and utterly racist (UK, for example), that migrant workers, who are crucial to those economies, are forced to live in the shadow with fear and in awful conditions.”

“To make sure his World Cup isn’t sullied by political propaganda, I assume Robert waits until kick-off to turn on the match so that his ears aren’t assaulted by national anthems,” emails Kári Tulinius. “Presumably he also averts his eyes every time a national flag is on screen. For future serenity, I’d also advise him not to read World Cup coverage in a newspaper which reports on events.”

Barney Ronay was not impressed.

Well, that was all very Infantino. A couple of tricky-ish questions however nothing significantly troublesome for him to cope with.

The last query to Infantino is (roughly) – Does he suppose this match has helped to promote the Middle East as a area and enhance its picture?

“Yes. But you should ask really the people who came here from South America, North America, from Europe, From Asia … what has been achieved by welcoming the world is quite unique. Everyone who is coming here goes home with a nice memory … I think it’s definitely something the World Cup can do … it has to be an ambition and a mission of Fifa to organise its events in new countries … also the women’s World Cup going to Australia and New Zealand …

“If there is one thing this World Cup has shown us … when people come together to watch football the the atmosphere is extremely joyful and positive.”

As Roy Keane stated, this was about treating individuals with decency.

“Actually I think your opinion is utter nonsense and I agree with Infantino,” emails Robert. “Like many, I prefer not to have a political agenda pushed onto me while watching a football match. That’s my opinion. I don’t think I’m alone.”

I’m actually struggling to see how making any assertion in help of primary human rights is a ‘political agenda’.

Infantino is requested in regards to the conflicting figures on what number of staff died within the means of constructing the infrastructure, the stadiums and staging the general match: “Every person dying is one person too many … it’s a tragedy … for everyone … The figures you mention are two different figures … we have to be very precise about the figures and attentive to how we portray that … for me and for us, every loss of life is a tragedy. Everything we could do to protect the workers, we did it.”

Gabriel Clarke, of ITV, asks Infantino how he judges this match’s legacy, having beforehand stated it could be ‘transformative’.

“I will wait until the end of the final to judge this World Cup,” he replies. “But I think already now that the transformative legacy of this World Cup is that many people from around the world have come to Qatar and have discovered the Arab world which they didn’t know … and at the same time, the Qataris or the Saudis or Emiratis … have prepared themselves to welcome in the world. They have opened their houses, their doors, their country, to welcome everyone from everywhere. The main legacy is that those who were here … is what is said or thought is not true. You can spend time together and just have a good time and know each other better … These people will go home, and open up about their experiences … this is an important non-football legacy that this World Cup has brought.

“Let’s wait until the end … let’s remain focused … having contributed to the mutual understanding of a few people, or a few hundred, or thousand, or million people … I think it’s very positive.”

Infantino is requested why Fifa banned the OneLove armbands.

“There are different cultures, different ways of seeing things,” he replies. “As Fifa we have to take care of everyone. We do not discriminate against anyone on their values and feelings they have … when it comes to regulations and prohibitions … it’s about respecting regulations. In the field of play you play football. And that’s what we did … When it comes to the pitch, you need to respect football, you need to respect the field of play … the regulations are there to protect 211 football teams [within Fifa], and their fans, who want to come and enjoy football … and honestly I believe we are defending values, we are defending human rights, we are defending rights of everyone in Fifa, in the World Cup … but I also believe that those fans who come to the stadium … and all those billions who are watching the World Cup on TV … maybe … they have their own problems. They just want to spend 90 minutes … or 120 minutes, or 120 minutes with penalties … without having to think about anything else than just enjoying a moment of pleasure and joy and emotion … that’s what we have to do … we have to give them a moment of time in their life when they can forget about their problems and enjoy football … outside of the match everyone can express their opinions the way he wants … but let’s give this moment of joy to enjoy the game.”

Utter nonsense. The OneLove armband symbolises anti-discrimination and inclusivity. If Infantino is severe about ‘defending human rights’ then clearly, gamers ought to have been permitted to put on them.

Will Fifa share all the cash they’re making, EG with migrant staff, asks a journalist. “Fifa shares everything,” says Infantino. “All the revenues of Fifa are being redistributed and invested … look into our accounts and you will see that immediately.”

Infantino pauses for a little bit of live translation. “Does bullish have a negative connotation?” he asks his colleague alongside him. They resolve it doesn’t after his colleague checks the net dictionary.

Fifa to revisit 2026 three-team groups plan

As said, Morocco will host the 2022 Club World Cup. In 2023.

Infantino additionally stated there will likely be a girls’s futsal World Cup, which is sweet information, and one thing the gamers and groups have been campaigning for:

“When it comes to the international match calendar, we have to take into consideration the health and wellbeing of players,” Infantino says. “We need to ensure there is a rest period for players, a holiday period, ideally 72 hours between games … of course we need to be pragmatic on these topics … we will now consult on all these topics and elaborate.”

Morocco will host the 2022 Club World Cup, in February 2023, Infantino provides.

He goes on: “We approved new Fifa football agents regulations, which is a very important step, after two years of discussions … to bring more ‘professionality’ … including a mandatory licensing system … and the introduction of a cap on commission.”

“I am in my first term of office … on the 16th of March, when there is an election in Kigali, my second term will start.”

Infantino provides that he thinks the ladies’s Olympic competitors ought to include 16 groups, the identical as the lads’s. Currently it’s 12 groups.

The resolution by the council was to prolong the prevailing girls’s calendar till 2025, but in addition to create a new-look Club World Cup.

The host nation for the ladies’s World Cup in 2031 will likely be determined in 2025, Infantino provides.

A brand new Club World Cup, a 32-team match, will likely be staged in 2025, Infantino says.

“Two matches to go … I say to everyone [involved in the tournament] who is receiving praise … focus until the end,” Infantino says.

“When it comes to the council meeting, we could confirm the revenues … which was at $7.5bn … one billion more in a period that was hit by a pandemic … that is quite remarkable … congratulations to all those who helped to make this happen …

“The next cycle has a budget of $11bn … almost $10bn will go directly back to football.”

“For the first time ever, teams from all the continents moved to the knockout phase … we also for the first time had a woman referee a match, Stéphanie Frappart from France … and she did very well,” Infantino continues.

“A joyful atmosphere … people coming together, maybe forgetting some of their issues, and having pleasure … as you know it’s been an incredible success. We are approaching the 5bn mark [for TV viewers].”

‘Best World Cup ever,’ claims Infantino

Here he’s. Gianni Infantino is kicking off the World Cup last press convention now. He says he’s sorry for being late.

On International Migrants Day – and with two days to go earlier than the World Cup last – Amnesty International is reiterating its calls on Fifa and Qatar to finish human rights violations in opposition to migrant staff and set up a reparations programme for them.

They are staging a protest exterior the Qatari embassy in Brussels right this moment:

The Morocco head coach, Walid Regragui, says the World Cup third-place playoff is the “worst game” to play in however nonetheless needs his aspect to turn out to be the primary African nation to medal in a finals.

Having crushed Belgium, Spain and Portugal to attain the semis, Morocco misplaced 2-0 to reigning champions France as their record-breaking run got here to an finish in Qatar. They will now face Croatia at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday for the bronze medal, having already turn out to be the primary African nation to attain a World Cup semi-final.

While Regragui stated the match was “the worst game to play” and likened it to profitable the “booby prize”, he’s eager to achieve success.

“We would like things to have gone differently and played in the final but there is another game to play, we would like to be on the podium,” he stated. “We know that Croatia also want to finish in third place, we played them in our opening game so that will be nice. It will be no walk in the park physically, they have had one more rest day.

“We need to clear our heads a little but, when you come out of a semi-final, the first time we’ve ever been in one, emotions were running high and it was quite difficult. However, my players still have that appetite they want to finish well and they know they still have one game to play with all to play for. Finishing third is not the same as finishing fourth and we want to take a medal home with us.” (PA Media)

Right, I’ll go and hunt down another information, then.

If you see something humorous/newsworthy/notable and World Cup-related, you’ll be able to at all times e mail me or tweet @LukeMcLaughlin

Apparently the most recent efficiency of “Infantino – live!” has been delayed by an hour.

A World Cup story from Mark Sweney – form of.

“Retail sales unexpectedly fell in November as Black Friday discount deals and football’s World Cup failed to boost spending, with the cost of living crisis forcing households to cut budgets.

Sales in Great Britain dropped by 0.4% in November, against a forecast of a 0.3% rise by industry analysts, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).”

“Restlessness” is being reported among the many assembled media in Qatar. Waiting for Gianni …

The data I had was that Fifa’s World Cup last press convention would start at 9.30am UK time. Perhaps some technical gremlins are holding all of it up. Or maybe Gianni is simply attempting to whip up some pleasure and suspense by retaining us ready?

What have we discovered from Qatar 2022? Max Rushden and friends focus on the controversies and moral problems with the previous few weeks in right this moment’s Football Daily Podcast:

Fifa’s World Cup last press convention, that includes Gianni Infantino, is moments away. How far off-piste is he keen to go?

Over on Sky Sports News, Patrice Evra gave a blast of La Marseillaise whereas signing off from an interview trying forward to Sunday’s last.

Which jogs my memory of this wonderful article by Alex Marshall from 2015:

“The Marseillaise meant everything to the French again during the second world war, when it was sung by the resistance, having been banned by the Vichy government. Afterwards it somehow kept that vitality, becoming a rallying cry to rebuild the devastated country, with “To arms, citizens” proving simply as helpful in motivating bricklayers because it had been in galvanising troopers.

“But since then, there is no denying that the song has become uncomfortable. It was often sung during France’s occupation of Algeria and its brutal, eight-year-long war of independence. The Beatles’ use of it in All You Need is Love and Serge Gainsbourg’s brilliant reggae cover – the hilarious Aux Armes et cætera – gave it a brief respite from that image, even for a few years making the anthem cool, but the fact that French nationalists tried to beat up Gainsbourg for his cheek says a lot about its political associations.

“In 2001, it was booed by French-Algerians in the first match between the two countries. In 2002, Corsicans booed it so loudly at a cup final that the then president, Jacques Chirac, stormed out and the match was allowed to restart only after he had calmed down. The booing has not really stopped since.”

First issues first – or second, in fact – have a peek at right this moment’s World Cup briefing. Sub-plots aplenty are to be loved in Sunday’s last, writes Will Unwin:

Preamble